Kirsten M. Dunne

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• Workers' Compensation

Kirsten M. Dunne

Kirsten, an accomplished appellate attorney, is in charge of GWC’s appellate department.  The example set by Kirsten’s parents instilled in her, early on in life, an understanding of and respect for the value of hard work, so when she decided to enter the practice of law, she naturally gravitated towards representing working class men and women.  Almost immediately, she found the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury and wrongful death to be a perfect fit.

Kirsten graduated from the University of Notre Dame with high honors in 1992, and received her law degree from Notre Dame Law School in 1995.  In addition to her Illinois licensure, Kirsten is licensed to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.  She is an active member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Association and serves on its Amicus Curiae Committee, in which capacity she has filed “Friend of the Court” briefs in multiple landmark Illinois Supreme Court cases.  Kirsten was a recipient of the William J. Harte Amicus Volunteer Award in 2006 and 2008.  Kirsten also belongs to the American Association for Justice, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and the Appellate Lawyers’ Association.

Kirsten concentrates her practice in appeals and circuit court proceedings that have the potential to give rise to an appeal – for example, motions to dismiss and post trial motions.  She handles cases involving various different aspects of tort liability, such as construction negligence, premises liability, automobile accidents, product liability and the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.  Kirsten represents clients whose injuries include brain damage, amputation of a limb, quadriplegia, paraplegia, and complex bone fractures requiring multiple surgeries.  She also represents families of individuals who have been killed as a result of someone else’s negligence.

In one memorable case, Kirsten was faced with a monumental standard of review in the appellate court – one that is rarely satisfied.  Her success in overcoming this substantial hurdle led to the reinstatement of a high six-figure jury verdict for an injured electrician.  That case later proceeded to the appellate court again on a constitutional issue.  The stakes were high:  a victory for the defendant would have impacted every outstanding civil judgment in the State of Illinois.  Kirsten welcomed the challenge, and once again, she prevailed.  Kirsten also vividly recalls the first time she was faced with an opponent’s Petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court.  The case involved catastrophic burn injuries arising out of a massive explosion.  After she filed her response, the Court denied the defendant’s Petition, and the case subsequently settled for eight figures.  In addition, Kirsten has pursued appeals in numerous cases in which circuit court judges disposed of her clients’ cases before they had the opportunity to present them to a jury.  Due to her winning efforts, these orders were reversed, and through settlement or trial, these clients eventually obtained full and fair compensation for their injuries.

Kirsten has always taken a special interest in writing.  While attending Notre Dame Law School, she published two articles in the Journal of Legislation, for which she was later named an Editor; and wrote regularly as an editorial columnist for the University’s newspaper, The Observer.  Activities Kirsten enjoys during her free time include spending time with her family, traveling and doing volunteer work for animals.  She is a fan of NBA basketball and NFL football.