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Contact Information
- Practice Groups:
Product Liability
Construction
Toxic Torts & Asbestos
Professional Liability
Employment & Labor
Governmental
Civil Rights Litigation/Section 1983
- Office Location:
Urbana , IL
- Phone:
217.344.0060
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Keith Fruehling
- Partner
Keith served as a Senior Assistant State's Attorney with Champaign County from 1994-1997. A native of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Keith joined the firm's Urbana office in 1997. He became a partner in 2004. Keith concentrates his practice in civil litigation, including the defense of asbestos claims arising from occupational and environmental exposures, including product and premises liability claims, employment law, civil rights, medical malpractice, construction, and product liability litigation.
Keith has tried many cases to verdict. He has represented Fortune 500 companies, universities, state and local governmental units, professionals and local businesses. Keith has successfully defended cases in which damages were claimed in the tens of millions of dollars.
Keith has personally managed the defense of and trial preparation of large groups of asbestos cases set for trial in Madison County, Illinois. In connection with that practice area, he has defended product manufacturers, fiber suppliers, equipment manufacturers, contractors and premises owners. He has defended the firm's clients at many depositions, including those of plaintiffs, co-defendants, co-workers, treating physicians and expert witnesses. He has drafted and argued countless motions, including: discovery, dismissal and summary judgment motions.
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Significant Cases
- Estate of Leon Rademacher v. Teledyne Industries, Inc., Teledyne Continental Motor, et al.
- A.F.S.C.M.E., et al. v. Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, et al. Illinois Governor made the executive decision to close the Pontiac Prison – part of the Illinois Department of Corrections system. In response, The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (A.F.S.C.M.E.) and others filed suit against the Governor and other defendants claiming the Governor did not have the right to take that action and sought a writ of mandamus Order commanding the Governor to reverse his decision and to continue operating the prison. A.F.S.C.M.E. also sought a temporary restraining Order (T.R.O.) preventing the Governor or the Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections from taking any action consistent with closing the prison until the Court ruled on the plaintiff's request for the writ. We responded to the Plaintiff's T.R.O. asking the Court to deny the issuance of the T.R.O. and filed a Motion to Dismiss the Plaintiff's Complaint for Writ of Mandamus. The Court denied the request for the temporary restraining order. The Court later dismissed the entire cause of action brought by Plaintiffs.
- Land v. Montgomery Health Care
- Melvina Hopkins, as Mother and Next Friend of Charles Lee, a Minor, et al. v. Bergman, et al.
- Estate of Beavers v. Champaign County v. Evercom Systems
Publications
- "Without Fear or Fervor," Defense Research Institute Judicial Task Force - Contributing author. The paper explored the current issues facing modern judiciary and methods of constructively addressing those issues. (2007)
Public Speaking
- “Current Evidentiary Issues: Collateral Source Rule (Arthur v. Catour)”
Heyl Royster 2005
- “Setting the Pace: FAQs - What Comes Into Evidence and What Does Not”
Heyl Royster 2004
- “Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Update”
Heyl Royster 2008
- “Litigation and the Importance of Insurance”
Illinois Drainage District Association 2007
Professional Recognition
- "Young Lawyer of the Year" by the Illinois State Bar Association in 2002 in recognition of significant dedication and contribution in the legal profession.
In 2007, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Publishing Company honored Keith by selecting him as one of "40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch." This prestigious award recognizes exceptional lawyering skills, significant contributions to the legal profession and substantial involvement in local community.
Professional Associations
- Illinois State Bar Association (Board of Governors 2002-2008; Chairman of the ISBA Task Force on the Unauthorized Practice of Law; Advertising, Public Relations, Personnel and Scope and Correlation Committees; Former Board liaison to multiple Section Councils; Bar Leadership Conference Special Committee on selecting an electronic research provider)
- Illinois Defense Counsel (Chairman of the Trial Academy Committee 2002-2007)
- Defense Research Institute (recently served on the Judicial Task Force which drafted a report entitled "Without Fear or Fervor," a basic overview of the issues currently facing the judiciary and how to begin constructively addressing long term solutions)
- American Bar Association (House of Delegates June 2000 - August 2007)
- Champaign County Bar Association (President 2001-2002)
Education
- Juris Doctor, The John Marshall Law School, 1993
- Bachelor of Science-Finance, University of Illinois, 1990
Community Involvement
- Head coach to local youth in soccer, basketball and baseball for the Champaign Park District, Kiwanis Club, YMCA, and the Peoria Diocese.
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