Edward M. Kay
Partner
Location: Chicago, IL
Phone: 312.606.7595
Email: ekay@clausen.com
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