Livia M. Kiser
KING & SPALDING
PARTNER

Liv Kiser is a partner in King & Spalding’s Trial and Global Disputes practice and a member of the federal trial bar. She defends companies in high-stakes civil disputes arising from dangerous or toxic products or substances, consumer fraud, false advertising, breach of warranty, privacy violations, unfair competition and other torts. A seasoned and vigorous advocate both in and outside of the courtroom, her innovative approaches to complex legal questions have resulted in the development of new law favorable to her clients and entire industries.

Liv proactively works with companies in the supply chain of highly-regulated, consumer-facing industries – from automotive to food, financial services, healthcare, personal care products, real estate, telecommunications, utilities, and others – to identify and manage their legal risks, developing creative and cost- effective strategies for furthering their business interests, protecting brands and preserving consumer goodwill. Liv regularly resolves cases at the earliest stages of litigation through creative strategies that (for example) operate to moot a class action or render the case uncertifiable. Liv has persuaded opposing counsel to dismiss cases without compensation by persuasively explaining applicable law. She has successfully defeated class certification in cases that prior counsel believed to be unwinnable.

Liv has defended some of the world’s largest multi-national companies in high- stakes commercial, viral and multidistrict litigation, managing crisis situations in which simultaneous inquiries by state and federal regulators, international and local law enforcement and Congress are taking place. Liv has appeared in state and federal courts across the nation, and understands how courts are likely to apply the consumer protection laws in any given dispute. Protecting company reputations and preserving trust is a central focus of her practice.

Liv is devoted to the advancement of women and minorities in the legal profession and serves as a strong, hands-on mentor for many young women and diverse lawyers. She is an active member of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), raising awareness and funds for the organization. She has served as co-chair of WBAI’s Judicial Reception and co-chair of Top Women Lawyers in Leadership.

Liv serves on King & Spalding’s firmwide Diversity Committee, which focuses on hiring, retention, mentoring and promotion of the firm’s racially diverse, LGBTQ, and women attorneys. She also volunteers with the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity.

Liv also has a very active pro bono practice, obtaining asylum for persecuted individuals and ensuring children with disabilities obtain necessary services. She also represents incarcerated defendants in Constitutional cases.

She is also actively involved in her community and philanthropic efforts. She and her husband have five children, two of whom are disabled. Liv has proudly served as Parent/Community Organizer for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for more than a decade and supports her son’s service on the Lurie Kids’ Advisory Board. She is a member of the American Cancer Society’s Chicago Advisory Board.

Liv belongs to the American Bar Association Member Sections of Litigation, Class Actions and Derivative Suits, Antitrust, and Products Liability. She is a member of the Illinois and California bars.