Kevin T. Van Wart

Commercial Litigation

5.0 (1 reviews)

Chicago, Illinois

43+ years experience

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Updated: Jan 03, 2026

Contact Information

312-862-2000

https://www.kirkland.com/lawyers/v/van-wart-kevin-t

333 West Wolf Point Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654

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Bio

Kevin Van Wart is a partner Kirkland's Chicago office, where he concentrates in complex litigation, including mass tort claims, class action lawsuits, product liability and pharmaceutical claims, and high stakes commercial disputes. Kevin has served as lead trial and appellate counsel in a wide variety of cases throughout the country and teaches trial advocacy at the University of Chicago Law School. The National Law Journal featured Kevin's successful trial work in naming Kirkland to its 2006 "Defense Hot List." Kevin is a member of Kirkland's Litigation Management Committee.

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Awards & Recognition

Recognized: Commercial Litigation
Practice Area: Litigation - Banking and Finance
Practice Area: Litigation - Environmental
Practice Area: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Practice Area: Product Liability Litigation - Defendants

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013

Education

Boston University School of Law, J.D., graduated 1982

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Reviews

Kevin Cox

2 weeks ago

A consummate professional who delivers results in complex litigation

Our company faced a daunting, multi-district product liability class action that threatened our core operations. The complexity was staggering, and we needed counsel with not just deep litigation experience, but a specific mastery of navigating mass tort claims. Selecting Kevin Van Wart and the team at Kirkland & Ellis was the decisive factor in achieving a favorable resolution. With over four decades of practice, Kevin’s strategic foresight was immediately apparent. He didn't just react to the litigation; he deconstructed the plaintiff's strategy, built an unassailable defense anchored in meticulous fact development, and guided us through every high-stakes deposition and motion. His recognition in areas like commercial and environmental litigation speaks to the breadth of his skill, which was fully leveraged in our case. What truly sets Kevin apart is his ability to distill incredibly complex legal and scientific issues into clear, actionable business advice for the board. He is a formidable advocate in the courtroom and a trusted advisor outside of it. The outcome he secured preserved our company’s reputation and financial stability. For any business confronting existential litigation, Kevin T. Van Wart is the attorney you want in your corner.