Kirk C. Jenkins

jenkins_kirk_portKirk C. Jenkins has maintained an exclusively appellate practice for the past twenty-three years, serving as lead appellate counsel in over 200 appeals and interlocutory petitions in state and Federal courts across the country.

Mr. Jenkins has successfully represented clients in complex litigation in a variety of industries, including public utilities; automotive; construction and mining equipment; food manufacturing; electronic components and pharmaceuticals.  He has litigated a broad range of issues, including Federal preemption; electrocution injuries; failure to warn and design defect; the admissibility of economic testimony; price-fixing and essential facilities; groundwater contamination; primary and exclusive administrative jurisdiction; alleged asbestos exposure; the extraterritorial application of Federal and state law, and the certification and decertification of consumer class actions.  He frequently writes for publication and is quoted by the press about emerging issues in appellate business litigation and the dynamics of appellate courts.

Practice Areas

  • Appellate Practice, concentrating in matters of:
    • Mass Tort
    • Automotive
    • Food Manufacturing
    • Heavy Equipment
    • Pharmaceutical
    • Environmental Law

Professional Associations

  • Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America, 2010-2024 editions, field of appellate law
  • Member, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers (by election)
  • Member, California Academy of Appellate Lawyers (by election) – Elected Secretary-Treasurer, 2017
  • Member, American Law Institute (by election)
    • Members Consultative Group, Project on Sexual & Gender-Based Misconduct on Campus
    • Members Consultative Group, Restatement of the Law, Liability Insurance
    • Members Consultative Group, Restatement (Third): The U.S. Law of International Commercial Arbitration
    • Members Consultative Group, Restatement (Third) of Torts: Liability for Economic Loss
    • Members Consultative Group, Restatement (Third) of Torts: Intentional Torts to Persons
  • Selected for inclusion in Benchmark Appellate Litigation, 2012-2013 editions, as an Appellate Litigation Star in the Seventh Circuit
  • ABA Council of Appellate Lawyers

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D. 1986, cum laude
  • Harvard College, A.B. 1983, magna cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois
  • California
  • District of Columbia (inactive status)
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Courts of Appeals for the D.C., Federal, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th Circuits