A. Katrine Jakola, P.C.
Overview
Katie Jakola was beyond amazing in the litigation area. Her experience in preparing me and the other potential witnesses was exceptional. Her many years of experience and expertise was obvious to all of us. She also worked tirelessly on our behalf.” - Legal 500, 2022 (Client Quote)
Katie Jakola is a litigation partner and trial lawyer at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. She has tried and won jury and bench trials in federal and state courts across the country. Katie has more than 20 years of experience in complex commercial litigation and focuses her practice on mass tort, product liability, contract disputes and consumer claims.
Katie has acted as trial counsel for BP in the Deepwater Horizon litigation over the last 12 years and serves as BP’s National Coordinating Counsel for hundreds of personal injury cases. Katie has first- and second-chaired trials to successful verdicts and has advised industry-leading clients, including BP, Macy’s, United Airlines, General Motors, Aon, Nine West, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Avaya and Wayfair. She regularly counsels boards and management of Fortune 100 companies on litigation risk, management, strategy and resolution both in and out of court.
Katie’s trial and litigation work has been featured in The American Lawyer, The Financial Times, The New York Times, The National Law Journal and Law360, among others. Katie was selected as one of “Chicago’s Notable Women in Law” by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2020. In its North American Innovative Lawyers Report, The Financial Times “highly commended” her work in two three-week trials for Sabine Oil & Gas for “managing complexity and scale” in those cases.
At the invitation of the federal judiciary, Katie has presented trial and evidence master classes to judges from across the country at the Federal Judicial Center. Katie is active in recruiting, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and trial advocacy training at the Firm and in the community.
Experience
Representative Matters
In re Oil Spill by the Oil Rig Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico April 20, 2010 (MDL 2179, E.D. La., 2010–present): Trial counsel for BP in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill litigation. In the civil litigation trial that began on February 25, 2013, Katie defended BP from claims by the U.S. Government, certain Gulf States, various BP contractors and thousands of individual plaintiffs. Katie currently serves as the company’s National Coordinating Counsel, with primary responsibility for a portfolio of hundreds of personal injury lawsuits pending in federal court.
Confidential Autonomous Vehicle Matters (2019–present): Katie regularly provides product liability advice and counseling to industry-leading self-driving car company on a confidential basis.
TAL Apparel v. Del Vecchio (N.Y. 2021): Lead trial counsel in TAL’s suit for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and other claims in connection with its $100 million investment in Brooks Brothers.
In re Washington Prime Group Inc. (S.D. Tex. 2021): Lead trial counsel for WPG, which owns, develops and manages more than 100 shopping centers across the country, in litigation with creditor stakeholders. Won trial establishing improper dissemination of client’s confidential information.
Macy’s, Inc. (2020): Lead litigation counsel for Macy’s in connection with its recent $4 billion financing in response to impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The transactions secured by the company’s top mall assets and distribution centers funded operations during the crisis.
Le Tote / Lord & Taylor (E.D. Va. 2020): Lead trial counsel for Le Tote in commercial lease, contract and related commercial and financial restructuring issues, successfully defeating a preliminary injunction by a buyer attempting to back out of a $12 million asset sale on the eve of closing.
Federal Trade Commission v. LendingClub Corp. (N.D. Cal. 2020): Litigation counsel for LendingClub in suit by FTC alleging deceptive and unfair marketing and sales practices in connection with online consumer loan services.
Yerington Paiute Tribe v. BP America Inc. (D. Nev. 2019): Litigation counsel for BP in toxic tort suit brought by the Yerington Paiute Tribe alleging personal injuries to tribal members and damage to tribal lands due to alleged contamination from a nearby copper mine.
In re Nine West Holdings, Inc. (S.D.N.Y. 2019): Trial counsel for Nine West in trial seeking confirmation of plan of reorganization, litigating claims of alleged breach of fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfer and other causes of action regarding the 2014 leveraged buyout of the company. Case settled favorably one week into trial.
Nicholas v. Wayfair Inc. (E.D.N.Y. 2019): Trial counsel for Wayfair in purported class actions involving allegations of product defect, consumer fraud and warrantability claims. Won motion to compel arbitration following contested evidentiary hearing challenging the company’s online terms of service.
In re Cenveo Inc. (S.D.N.Y. 2018): Lead litigation counsel for Cenveo in investigating potential causes of action involving challenged asset purchases and divestitures. Secured approval of settlement and confirmation of the company’s plan of reorganization following submission of investigative report.
In re Avaya Inc. (S.D.N.Y. 2017): Lead trial counsel for Avaya in disputes over valuation of intellectual property and other assets, lien and claim disputes and potential estate causes of action. In 2018, Turnaround Management Association recognized the successful reorganization of Avaya with its “Mega Company Transaction of the Year Award.”
In re rue21, Inc. (W.D. Pa. 2017): Lead trial counsel for rue21 in securing confirmation of plan of reorganization following contested confirmation trial involving challenged releases of estate and third-party causes of action.
Sabine Oil & Gas Corp. (S.D.N.Y. 2016): Trial counsel for Sabine Oil & Gas in two three-week trials — successfully defeating creditors’ attempts to bring fraudulent transfer, fiduciary breach and other claims totaling over $2 billion. In its 2016 North American Innovative Lawyers Report, The Financial Times “highly commended” Kirkland’s strategy for “managing complexity and scale” in the Sabine case and Turnarounds & Workouts noted Katie’s role in selecting the case as one of the top Successful Restructurings of 2016. Katie was also selected as a 2017 recipient of the Turnaround Management Association’s Large Company Transaction of the Year Award for her work.
Northrop Grumman v. Aon Risk Services (Los Angeles County, Ca. 2015): Litigation counsel for Aon in suit disputing insurance coverage for losses arising out of Hurricane Katrina.
Chicago Freight Car Leasing Co. v. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Cook County, Ill. 2010): Trial counsel for PwC in litigation involving claims of professional negligence and negligent misrepresentation. After a three-week trial, the jury returned a verdict for PwC on all counts, including on PwC’s counterclaim against plaintiffs to recover its costs and expenses.
General Motors Consumer Litigation (Cook County, Ill. 2002–2010): Represented GM and GMAC in several consumer fraud actions in Illinois trial and appellate courts; won dismissal of all claims on multiple occasions.
ExxonMobil Dealer Litigation (D. Md. 2009): Counsel for ExxonMobil in dispute with 65 gas station dealers. Secured dismissal of all plaintiffs’ claims. The case was featured in the article “Kirkland Wins Dismissal of ‘Future Sale’ Claims Against Exxon by Gas Station Owners,” in the November 9, 2009 issue of The Am Law Litigation Daily.
Giant Screen Films v. Sky High Entertainment, et. al. (N.D. Ill. 2007): Counsel for plaintiff Giant Screen Films in bringing breach of contract, fraud, tortious interference and other claims against film producer and lender. Obtained default judgment against several defendants and obtained summary judgment on multiple claims.
Conseco Cost of Insurance Litigation (MDL 1610, C.D. Ca. 2006): Counsel for Conseco in multi-district litigation involving 15 federal and five state putative class actions challenging changes to life insurance charges and attempting to pierce the corporate veil of life insurance company.
In re United Airlines (N.D. Ill. 2003–2005): Trial counsel for United Airlines in securing industry leading modifications both before and after trial to collective bargaining agreements, retiree medical benefits and pension plans. Katie was noted for her role in the litigation in the article, “Big Suits: UAL Bankruptcy,” in the February 2003 issue of The American Lawyer.
United Airlines Pension Claim Litigation (N.D. Ill. 2005): Lead trial counsel for United Airlines in bankruptcy litigation brought by retired pilots seeking to increase their claims for terminated pension benefits by more than $40 million. Following trial, court entered ruling in favor of United, refusing to increase plaintiffs’ claim amounts.
Aon Re, Inc. v. RGA Reinsurance Co. (N.D. Ill. 2005): Represented Aon Re in $40 million reinsurance dispute involving breach of contract, fraud and negligent misrepresentation claims. Case settled three days before trial.
Kvaerner, U.S., Inc. v. IPSCO Steel (Alabama), Inc. and Related Litigation (W.D. Pa. 2003): Represented IPSCO Steel in breach of contract case involving construction of steel plant in Alabama. Case settled favorably; successfully defended settlement in district court and Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
Clerk & Government Experience
Law ClerkHonorable W. Eugene DavisUnited States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit2001–2002
Pro Bono
Domestic Violence Legal Clinic (Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill.): Katie serves as a volunteer attorney assisting victims of domestic violence in obtaining emergency and plenary orders of protection against their alleged abusers.
Johnny Borizov v. Olsen-Foxen, et al. (N.D. Ill. 2020): Court-appointed trial counsel for Mr. Borizov in Section 1983 suit alleging sexual assault and inadequate medical care claims while imprisoned at Stateville Correctional Center.
More
Thought Leadership
Press Mentions
“BP, Transocean Escape Deepwater Horizon Exposure Suit,” Law360, August 18, 2023
“Ex-Brooks Brothers Owners Can't Duck Suit Over Ch. 11 Sale,” Law360, August 4, 2022
“Suit Over Brooks Brothers Sale Shows Chap. 11’s Shadow,” Yahoo.com, May 20, 2021
“Former Brooks Brothers Minority Shareholder Sues, Claiming ‘Bad Faith,'" The New York Times, May 18, 2021
“Del Vecchio Family Sued Over Brooks Brothers Bankruptcy,” Financial Times, May 17, 2021
“Le Tote’s $12 Million Asset Sale to Saadia Closes After Snag,” Bloomberg Law, November 23, 2020
“BP Gets Win in Oil Spill Florida Injury Cases,” Law360, November 4, 2020
“Chicago’s Notable Women in Law 2020,” Crain’s Chicago Business, September 4, 2020
“Wayfair Can Compel Arbitration in Lawsuit Over Alleged Bedbug Infestation, Brooklyn Federal Judge Rules,” New York Law Journal, October 17, 2019
“Wayfair Buyers Must Arbitrate Bedbug Claims,” Law360, June 7, 2019
Publications & Seminars
Evidence & Trial Skills (presenter to members of the federal judiciary), Federal Judicial Center, 2017, 2020 and 2021
The Polarization of the American Jury (panelist), American Bar Association, Litigation Section Annual Conference, May 5, 2021
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words: Effective Use of Demonstrative Evidence (contributor), American Bar Association, Litigation Section Annual Conference, May 4, 2017
Defending Your Expert Report in a Daubert Challenge (panelist), American Bankruptcy Institute, The University of Texas School of Law and The Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors, VALCON 2017, March 1, 2017
Arbitrating Consumer Claims Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 68 U. Chi. L. Rev. 1459, 2001
Recognition
Memberships & Affiliations
American Bar Association, Judicial Division
- Lawyers Conference Executive Committee, Member
American Bar Association, Section of Litigation
-
Trial Practice, Trial Evidence and The Woman Advocate Committees
Federal Bar Association
Big Shoulders Fund, Board of Directors
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- Illinois
- New York
Courts
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the District of Colorado
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Education
- University of Chicago Law SchoolJ.D.with Honors2001
Order of the Coif
University of Chicago Law Review
- Northwestern UniversityB.A., Political Science & Environmental Sciences1998