Kevin Luther

Credentials

Education

J.D., Washington University School of Law

B.A., Blackburn University, Mathematics and Economics, summa cum laude

Licensure(s) and Admission(s)

State Courts of Illinois

State Courts of Wisconsin

United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association

Illinois State Bar Association

State Bar of Wisconsin

Winnebago County Bar Association

Community Involvement

Keith Country Day School, Board of Trustees (2014-2017)

Results

• Arlene Bernardoni v. Huntsman Chemical Corp. – Applied the Frye principle to Illinois workers' compensation in the defense of an occupational disease/exposure claim. 
• Richard Urbanski v. Deichmueller Construction Co. – Defined jurisdictional issue in workers' compensation review.

Presentations/Publications

Presentations

“Human Resources Workshop,” Rockford Area Society for Human Resource Management (2017-2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

“Loss of Occupation: What you need to know and how to stop the trend in Illinois WC,” Heyl Royster's 34th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2023)

“Case Law Update,” Winnebago County Bar Association (2022)

“Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (PSEBA),” Illinois Municipal League (2022)

“Illinois Public Employee Disability Act (PEDA),” Illinois Municipal League (2022)

“2020 Case Law Update,” Winnebago County Bar Association (2020)

“Post COVID-19 Medical Issues: Telemedicine, IME's, FCE's; How Do We Cope With The New Normal?,” Heyl Royster WC Webinar Series (2020)

“Causation in Workers’ Compensation Claims,” SEAK National Workers’ Compensation & Occupational Medicine Conference (2018)

“Accident Caused by Risks Resulting from Everyday Activities: Moving Toward a New Standard? A Panel Discussion,” Heyl Royster's 33rd Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2018)

“Workers’ Compensation Case Law Update,” Winnebago County Bar Association (2018)

“Anti-Violence Training,” Keith Country Day School (2018)

“Workers’ Compensation Issues and Handling for Management,” Supervisor Training (2018)

“Workers’ Compensation Issues and Handling for Management,” City of Rockford (2017)

“X’s and O’s: Practice Pointer Forum,” Heyl Royster's 32nd Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2017)

“The Final Rule: 2016 Update to the FLSA,” Heyl Royster Governmental Seminar (2016)

“Drug and Alcohol Policies and Issues,” OrthoIllinois Occupational Health (2016)

“Stress in the Workplace,” Heyl Royster Employers' Day Seminar (2016)

“Drug and Alcohol Policies and Issues,” Heyl Royster Employers' Day Seminar (2016)

“WC Claims Handling Liability: What They Do When They Do Not Have a Case,” Heyl Royster's 31st Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2016)

“Workers’ Compensation Issues and Handling for Management,” Society for Human Resource Management (2015)

“OSHA Housecalls,” Rock River Human Resource Professional Association (2015)

“Case Law Update,” Winnebago County Bar Association (2015)

“News from your Receptionist: “OSHA is Holding on Line 1” – How to Handle the Call Focusing on New OSHA Guidelines,” Heyl Royster's 30th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2015)

“Recent Appellate Court Decisions,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce 7th Annual Workers’ Compensation and Safety Conference (2014)

“HIPAA: Legal Background and Current State of the Law,” City of Rockford Fire 911 Division (2014)

“Utilization Review and Section 8 Medical Bill Issues,” Heyl Royster 29th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2014)

“Ethics of Social Media,” Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission Judicial Training, Chicago (2012)

“A Program on the Extent to Which Employers May Monitor/Restrict Employees,” St. Mary’s Occupational Health & Wellness (2012)

“Workers’ Compensation, HIPAA and Employment Retaliatory Discharge Issues,” St. Mary’s Occupational Health & Wellness (2011)

“Workers’ Comp Reform - What Does it Mean to You?" Williams Manny (2011)

“Workers’ Compensation Case Law Update,” Winnebago County Bar Association (2011)

Publications

"Illinois Workers' Compensation Law," 2023-2024 (Vol. 27, Illinois Practice Series), beginning in 2009 and updated and published annually by Thomson Reuters since 2013.

"Survey of Illinois Law: Employment Law," Southern Illinois University Law Journal (2010)

"Economic Disability and Earning Capacity: A Historical Analysis for Wage Differential Claims," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly Monograph (2006)

"The Normal Daily Activity Exception to Workers' Compensation Claims," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly Monograph (2004)

"The Age Discrimination in Employment Act: A Seventh Circuit Perspective," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly Monograph (1998)

"The Impact of Federal Legislation on the Employer/Employee Relationship in Illinois," Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly Monograph (1996)

"An Overview of Repetitive Trauma Claims," Illinois Bar Journal (1992)

Awards/Recognition

• Leading Lawyer by Law Bulletin Media℠
• Rated AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®
• Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers®, 2020-2021

Public Profile

Our esteemed colleague, Kevin Luther, retired effective December 31, 2024. Kevin was an invaluable member of the Heyl Royster team, and we thank him for his many years of hard work and dedication to our clients. We wish him all the best for his retirement.

If you have any questions concerning Kevin's retirement, please reach out to Tobin Taylor at ttaylor@heylroyster.com. Tobin will be able to provide you with any information you may need.