Roger L. Taylor

Retired Partner Litigation

Chicago +1 312 862 2214

Roger L. Taylor

Overview

Roger Taylor practiced litigation in Kirkland's Chicago office. He had thirty years experience in federal and state courts.

Trial Experience

Jury Trials

  • Seventeen jury trials - thirteen first chair, four second chair - eleven wins, three losses, one settlement during trial, two hung juries.

Bench Trials

  • Eleven bench trials - eight first chair, three second chair - eight wins, three losses.

Preliminary Injunction and Other Evidentiary Hearings

  • One spoliation of evidence and six preliminary injunction hearings: four first chair; three second chair - seven wins.

Arbitrations and Administrative Hearings

  • Five arbitrations and administrative hearings before National Association of Securities Dealers and New York Stock Exchange Arbitration Panels; and before Securities and Exchange Commission and Chicago Human Relations Commission - all first chair - three wins, one loss, one split decision (loss on claim for commissions, victory on age discrimination claim by discharged broker).

Military Courts-Martial

  • Six special courts-martial - all first chair - five wins, one loss.

United Airlines - Trial counsel in Chicago employment discrimination and wrongful discharge cases in state and federal courts and state and city agencies.

S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. - Trial counsel in complex commercial real estate loan case in San Jose.

Amoco Corporation - Represented Amoco in multinational litigation arising from supertanker oil spill off the coast of France; lead trial counsel in cargo damages case, trial counsel in admiralty case, assisted in London arbitration.

Miles, Inc. - Lead counsel for Miles in federal age discrimination class action in New York.

American National Bank - Lead counsel for Bank in federal class action sex discrimination suit.

First Chicago - Lead counsel in several employment discrimination cases in federal court and state agencies in Chicago.

Firstmark Securities - Lead counsel for Indianapolis investment firm in two related securities fraud class actions.

Oscar Mayer - Lead counsel for Oscar Mayer, subsidiary of Kraft General Foods, in government and private Fair Labor Standards Act suits challenging compensation practices at company's Sherman, Texas plant.

Dean Witter - Trial counsel in New York Stock Exchange arbitration of age discrimination and breach of contract claims.

Military Service

1964–1968 (Active Duty, including service in Vietnam) to Lieutenant, United States Naval Reserve

More

Thought Leadership

Publications

Co-author, "Wrongful Discharge: Historical Evolution, Current Developments and a Proposed Legislative Solution," 28 San Diego Law Review 117 (1991)

Co-author, "Verdict Strategy," Summer 1991 Journal of the ABA Section of Litigation

Co-author, "Settling Class Actions," Fall 1986 Journal of the ABA Section of Litigation

Speaking Engagements

Speech, "Personal Experiences Cure Our Prejudices" (delivered at the Acorn Equality Fund's Family Breakfast, Peoria, IL Dec. 1, 2012), printed in Vital Speeches of the Day, Vol. LXXIX, No. 03, March 2013

Memberships & Affiliations

Federal Bar Association, Chicago Chapter — Board Member, 2014–2016

Service to Education and Community

  • Knox College — President Emeritus, 2012–Present

  • Knox College — President, 2001–2011

  • Knox College — Board of Trustees, 1988–2011, Emeritus Trustee, 2020

  • Knox College — Chairman, Board of Trustees, 1999–2001

  • Associated Colleges of the Midwest — Board of Directors, 2001–2011

  • Associated Colleges of Illinois — Board of Directors, 2001–2011

  • Carl Sandburg College — Honorary Degree, 2011

  • Ellis University — Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, 2011–2012

  • Friends of the Parks, Chicago — Board of Directors, 1997–2001

  • Galesburg Rotary International, 2001–Present

  • Illinois Historic Preservation Agency — Trustee, 2002–2010

  • Illinois Humanities — Board Member, 2009–2018, Chair, 2016–2018

  • Lincoln Academy of Illinois — Academic Trustee, 2001–2011

  • Northwestern University Law School Alumni Association — President, 1989–1990

  • Northwestern University Service Award, 1991

  • Wiley Lutheran Church — Council Member, 2011–Present

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 1971, Illinois (retired)

Education

  • Northwestern Pritzker School of LawJ.D.1971
  • Knox CollegeB.A.1963