Kevin P. Caraher

Member

Kevin P. Caraher brings more than 30 years of experience in handling major subrogation claims to Cozen O’Connor, including matters involving complex multiparty property damage and business interruption litigation arising from design and construction errors, fires, explosions, structural collapses, defective products, energy, transportation, and cargo losses. A significant amount of Kevin’s practice has also been concentrated in matters involving complex commercial litigation, appellate work, and all forms of alternative dispute resolution.

A member of the Federal Trial Bar, Kevin has litigated a multitude of cases to judgment throughout the country in more than 30 states and in numerous federal district courts. He has obtained multimillion dollar judgments and settlements on losses involving petrochemical plants, warehouses, manufacturing plants, residences, restaurants, distribution centers, industrial spray dryers, and food production facilities. He has developed innovative methods for multiparty site investigation, avoidance of spoliation issues, and resolution of complex claims. He has particular experience in matters involving complex science, engineering, and technology issues.

Kevin earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1978 from Lawrence University and his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1981 where he served as a research assistant to the dean of the law school. From 1981 to 1984, Kevin served as a judicial clerk to Justice Daniel P. Ward of the Illinois Supreme Court.

Kevin has been selected by his peers as a member in the Leading Lawyers Network (generally regarded as representing the top 5% of lawyers in Illinois) in the areas of commercial litigation and in insurance, insurance coverage, and reinsurance.

News

Leading Lawyers Network Recognizes 23 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers as Top Illinois Practitioners

March 02, 2022

The Leading Lawyers Network has named 22 Cozen O’Connor lawyers to its annual list of Illinois’ top practitioners and named one other as an Emerging Lawyer in its 2022 survey results.

Leading Lawyers Network Recognizes 26 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers as Top Illinois Practitioners

January 26, 2021

The Leading Lawyers Network has named 24 Cozen O’Connor lawyers to its annual list of Illinois’ top practitioners and named two others as Emerging Lawyers in its 2021 survey results.

Leading Lawyers Network Recognizes 17 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers as Top Illinois Practitioners

May 21, 2019

The Leading Lawyers Network has named 17 Cozen O’Connor lawyers to its annual list of Illinois’ top practitioners - including one Emerging Lawyer - in its 2019 survey results.

Deerfield Resident, Chicago Attorney Kevin Caraher Helps Wrongly Imprisoned Man Win Freedom

May 15, 2018

Kevin Caraher, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Subrogation and Recovery Department, helped win a case for a pro bono client with the Illinois Innocence Project.

How Changes in Fire Science Got a Man Out of Prison for Murder [Chicago Daily Law Bulletin]

April 20, 2018

Kevin Caraher, of Cozen O'Connor's Subrogation and Recovery Department, was profiled in the April 20 Chicago Daily Law Bulletin discussing how changes in fire science was able to get a man out of prison for murder.

Publications

Wisconsin Modifies Civil Procedure, Limits Discovery, and Reduces Repose Period for Improvements to Realty [Subrogation & Recovery Alert]

July 09, 2018

Kevin Caraher discusses the changes the Wisconsin legislature made to the procedural law this spring.

Illinois Tightens Settlement Procedures [Subrogation & Recovery Law Blog]

April 03, 2014

We have all experienced the frustration of having negotiated an acceptable settlement recovery after years of loss investigation and discovery, only to have the settling defendant drag its heels in terms of proffering a release and/or tendering the settlement proceeds. That frustration will be felt...

Super-Recoveries [Subrogation & Recovery Law Blog]

October 18, 2011

There is a common misperception that a subrogee may never recover more than the amount of its subrogation interest. While it can be challenging to even make a 100% recovery, sometimes there are opportunities available to make a super-recovery – one in excess of the subrogation interest. The...

Summer 2010 [Subrogation & Recovery Observer]

July 29, 2010

Summer 2010 - Subrogation & Recovery Observer -

Fall 2009 [Subrogation and Recovery Observer]

October 01, 2009

Fall 2009 - Subrogation and Recovery Observer - Welcome to the Fall 2009 issue of the Cozen O'Connor Subrogation and Recovery Observer. In this issue, we report on our recent trial victories, notable settlements, and other newsworthy developments in subrogation issues

Events & Seminars

Past Events

2014 Milwaukee Subrogation Seminar

August 20, 2014 - Milwaukee, WI

2011 Des Moines Subrogation Seminar

August 10, 2011 - Des Moines, IA

Industry Sectors

Education

  • Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, J.D., 1981
  • Lawrence University, B.A., 1978

Awards & Honors

Leading Lawyers Network, Top Illinois Practitioner

2017 Defender of the Innocent Award from the Illinois Innocence Project

  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Wisconsin
  • Ontario
  • U.S. District Court -- Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court -- Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court -- Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court -- Western District of Wisconsin

Justice Daniel P. Ward, Illinois Supreme Court

  • American Trial Lawyers Association
  • Blue Goose Association
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Lake County (IL) Bar Association (The)
  • Northern District of Illinois General and Trial Bar