Biography

Edward M. “Ed” Kay is a partner in the Appellate Practice Group, and has practiced at Clausen Miller for over 30 years.

Ed is a nationally recognized post-trial and appellate attorney who has prosecuted over 500 appeals throughout the United States at all state and federal appellate court levels. Ed is routinely retained as appellate counsel following the bad verdict to either rehabilitate the case via appeal or leverage out a favorable defense settlement. Some examples of Ed’s work: Turner v. Williams, 762 N.E.2d 70 (Ill. App. 2001) reversing and remanding for a new trial a $5.8 million verdict; Siler v. Montague Associates, 652 N.Y.S.2d 315 (N.Y.A.D. 1997) reversing on liability and remanding for an apportionment of fault between negligent and intentional tortfeasors; Williams v. Browning Ferris, 93-L-4590 (Circuit Court of Cook County) plaintiff persuaded to settle $6 million wrongful death verdict for $3 million during post-trial briefing.

Ed acted as lead counsel in Ready v. United/Goedecke Services, Inc., 238 Ill. 2d 582 (2010), which the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin described one of the most significant decisions because it confirmed the right of a non-settling defendant to point the finger at the so-called “empty chair” in cases involving multiple defendants.

Ed has also developed a “litigation triage” practice for clients facing difficult trials or plaintiffs making unreasonable policy limit demands. Ed’s skills at oral and written advocacy are used by clients to “soften up” plaintiffs prior to trial to make them more receptive to settlement on defense terms. Moreover, Ed’s work during all phases of a trial in preparing motions for a judgment as a matter of law, motions in limine and for directed verdict, and jury instructions are essential for laying the necessary groundwork for a successful appeal.

Ed is a fellow in the prestigious American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, founded in 1990 to advance the highest standards and practices of appellate advocacy and recognize outstanding appellate lawyers. Academy membership is restricted to a person who possesses a reputation of distinction as an appellate lawyer.

Ed is AV® Preeminent™ rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Ed’s AV® rating of a 5.0/5.0 by his peers is a reflection of his expertise, experience, integrity and overall professional excellence.

• Ready v. United/Goedecke Services, Inc.,

  238 Ill. 2d 582 (2010) (tort litigation/sole proximate cause)

• Ahmed v. Pickwick Place Owners' Ass'n and Vista Property Management, Inc.,

  896 N.E.2d 854, (Ill. App. 2008) (premises liability/wrongful death)

• Jackson v. Commonwealth Edison Co.,

  105 Ill. 2d 501, 475 N.E.2d 879 (1985) (employment law)

• Department of Revenue v. Heartland Investments, Inc.,

  106 Ill. 2d 19, 476 N.E.2d 413 (1985) (tax)

• Peoples Gas Light and Coke Co. v. Illinois Commerce Comm'n,

  175 Ill. App. 3d 39, 529 N.E.2d 671 (1988) (administrative law)

• Fidelity & Casualty Co. of N.Y. v. Mobay Chemical Corp.,

  252 Ill. App. 3d 992, 625 N.E.2d 151 (1989) (liability insurance coverage)

• Landstrom v. Department of Children & Family Services,

  892 F.2d 670 (7th Cir. 1990) (civil rights)

• TIE Systems Inc. v. Telcom Midwest,

  203 Ill. App. 3d 142, 560 N.E.2d 1080 (1990) (intellectual property)

• Libby-Owens-Ford Co. v. Ins. Co. of N.A.,

  9 F.3d 422 (6th Cir. 1993) (first-party property insurance)

• Hatch v. Durocher Dock & Dredge, Inc.,

  33 F.3d 545 (6th Cir. 1994) (admiralty and maritime)

• Siller v. Montague Associates,

  652 N.Y.S. 2d 315 (N.Y. App. 1997) (casualty defense)

• Sacramona v. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.,

  106 F.3d 444 (1st Cir. 1997) (products liability)

• West v. The Budd Co.,

  167 F.3d 776 (2d Cir. 1999) (products liability);

• St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Honeywell, Inc.,

  611 N.W.2d 51 (Minn. App. 2000) (subrogation/loss recovery)

• Turner v. Willliams,

  326 Ill. App. 3d 541, 762 N.E.2d 70 (2001) (casualty defense/reversing $6.5 million verdict)

• First Ins. Funding v. Federal Ins. Co.,

  284 F. 3d 799 (7th Cir. 2002) (fidelity/surety coverage)

• Atwell v. Lisle Park Dist.,

  286 F. 3d 987 (7th Cir. 2002) (public employment/civil rights)

• Chicago

  Illinois 60603

  10 South LaSalle Street

  Chicago, Illinois 60603

  T: 312.855.1010 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partner: Dennis D. Fitzpatrick

• New York

  New York 10005

  28 Liberty Street 39th Floor

  New York, New York 10005

  T: 212.805.3900 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 212.805.3939 Office Managing Partner: Carl M. Perri

• Mission Viejo

  California 92691

  27285 Las Ramblas

  Suite 200

  Mission Viejo, California 92691

  T: 949.260.3100 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 949.260.3190 Office Managing Partner: Ian R. Feldman

• Florham Park

  New Jersey 07932

  100 Campus Drive

  Florham Park, New Jersey 07932

  T: 973.410.4130 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 973.410.4169 Office Managing Partner: Carl M. Perri

• Michigan City

  Indiana 46360

  200 Commerce Square

  Michigan City, Indiana 46360

  T: 219.262.6106 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partners: Paige M. Neel, Kimbley A. Kearney

• Milwaukee

  Wisconsin 53202

  250 E. Wisconsin Avenue

  Suite 1800

  Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

  T: 414.279.5525 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partner: James M. Weck

• Stamford

  Connecticut 06902

  68 Southfield Avenue

  2 Stamford Landing Suite 100

  Stamford, Connecticut 06902

  T: 203.921.0303 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 212.805.3939 Office Managing Partner: Matthew J. Van Dusen

• Tampa

  Florida 33609

  4830 West Kennedy Boulevard, One Urban Center

  Suite 600

  Tampa, Florida 33609

  T: 813.509.2578 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partner: Dennis D. Fitzpatrick Co-Managing Partner: Kelly M. Vogt

• San Francisco

  California 94111

  100 Pine Street

  Suite 1250

  San Francisco, California 94111

  T: 415.287.2744 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 949.260.3190 Office Managing Partner: Ian R. Feldman

• Houston

  Texas 77019

  2929 Allen Parkway

  American General Center, Suite 200

  Houston, Texas 77019

  T: 346.229.4612 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partner: Ramy P. Elmasri

• Dallas

  Texas 75201

  325 N. Saint Paul Street

  Suite 3100

  Dallas, Texas 75201

  T: 469.942.8635 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partner: Ramy P. Elmasri

• Boca Raton

  Florida 33434

  7777 Glades Road

  Suite 405

  Boca Raton, Florida 33434

  T: 561.765.5305 TF: 800.826.3505 F: 312.606.7777 Office Managing Partner: Dennis D. Fitzpatrick Co-Managing Partner: Kelly M. Vogt