Kimball Anderson
Partner
Kimball is recognized as one of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” in the United States by Benchmark Litigation US. He concentrates his practice in the areas of antitrust, patent infringement, class actions, and professional liability litigation.
Having tried cases over a range of issues for more than 40 years, Kimball focuses his practice on complex commercial matters, with specific prowess in consumer class actions, patent litigation, and antitrust investigations. According to a client, “he’s an excellent trial lawyer, he’s able to solve the most difficult problems, and he’s a real go-to guy when you have challenges above and beyond the norm.”
Kimball is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship in the American College is extended only by invitation after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of trial advocacy, and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality. He has tried many complex commercial cases to verdict in state and federal courts around the country, and has argued many cases before the federal courts of appeals, including two arguments before the United States Supreme Court.
Kimball is involved in alternative dispute resolution as an advocate, arbitrator, and mediator. He is a “Distinguished Neutral” for the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution, the country’s leading nonprofit alternative dispute-resolution organization. He has been recommended in Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Experts in Commercial Arbitration. He has also served as an expert witness in professional responsibility matters.
Kimball served for many years as Winston & Strawn’s General Counsel and as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.
Key Matters
- Represented an international manufacturer of cell culturing devices in a five-week trade secrets federal trial.
- Obtained a large sanctions award against a plaintiff non-practicing entity (NPE) in a patent infringement case in the Eastern District of Texas.
- Represented a major computer manufacturer in Liquid Crystal Display antitrust litigation in the Northern District of California.
- Served as lead counsel for a major auto manufacturer in auto parts antitrust investigation.
- Acted as lead trial counsel for a major network firewall manufacturer in RAND royalty rate (IEEE 802.11 standard) litigation in the Northern District of Illinois.
- Served as lead trial counsel for a major computer manufacturer in a computer hard drive patent infringement jury trial in the Eastern District of Texas.
- Argued on behalf of a trade association in a landmark federal administrative law case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Argued on behalf of the petitioner in a landmark federal habeas corpus case before U.S. Supreme Court.
- Acted as lead trial counsel for an international computer chip manufacturer in a patent infringement jury trial in the District of Massachusetts.
- Argued on behalf of an auto parts manufacturer in a patent infringement appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
- Served as lead trial counsel for a drug/device manufacturer in an HIV antibody blood screening product liability trial before a New Jersey jury, and on appeal.
- Successfully defeated class certification in a TCPA action brought against a corporate client.
Kimball is recognized as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” in Chambers USA, which has reported in various editions that Kimball “shows excellent judgment and is highly respected by the judiciary,” is “just a great litigator and wonderful in court,” and that he is “a really fine practitioner.” He is recognized as one of the Lawdragon 500 “Leading Litigators in America” for Complex Commercial Litigation, including Class Action; IP; and Antitrust (2022–2025) and was inducted in the 2024 “Hall of Fame” class which honors “outstanding lawyers who have made remarkable contributions to the legal profession.” He has been voted by his peers as a “Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyer” (2005–2013, 2015–2018) and one of the nation’s top “Business Litigation” lawyers in 2018. He is a “Laureate of the Illinois Academy of Lawyers,” is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell®, and Benchmark Litigation US lists him as one of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” and as a “Litigation Star.” The Best Lawyers in America® has ranked Kimball since 2012 in Commercial Litigation, Arbitration, Intellectual Property Litigation, and Patent Law, and also recognized him in 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2024 as “Lawyer of the Year” for Arbitration in Chicago. Forbes ranked Kimball among the 2024 “Top 200 Lawyers in America.” Leading Lawyers Network has listed Kimball as a “Top 100 Business Lawyer in Illinois” and on its Top 10 lists for Civil Appellate, General Business, and Business Litigators.
Kimball received “The Justice John Paul Stevens Award,” the Chicago Bar Association’s highest honor. He and his wife also received the Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth’s “Abraham Lincoln Marovitz Philanthropic Award.”
Additional significant honors and awards Kimball has achieved include:
- Chambers USA—Ranked for General Commercial Litigation in Illinois (2018–2024)
- Benchmark Litigation US—Recognized in “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” (2020–2025) and as an “Illinois Litigation Star”– Antitrust, Appellate, General Commercial, Intellectual Property, International Arbitration, Product Liability (2017–2025)
- The Legal 500 US—Recognized as a “Key Lawyer” in Dispute Resolution-General Commercial Disputes (2023) and Dispute Resolution-Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Consumer Products (2018)
- Illinois Legal Aid Online—“Early Adopter Award” (2020)
- American College of Trial Lawyers—Access to Justice Distinguished Pro Bono Fellow (2020)
- Independent Voters of Illinois—“Saul Mendelson Social Justice Award“ (2016)
- University of Illinois YMCA—“Edward Nestigen Award” (2016)
- American Fundraising Professionals—“Distinguished Philanthropist Award” (2016)
- Cabrini Green Legal Aid—“Spirit of Generosity Award” (2016)
- Illinois Adventist Prison Ministry Organization—“Humanitarian Award” (2016)
- Business Professional People for the Public Interest Law—“40 Who’ve Made a Difference” (2009)
- Chicago Legal Clinic—“Cardinal Bernardin Award” (2008)
- Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago—“Lifetime Achievement Award” (2008)
- AIDS Legal Council of Chicago—“Advocate of the Year” (2006)
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association—“Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service Award” (2003–2004)
- ABA—“Pro Bono Publico Award” (2003)
- University of Illinois College of Law—“Distinguished Graduate” (1996–1997)
- Chicago Lawyer—“Person of the Year” (1996)
- Who’s Who in America—Listed (1992–Present)
- CPA Exam—“Elijah Watt Sells Award” (1974)
- Chicago Bar Association—“Justice John Paul Stevens Award”
- Abraham Lincoln Marovitz—“Philanthropic Award”
- Chicago Lawyer—“Person of the Year”
Kimball’s professional memberships include the American College of Trial Lawyers, American Bar Association, American Bar Foundation, Chicago Bar Association (Board of Managers, 1990–1992, Vice Chair, Civil Rights Committee, 1989–1990, Chair, Large Law Firm Committee, 1997–1998, Vice Chair, 1996–1997, Vice Chair, Committee to End Recidivism, 1996–1998), and the Federal Circuit Bar Association.
Additional professional and community activities in which Kimball has been involved include:
- Law360 Legal Ethics Editorial Advisory Board, 2023
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Chair, Distinguished Pro Bono Fellows Committee (2021–2023)
- Reading Between the Lines Anniversary Gala, Chair, 2022
- Illinois Legal Aid Online 20thAnniversary Gala, Chair, 2021
- Uptown Peoples Law Center 40thAnniversary Gala, Chair, 2020
- 30thAnniversary Dinner, Legal Council for Health Justice, Chair, 2018
- Public Interest Law Initiative 40th Year Anniversary Dinner, Co-Chair, 2017
- Chicago Legal Clinic Awards Dinner, Co-Chair, 2017
- Public Interest Law Initiative 40th Year Anniversary Campaign Co-Chair, 2016
- Chicago Legal Clinic 35 Year Anniversary Dinner, Co-Chair, 2016
- Cabrini Green Legal Aid Capital Campaign, Chair, 2013–2014
- Abraham Lincoln Circle of Justice, Chair, 2009–2015
- Lend-A-Hand Awards Dinner, Co-Chair, 2010
- Investing in Justice Campaign, Steering Committee, 2007–present
- Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Advisory Board, 2009–present
- Public Interest Law Initiative, President, 2006–2008, Vice President, 2004–2005, Treasurer, 2002–present, Board Member, 1989–2010, Chair, Awards Luncheon, 2000
- Chicago Bar Foundation, President, 2005–2007, First Vice President, 2003–2004, Second Vice President, 2001–2002, Board of Directors, 2000–2001, Chair, Awards Luncheon, 2000 and 2001
- DePaul University College of Law Center for Justice in Capital Cases, Chair, 2004–2007, President, 2003–2007
- Advisory board, Northwestern University Center On Wrongful Convictions, 2004–2018
- ALAS Regional Loss Prevention Coordinator, 1998–present
- University of Illinois College of Law Board of Visitors Member, 1996–1998, and 2009
- Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel Member, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1996–1998, and 2009–present
“Kimball Anderson is a renown practitioner concentrating in commercial litigation.”
Chambers USA
Kimball is “widely respected in his field by peers, opposing counsel and clients.”
Leading Lawyers Magazine – Business Edition
Key Matters
- Represented an international manufacturer of cell culturing devices in a five-week trade secrets federal trial.
- Obtained a large sanctions award against a plaintiff non-practicing entity (NPE) in a patent infringement case in the Eastern District of Texas.
- Represented a major computer manufacturer in Liquid Crystal Display antitrust litigation in the Northern District of California.
- Served as lead counsel for a major auto manufacturer in auto parts antitrust investigation.
- Acted as lead trial counsel for a major network firewall manufacturer in RAND royalty rate (IEEE 802.11 standard) litigation in the Northern District of Illinois.
- Served as lead trial counsel for a major computer manufacturer in a computer hard drive patent infringement jury trial in the Eastern District of Texas.
- Argued on behalf of a trade association in a landmark federal administrative law case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Argued on behalf of the petitioner in a landmark federal habeas corpus case before U.S. Supreme Court.
- Acted as lead trial counsel for an international computer chip manufacturer in a patent infringement jury trial in the District of Massachusetts.
- Argued on behalf of an auto parts manufacturer in a patent infringement appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
- Served as lead trial counsel for a drug/device manufacturer in an HIV antibody blood screening product liability trial before a New Jersey jury, and on appeal.
- Successfully defeated class certification in a TCPA action brought against a corporate client.
Credentials
Education
Kimball received his B.A. from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law where he graduated first in his class, summa cum laude, Order of the Coif, and served as editor of the University of Illinois Law Review. Kimball currently serves as the Director of the Jerome Mirza Trial Academy at the University of Illinois College of Law. The Jerome Mirza Trial Academy is designed to teach trial advocacy and professional responsibility to the next generation of trial lawyers. Kimball and his wife Karen are the founders of the University of Illinois Anderson Center for Advocacy and Professionalism. Kimball is also a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois.
Admissions
- Illinois
Related Insights & News
Kimball is a frequent author and speaker on professional liability, trial and appellate litigation, and a range of other topics, including:
- “Doing Well by Doing Good: Enhancing Your Career as a Trial Attorney With Pro Bono Service,” American College of Trial Lawyers Symposium, 2022
- “Advocate Making a Difference,” The Advocate’s Society (Canada), 2021
- Guest Lecturer, Illinois Institutional Law, University of Illinois College of Law
- Guest Panelist, IPO Annual Patent Remedies Summit, 2017
- “The Impact of Unconscious Bias and Diversity in the Workplace,” Chicago Bar Association, April 2016
- “The Optimal Jury Trial,” sponsored by the ABA, Oct. 2012
- “Illinois MCLE Ethics Marathon,” May 2010 and 2011
- “Defending The High-Profile Case,” CBA Trial SuperStars Program, Oct. 2009
- “Who Should Speak On Civility?” Allerton Conference, Illinois State Bar Association, April 2008
- “Tackling A Big Problem,” CBA Record, Jan. 2008
- “Thirty Years As A Pro Bono Lawyer,” Chicago Lawyer, Jan. 2008
- “Recent Developments in the Law of Sanctions,” Practising Law Institute, 2006
- “Chicago Corporate Counsel Take Up Fight For Equal Access to Justice,” The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel Magazine
- “Role of a Large Law Firm General Counsel,” Cook County Bar Association, November 2005
- “The Role of the General Counsel in Large Law Firms,” Executive Directors Roundtable, March 2005
- “Anderson Recognized with ABA’s Top Pro Bono Award,” Illinois Jurist, Spring 2004
- “Someone You Should Know,” ABC Channel 7 Feature
- “Legal Strategies For Policing Wholesaler Chargeback Practices,” Generic Pharmaceutical Association, Nov. 2002
- “Twisted Alliances: Conflict of Interest Issues Affecting Law Firms,” a symposium moderated by Professor Arthur Miller, Oct. 2002
- “Lawyer’s Third-Party Liability,” Annual General Meeting of the Attorneys’ Liability Assurance Society, June 2002
- “Role of the General Counsel at a Large Law Firm,” Chicago Bar Association, Feb. 2002
- “Helping Property Taxpayers With Reductions: Not Necessarily UPL,” Letter to Editor published in Illinois Bar Journal, April 2001
- “Keeping the Keepers: A Strategy for Associate Retention in Times of Attrition,” Reviewed by K. Anderson, Chicago Bar Record, Oct. 1998
- “Lawyers and the Internet,” University of Illinois College of Law, Jan. 1998
- “Conflicts of Interest – Traps for the Unwary,” Chicago Bar Association Seminar, June 23, 1997
- “Preventing Legal Malpractice – Learn From the Experts,” Chicago Bar Association Seminar, June 5, 1996
- “Capital Pro Bono Demand is Up,” The National Law Journal, Aug. 19, 1996
- “Turf Wars – Can Non-Lawyers Represent Taxpayers in Real Property Tax Disputes,” Chicago Bar Record, June/July 1996
- “Litigation Technology,” Price Waterhouse Legal Technology Conference New York, Jan. 23, 1996
- “Desktop Tools for the Litigator,” Price Waterhouse Legal Technology Conference, Chicago, Nov. 13, 1995
- “The Legal Legacy of John Wayne Gacy: The Seventh Circuit’s Irrebuttable Presumption That Juries Understand and Follow Jury Instructions,” 78 Marquette Law Review 792, 1995
- “Litigation In Turmoil,” Illinois Legal Times Roundtable, June 20, 1995
- “Unauthorized Practice of Law,” International Association of Assessing Officers, May 23, 1995
- “The New Litigator,” Lotus Notes Seminar, Feb. 25, 1995
- “Changing Role of Expert Witnesses,” Illinois CPA Society Litigation Conference, Oct. 24, 1994
- “Steps To Minimize Your Exposure to a Legal Malpractice Claim,” Chicago Bar Association Seminar, May 16, 1994
- “Unauthorized Practice of Law,” Chicago Tax Club, Nov. 4, 1993
- “Malpractice Exposure in the 90’s,” Chicago Bar Association Seminar, May 5, 1993
- “Federal Habeas Corpus in the 90’s,” John Marshall Law School Seminar, Jan. 30, 1993
- “Unauthorized Practice of Law,” International Association of Assessing Officers, Nov. 1992
- “Effective Motion Practice in Illinois,” Lorman Education Services, Oct. 1992
- “Dealing With Jury Prejudice Against Big Corporations,” Chicago Bar Record, March 1992
- “Unauthorized Practice of Law,” CPA Society Executives Association, Jan. 17, 1992
- “Approaches to In-House Litigation Support,” Price Waterhouse Legal Technical ‘90 Conference, Oct. 1, 1990
- “Rendezvous With Death Row,” ABA Barrister Magazine
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