Kirk Dillard concentrates his practice in business and governmental relations, and in the representation of manufacturers in product liability prevention and litigation.
Before Kirk left Lord, Bissell & Brook at the invitation of Illinois Governor Jim Edgar to become his Chief of Staff in 1991, Kirk's governmental experience included the Governor's Medical Malpractice Task Force and the site selection commission for a third Chicagoland airport. He had served as Director of Legislative Affairs to former Governor James R. Thompson, and he was a Court of Claims Judge from 1987 to 1991.
In 1994, Kirk was elected an Illinois State Senator representing Chicagoland's western suburbs. He is the chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee, vice-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and vice-chairman of the Rules Committee, and he serves on the Energy and Environment Committee. He is also chairman of the Senate High-Technology Task Force and a member of the "Illinois Coalition," a corporate, academic and governmental board that works to strengthen the Illinois economy through the advancement of science and technology.
Among his honors, Kirk was named to "Who's Who in Chicago Business" by Crain's Chicago Business, received the Civil Justice Achievement Award from the American Tort Reform Association, and was inducted into the "Legislative Staff Hall of Fame" by the University of Illinois and Illinois Issues magazine.
Kirk is a frequent speaker throughout the U.S. on tort reform and civil justice. He is also a frequent author of newspaper, bar journal, and law review columns and articles. His scholarly writings have been cited multiple times by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Kirk has served as an Instructor in legal writing, research, and moot court at the DePaul University College of Law. He has also served as a lecturer on "Legislation and Statutory Interpretation" at both Loyola University, Chicago and DePaul University law schools. He currently is a member of the Advisory Board of DePaul University College of Law.
At DePaul University, Kirk received the American Bar Association Award on Urban, State and Local Government Law and was listed in Who's Who Among American Law Students. He was named Western Illinois University's "Man of the Year" in 1977.
Product Liability
Kirk's clients include a number of prominent companies, including:
- One of the nation's largest oil and refining companies
- The world's largest automobile manufacturer
- One of Illinois's largest managed-care health plans
- A major suburban-Chicago independent electrical power producer
- One of the nation's largest interstate trucking and transport companies
- Chicago's oldest and largest independent family-owned furniture chain
- A major high-technology communications association
- Western Illinois University, B.A., 1977, with honors; WIU Man of the Year
- DePaul University, J.D., 1982, ABA award/Urban, State & Local Government Law
- U.S. District Court, N.D. Illinois, 1983
- U.S. District Court, C.D. Illinois, 1984
- American Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
- Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, Board of Directors
- Western Illinois University Alumni, Vice President
- Phi Alpha Delta lega
- Pi Sigma Alpha
- Governor's Club
- Precinct Comm. DuPage
- Illinois Issues
- Robert Crown Center for Health Education, Board Member
- Downers Grove Township Republican Organization, Chairman
- Friends of Rush Children's Hospital, Advisory Board
- Economic Club of Chicago