Smith Renee D

For businesses and corporations seeking elite legal representation in complex and high-stakes disputes, Renee D. Smith stands as a formidable litigation partner within the "Nearby Lawyers" category in Chicago. As a key attorney at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, a globally recognized law firm, Ms. Smith operates from their prominent Chicago office. While the provided address format "300 Ogilvie/Union, IL - Lasalle/Clark, IL, Chicago, IL 60654, USA" appears to describe a general downtown Chicago area, it is understood that she practices from Kirkland & Ellis's established Chicago location. For direct inquiries, she can be reached at (312) 862-2310 or +1 312-862-2310.

Renee D. Smith is a Chambers-ranked litigation partner, indicating her exceptional standing and recognition within the legal profession. Her practice is primarily focused on representing Fortune 500 companies and other major corporations in high-profile, complex products liability, class action, and commercial litigation. Her track record includes securing numerous trial defense verdicts and other significant wins for a wide array of prominent clients across various industries.

While the provided address string is somewhat generalized, Renee D. Smith practices at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, one of the world's leading law firms, which maintains a substantial presence in Chicago. Kirkland & Ellis's Chicago office is typically located in a premier downtown skyscraper, reflecting the firm's stature and commitment to a high-caliber professional environment. Such an office setting would feature state-of-the-art facilities, including numerous high-tech conference rooms equipped for virtual hearings and client meetings, extensive legal research libraries (both physical and digital), and secure client data management systems. The environment is designed to support sophisticated legal work, foster collaboration among a large team of attorneys and staff, and provide a discreet and highly professional atmosphere for sensitive client matters. The precise location within the 60654 zip code, encompassing significant transportation hubs like Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station, as well as key business districts along LaSalle and Clark Streets, ensures excellent accessibility for clients traveling from various parts of Chicago and beyond. This strategic positioning in a major legal and financial center underscores the firm's capacity to handle complex cases with broad implications.

Renee D. Smith's legal expertise is highly specialized and geared towards complex defense litigation for corporate clients. Her primary practice areas include:

• Product Liability Litigation: Ms. Smith is a leading attorney in defending clients against high-stakes product liability claims. This involves cases where products are alleged to have caused injury or damage due to defects in design, manufacturing, or warnings. She has successfully defended major corporations such as 3M, Abbott Labs, AbbVie Inc., Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Dow Chemical, W.R. Grace, General Motors LLC, and Juul Labs, Inc. Her experience extends to a wide range of products, including those involved in federal multidistrict litigation (MDLs). For instance, she served as trial counsel in the federal MDL and related state cases concerning General Motors Ignition Switch Litigation, where she secured defense verdicts in three bellwether trials and won summary judgment and Daubert motions leading to dismissals of hundreds of personal injury claims. Similarly, she acted as trial counsel for Baxter Healthcare Corporation in the In re Heparin Products Liability Litigation, achieving successful Daubert and summary judgment motions resulting in dismissals of hundreds of claims.
• Class Action Litigation: She possesses significant experience in defending companies against complex class action lawsuits, which involve large groups of plaintiffs bringing similar claims. Her work in this area often overlaps with product liability, as many product-related disputes evolve into class actions.
• Commercial Litigation: Ms. Smith represents clients in a variety of complex commercial disputes. This can involve contractual disagreements, business torts, and other high-value conflicts that arise in a corporate context.
• Mass Tort Litigation: Related to product liability, she handles mass tort cases, which involve numerous individuals suffering harm from a common cause, often a defective product or environmental exposure. Her expertise in managing such extensive and complex litigation is well-documented.
• Toxic Tort Litigation: Her experience includes defending against claims related to exposure to hazardous substances.
• Trial Practice: A defining feature of Ms. Smith's practice is her extensive experience as a trial lawyer. She has won jury trials in multiple federal MDLs and other state and federal courts across the country, demonstrating her strong courtroom advocacy skills.

Renee D. Smith's professional profile is marked by several significant features and high-level expertise:

• Chambers Ranking: She is consistently recognized by Chambers USA for her exceptional work in Product Liability, Mass Tort, and Class Action defense, particularly in Consumer Products, Automotive/Transport, and Toxic Tort categories. This is a highly selective ranking based on in-depth market research and client feedback.
• Benchmark Litigation and Law360 Recognition: She has been recognized as a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation (2024–2025) and a "Product Liability MVP" by Law360 (2023), further cementing her reputation as a leading attorney in her field.
• "Distinguished Advisor" by Financier Worldwide: In 2024, she was recognized as a "Distinguished Advisor" for Product Liability by Financier Worldwide, highlighting her strategic insight and effectiveness.
• Extensive Trial Victories: Her track record of securing defense verdicts in bellwether trials for major corporations in significant MDLs (such as GM Ignition Switch and Heparin Products Liability) underscores her capability to handle and win complex, high-stakes cases.
• Fortune 500 Client Base: Her representation of a roster of Fortune 500 companies like 3M, Abbott Labs, AbbVie Inc., and General Motors speaks to the trust and confidence that major corporations place in her legal abilities.
• Judicial Clerkship and Government Experience: Her prior experience includes an internship with the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Monopolies, and Business Rights, which provides her with valuable insight into legislative and regulatory aspects of the legal issues she handles.

For local users, especially corporate entities or in-house counsel searching for "Nearby Lawyers" with exceptional litigation capabilities, Renee D. Smith at Kirkland & Ellis LLP presents an unparalleled option for defense in complex product liability, class action, and commercial disputes. Her extensive accolades and successful trial record are powerful promotional points. The fact that she is a Chambers-ranked attorney, a "Litigation Star," and an "MVP" in product liability speaks directly to her recognized expertise and effectiveness in achieving favorable outcomes for her clients.

Companies facing significant legal challenges, particularly those involving mass torts, consumer class actions, or high-profile product-related claims, would find Ms. Smith's specific experience invaluable. Her ability to secure defense verdicts in complex federal MDLs demonstrates a strategic and tactical prowess that is highly sought after by corporate clients. The firm's global presence and extensive resources further augment the support she can provide to her clients. While direct individual testimonials are not publicly available in the same way as smaller firms, her consistent recognition by prestigious legal ranking bodies and her representation of industry giants serve as strong evidence of her high-quality legal service and client trust. Prospective corporate clients are encouraged to contact Kirkland & Ellis LLP at (312) 862-2310 or +1 312-862-2310 to discuss their defense needs with a lawyer of Renee D. Smith's caliber, ensuring they have robust representation for their most critical litigation matters.