Loeb & Loeb LLP announced today that litigator Livia M. Kiser has joined the firm’s Consumer Protection Defense Department as a partner in the Chicago office. Most recently, she was a partner at Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP in Chicago.
Kiser has successfully defended numerous clients in the automotive, financial, retail, food and other industries in jurisdictions across the country against allegations of consumer fraud, false labeling, false advertising, breach of warranty, and other claims arising under state and federal law. Her experience encompasses defending more than 40 consumer class action lawsuits for large, multinational clients in a variety of sectors. She has significant experience at every stage of litigation, including removal, consolidation, managing fact and expert discovery, defeating class certification, preparing and arguing dispositive motions, and trial and appellate practice.
“Liv’s addition reflects our continued commitment to further strengthening our growing Consumer Protection Defense Department as a key part of Loeb’s strategic growth initiatives,” said Loeb & Loeb Chairman Michael D. Beck. “Her stellar reputation defending consumer claims in the automotive, consumer finance and other key sectors closely mirrors our own industry focus in this area and will help the firm keep up with high client expectations and demands.”
Kiser has a particularly strong background in the automotive industry. She routinely represents domestic and foreign automobile manufacturers and distributors in disputes arising under consumer protection statutes and other laws. She has a wealth of experience defending class action lawsuits in which false and misleading advertising and other deceptive consumer practices arising from purported vehicle defects and/or deficiencies are alleged.
She routinely appears in state and federal tribunals as well as before arbitration panels and administrative hearing offices throughout the United States, including the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. She has also represented companies under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as well as the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Liv’s considerable class action experience coupled with her counseling expertise strengthens our department’s ability to help clients minimize and prepare for litigation risk. She is a perfect fit for our service platform,” said Michael Mallow, partner and chair of Loeb & Loeb’s Consumer Protection Defense Department. “Her background is a great complement to the significant depth and diversity of our team and we are thrilled to welcome her to the firm.”
Loeb & Loeb’s Consumer Protection Defense Department is comprised of more than 20 experienced litigators and trial attorneys who defend government enforcement actions, government investigations and private class action lawsuits that allege violations of consumer protection and unfair competition laws. The firm handles a variety of consumer-related litigation, with particular focus on defending economic product defect claims, marketing and advertising misrepresentation claims, claims alleging violations of consumer privacy, and consumer finance-related claims.
“I am delighted to be joining Loeb & Loeb and their impressive group of dedicated consumer protection defense attorneys,” said Kiser. “Loeb has been very responsive to companies’ needs in our increasingly regulated environment, and the firm’s strategic focus on this area will be of great value for my clients and the further development of my practice.”
In addition to her practice work, Kiser is also committed to pro bono legal services. She has focused primarily on children seeking asylum in the U.S. and those requiring special education services in schools. As a result of her work, new laws have been developed in these areas.
Kiser received her B.A. from the University of Illinois, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Northwestern University, where she was Order of the Coif.
