John J. Carl was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1944 and grew up in Rutherford, New Jersey. Mr. Carl did his BA (Philosophy) at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary, Granby, Mass; his MA (English) at University of Notre Dame, So. Bend, Ind.; his M. Th. (Theology) at St. Anthony-on Hudson, Rensselaer, New York; and was a Ph.D. Candidate at University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.

Mr. Carl received his law degree from the University of Seton Hall, School of Law. While at Seton Hall, he served two years as copy editor for the Legislative Journal and taught writing to college students contemplating law school. He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar and U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in 1983.

Prior to practicing law, Mr. Carl taught English on various academic levels, including Graduate School, and served as a high school department chairman. He also taught religion and Latin, and coached various sports.

Starting as a paralegal while in law school, Mr. Carl's legal practice has been primarily defense litigation. For the last 15 plus years, he has specialized in Workers Compensation. He has served as a municipal prosecutor, civil litigation arbitrator. He has tried cases in Superior Court, Municipal Courts and Workers Compensation Courts.