Awards
Selected to Illinois Super Lawyers list, 2005 – Present, 2025 | Best Lawyers in America, 2011-Present, 2025 | Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year in Aviation Law, (2021, 2023, 2025) Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year in Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, Chicago (2017, 2020, 2022, 2025) Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Chicago (2018), 2025 | Super Lawyers, Top 100: 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers List (2013-2014, 2019-2024), 2024 | Leading Lawyer, Law Bulletin Media, 2018 – Present, 2024 | Lawdragon, 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, 2023-2024, 2024 | Trial Lawyer Excellence Award, Jury Verdict Reporter, 2022, 2022 | Martindale-Hubbell, AV Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence, 2019, 2019 | Kevin Durkin was been named to the 2017 list of Irish Legal 100, a group of "the most distinguished legal professionals in the United Stated who share one common bond: pride in their Irish roots.", 2018 | Kevin Durkin was been named to the 2017 list of Irish Legal 100, a group of "the most distinguished legal professionals in the United Stated who share one common bond: pride in their Irish roots.", 2017 | Trial Lawyer Excellence Award, presented by the Jury Verdict Reporter, 2015, 2015 | Kevin Durkin was appointed to the Executive Committee of the ITLA., 2013 | Trial Excellence Award by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2012, 2012 | Named, "Top Tier Attorney in Personal Injury Litigation, Aviation Litigation, and Product Liability Litigation" by U.S. News-Best Lawyers since 2011, 2011 | American Bar Association (ABA), Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (1992-Present); Aviation and Space Law Committee, Vice Chair (2005-Present); Commercial Transportation Litigation; Products Liability and Consumer Law, 2024 | International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow (2010-Present), 2024 | American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow (2009-Present), 2024 | American Bar Association (ABA), Section of Litigation (1992-Present); Product Liability Litigation Committee; Aviation Litigation Committee, Co-Chair (2000-2004); Mass Torts Litigation Committee, Co-Chair (2004-2006); Litigation Institute Training Task Force (2006-2009), 2024 | Aviation Law Institute, DePaul University College of Law (2014-Present), 2024 | Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA): Legislative Committee (1993-Present); Board of Advocates (1993-2001); Board of Managers (2001-Present), 2024 | American Association for Justice (AAJ): Aviation Law Section (1996-Present); Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway and Premises Liability Section (1999-Present); Products Liability Section (1999-Present); Railroad Law Section (1999-Present); Federal Tort Liability and Military Advocacy Section (1999-Present); Aviation Legislation Task Force (2008-Present), 2024 | Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA): Tort Law Committee (1989-Present); Civil Practice & Procedure Committee (1989-Present), 2024 | Kevin Durkin was appointed to Public Justice's Class Action Preservation Project (CAPP) committee., 2018 | American Bar Association (ABA), Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, Regional Chair (2011-2014), 2014 | DePaul University College of Law Center for Public Interest Advisory Board (2008-2010), 2010 | Chicago Bar Foundation: Board of Directors (2000-2008), 2008 | Chicago Bar Association (CBA): Board of Managers (1998-2000); Chairman, Appellate Review Committee (2001); Treasurer (2002-2004); Second Vice President (2004-2005); First Vice President (2005-2006); President (2006-2007), 2007 | U.S. District Court Northern District of New York, 2006, 2006 | Center for Conflict Resolution: Board of Directors (2001-2005), 2005 | U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, 2000, 2000 | Chicago Bar Association, Judicial Evaluation Committee: Investigation Division Member (1989-1991); Hearing Division Member (1991-1993); Vice Chairman of Investigation Division (1993-1994); Vice Chairman of Hearing Division (1994-1995); Chairman of Hearing Division (1995-1997); General Chairman (1997-1998), 1998 | U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1995, 1995 | U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 1993, 1993 | U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1980, 1980 | Illinois, 1980, 1980 | Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), 1980 | Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), 1980 | Chicago Bar Association (CBA), 1980 | American Bar Association (ABA), 1980 | Co-Chair of the Aviation Committee for the 75,000-member American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation
Speaking
Adjunct Faculty, DePaul College of Law, Taught trial advocacy course and complex litigation course, 1988 - 1994 | National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Certified Instructor, 1989 | Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, “The Value of Focus Groups,” March 28, 2015 | Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, “Ethics of Client Communications,” May 2, 2014 | American Bar Association, “Improper Statements and Conduct in Opening and Closing Arguments,” April 25, 2013 | American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, “Disaster in the Alps? Fight Over Forum,” June 3, 2010 | American Bar Association, Annual Meeting, “Objections,” July 30, 2009 | Law Bulletin Publishing Company, “Litigation Skills III Conference,” April 23, 2009 | Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, “Transportation Torts, Planes,” February 16, 2009 | Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Update and Review Seminar, “Fault Allocation Under Section 2-1117/Excluding Settling Defendants From Verdict Form,” October 13, 2008