People
Liv Kiser, a member of the federal trial bar, 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, Liv's 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. Liv 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. Her clients consider her predictive skills as to how matters are likely to unfold and resolve as "uncanny." Protecting company reputations and preserving trust is a central focus of Liv’s practice.
Liv routinely and successfully defends companies facing claims asserted under the laws of California (including Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 17200 (UCL), 17500, CLRA, CCPA, Prop 65) and other states (including the Illinois Biometric Privacy Act (BIPA)). She has defeated numerous claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Americans with Disabilities' Act (ADA) and other state and federal laws. She has substantial experience successfully defeating cases where plaintiffs seek recovery for alleged "price premiums" and/or "overpayments."
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. Liv serves on the firm's Diversity Committee, and on committees within the Chicago office.
B.A., University of Illinois, Phi Beta Kappa
J.D., Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, cum laude, Order of the Coif
California
Illinois
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
Member, American Bar Association, Litigation Section
Member, Illinois State Bar Association
Member, The State Bar of California
French
October 16, 2024
Livia Kiser, Jeffrey Hammer, James Unger and Craig Bessenger counsel BetterHelp in a class action case before a California federal court
June 21, 2024
Amy Upshaw and Livia Kiser represent Pulse8 in a Telephone Consumer Protection Act class action case before the Fourth Circuit
June 12, 2024
King & Spalding Earns Top-Tier Rankings in Legal 500 United States 2024 Guide
Lead counsel is a proposed class action alleging arsenic in spices caused harm to consumers who purchased the products. Case resolved for de minimis amount after recall implemented.
Lead counsel in a series of Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (California's "Proposition 65") relating to a variety of allegedly carcinogenic and toxic substances in food and other consumer products. Cases resolved on very favorable terms through informal negotiations.
Lead counsel in a proposed class action alleging the engine compartments of certain model vehicles emit noxious and toxic substances into the vehicles' passenger cabins, allegedly rendering the vehicles undrivable and causing vehicle occupants to require medical treatment.
See more
August 12, 2024
Illinois BIPA Reform Takes Effect
December 8, 2023
General Counsel’s Decision Tree for Internal Investigations for the Food and Beverage Industry
October 16, 2024
Livia Kiser, Jeffrey Hammer, James Unger and Craig Bessenger counsel BetterHelp in a class action case before a California federal court
June 21, 2024
Amy Upshaw and Livia Kiser represent Pulse8 in a Telephone Consumer Protection Act class action case before the Fourth Circuit
June 12, 2024
King & Spalding Earns Top-Tier Rankings in Legal 500 United States 2024 Guide
Lead counsel is a proposed class action alleging arsenic in spices caused harm to consumers who purchased the products. Case resolved for de minimis amount after recall implemented.
Lead counsel in a series of Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (California's "Proposition 65") relating to a variety of allegedly carcinogenic and toxic substances in food and other consumer products. Cases resolved on very favorable terms through informal negotiations.
Lead counsel in a proposed class action alleging the engine compartments of certain model vehicles emit noxious and toxic substances into the vehicles' passenger cabins, allegedly rendering the vehicles undrivable and causing vehicle occupants to require medical treatment.
See more
August 12, 2024
Illinois BIPA Reform Takes Effect
December 8, 2023
General Counsel’s Decision Tree for Internal Investigations for the Food and Beverage Industry
October 16, 2024
Livia Kiser, Jeffrey Hammer, James Unger and Craig Bessenger counsel BetterHelp in a class action case before a California federal court
June 21, 2024
Amy Upshaw and Livia Kiser represent Pulse8 in a Telephone Consumer Protection Act class action case before the Fourth Circuit
June 12, 2024
King & Spalding Earns Top-Tier Rankings in Legal 500 United States 2024 Guide
B.A., University of Illinois, Phi Beta Kappa
J.D., Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, cum laude, Order of the Coif
California
Illinois
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
Member, American Bar Association, Litigation Section
Member, Illinois State Bar Association
Member, The State Bar of California
French