Kyler Harper Stevens focuses his practice on environmental and toxic tort matters and trial practice. Kyler is a national trial lawyer and litigation partner with more than 16 years of experience representing Fortune 500 and small to mid-sized businesses. He has extensive experience in complex litigation, delivering positive results as national and regional coordinating counsel. His practice includes managing litigation risk, controlling costs, aligning litigation strategy with business goals, and advising clients across multiple jurisdictions.
- Directed verdict following plaintiff’s case-in-chief in Friedman v. ABI, Los Angeles, California, asbestos product liability action.
- Secured a defense verdict in Shields v. ABI, Rochester, New York, a sole-exposure mesothelioma case involving contested medical causation.
- Secured the first defense verdict in more than 20 years of litigation history for the client in Bjoin v. J-MM, Los Angeles, California.
- Obtained dismissal during jury selection in Scott v. John Crane, Madison County, Illinois, a historically plaintiff-favored jurisdiction.
- Achieved a favorable in-trial resolution in Harder v. ECR, New York, New York, as part of a multi-case resolution.
- Resolved Herrmann v. J-MM, Los Angeles, California, during plaintiff’s case-in-chief for less than one-third of the pre-suit demand following critical cross-examination of the plaintiff.
- Resolved McNally v. ECR, New York, New York, during trial as part of a coordinated multi-case resolution.
- Served as national coordinating counsel for manufacturers in asbestos and product liability litigation across multiple jurisdictions, including New York, California, and Illinois.
- Secured dismissal under forum non conveniens in Chandler v. Carrier, Madison County, Illinois.
- Secured summary judgment in a premises liability action in Williamson County, Illinois.
• Secured dismissals for lack of personal jurisdiction following Daimler AG v. Bauman for multiple corporate defendants in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. - Developed and prepared corporate designees for Rule 30b6 testimony across industries including aerospace, medical devices, and industrial manufacturing.
- Identified and developed expert witnesses in epidemiology, industrial hygiene, radiation safety, and medical causation.
- Successfully negotiated resolution of a high-exposure aviation matter involving government contractor defenses in the Northern District of Illinois.
- Initiated more than 24 trials across New York, California, and Illinois, achieving consistent early and mid-trial resolutions.
- Author, Negligence and Warranty Theories of Product Liability, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education Products Liability Practice Handbook
Admissions
- Illinois
- Missouri
- New York
- California
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Memberships
- Illinois State Bar Association, Member
- St. Clair County Bar Association, Member
- Madison County Bar Association, Member
- Southern Illinois Inn of Courts, Member
Community Involvement
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois, Board Member
- 20th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, Member
Education
- J.D., Southern Illinois University School of Law, 2009
- Trial Team
- Moot Court Semi-Finalist
- Graduate and Professional Student Body President
- B.A., Legal Studies, University of Illinois at Springfield, 2006