Overview

Jeff Davidson was an accomplished trial lawyer whose cases involved contracts, securities, antitrust, mergers and acquisitions, insurance coverage, intellectual property, products liability, toxic tort, and environmental matters in state and federal courts, in federal administrative proceedings, before AAA and NASD arbitration panels, and before the London Court of International Arbitration. He tried over 40 cases.

Jeff argued appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court (twice), U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and D.C. Circuits, Ohio Supreme Court, Maryland Court of Special Appeals, and the California and Illinois Courts of Appeals.

Jeff joined Kirkland & Ellis in 1973, was a partner from 1978–2013, and was a member of the Firm Management Committee from 1990 to 2007.

Jeff's significant courtroom victory for Cable & Computer Technology Inc, was featured in the articles, Flying High; Lockheed Subsidiary Hit with $64.5 Million Verdict; Anaheim Defense Contractor Gets $64.5 Million in Joint Bid Dispute; Top Ten Verdicts; Getting Slammed: The 20 Largest Verdicts of the First Half of 2001; and Plane Facts.

Jeff's pro bono work was covered in the Los Angeles Daily Journal article, Pro Bono Has 'Benefits Beyond the Heart'. He was also profiled in the article, Modest Man of Steel, published by Verdicts & Settlements. He was the leader of the trial and appellate team that won the 2005 President's Award for Pro Bono Service from the California State Bar Association.

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Thought Leadership

Seminars

For many years, Jeff served as a faculty member and panelist at the ALI-ABA National Securities Litigation Seminar.

In the past, Jeff has served as an instructor at various National Institute of Trial Advocacy programs.

Recognition

Recognized for Commercial Litigation, The Best Lawyers in America, 2006–2024

Recognized in the 2012 edition of The Legal 500 U.S.

Selected in the 2006 through 2022 editions of the U.S. News and World Report, Best Lawyers®, and in the 2003 through 2011 editions of Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, in the area of Commercial Litigation.

Selected in the 2011–2017 editions of California Super Lawyers in the area of Business Litigation.

Leader of the trial and appellate team which won the 2005 President's Award for Pro Bono Service from the California State Bar Association, and the 2004 Volunteer Attorneys of the Year Award from the Disability Rights Law Center, for saving the Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Hospital; 2003–06: President of the Board, Western Center on Law and Poverty; mentioned in the article “Pro Bono Has Benefits Beyond the Heart” from the May 18, 2006 Los Angeles Daily Journal for his pro bono work.

Memberships & Affiliations

Board President, Western Center on Law and Poverty, 2003–2007

Member, Chancery Club of Los Angeles

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 1989, California
  • 1973, Indiana (retired)
  • 1973, Illinois (retired)
  • 1980, District of Columbia (inactive)

Education

  • Indiana University Maurer School of LawJ.D.1973
  • Columbia UniversityB.S.1970
  • Wabash CollegeA.B.1970