Michael Kokal

Practices

• Business & Commercial Litigation
• Casualty & Tort
• Civil Rights & Correctional Healthcare Litigation
• Construction
• Intellectual Property
• Medical Malpractice
• Product Liability
• Professional Liability

Credentials

Education

J.D., University of Missouri School of Law, Order of the Coif

M.A., Washington University of St. Louis, Intellectual History

B.S., University of Notre Dame, Electrical Engineering

Licensure(s) and Admission(s)

State Courts of Illinois

State Courts of Missouri

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

United States Supreme Court

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

Illinois Defense Counsel

Illinois State Bar Association

Madison County Bar Association

Sangamon County Bar Association

The Missouri Bar Association

Community Involvement

Missouri Air National Guard, Past Captain

Notre Dame Alumni Association of Central Illinois

Springfield Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Springfield International Visitors Commission, Commissioner

Springfield Midtown Rotary, Past President

Results

• Frey v. Shell – Defense verdict in products liability case involving alleged permanent eye injury.
• Freeland v. AM – Successful defense of Fortune 500 company in federal products liability trial involving disability and brain injury.
• Gulley v. F, M.D. – Defense verdict in a malpractice case involving intra-cranial abscess.
• Jordan v. Maloney – Defense verdict in professional liability and fraud case against home inspector and realtor.
• Hoskins v. F, M.D. – Defense verdict in federal malpractice and civil rights case involving metastatic prostate cancer.
• Gallina v. W, M.D. – Defense verdict in a malpractice case involving talar neck fracture.
• Bahrs v. B, M.D. – Defense verdict in federal civil rights case involving colon cancer.
• Magurany v. S – Defense verdict in rear-end collision resulting in partial paralysis and brain damage.
• Stephenson v. O, M.D. – Defense verdict in federal civil rights case involving back surgery.
• Three arbitration victories for a Fortune 100 Internet/Cable Company in cases involving breach of contract, fraud, and alleged violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Presentations/Publications

Presentations

“Cybersecurity Issues for Engineers,” Illinois Engineering Law Seminar (2021)

“Healing Ambassador Training Program,” Illinois Public Health Association (2021)

“Patent Lawyer Panel,” Bradley University (2020)

“Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights,” Central Illinois Chapter of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) (2019)

“Blockchain’s Effects On Not-For-Profits,” Illinois CPA Society (2018)

“E-Discovery, Social Media and Cybersecurity,” Heyl Royster's 33rd Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2018)

“Spygate: Cyber Security - HIPAA/HITECH Requirements/Confidentiality & Data Breaches,” Heyl Royster's 32nd Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2017)

“Outlining Your Plan of Action,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2014)

“Social Security Liens In Tort Litigation,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2012)

“What Every Claims Professional Needs to Know About Conflicts of Interest, Good Faith Duty to Settle and Time Limit Demands,” Heyl Royster (2007)

“Recent Developments in Case Law,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Chicago and Springfield presentations (2001)

Publications

“Cybersecurity Consideration in a Remote Work Environment,” Springfield Business Journal (2021)

“Small Business Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things,” Springfield Business Journal (2019)

"The Charitable Powers of Blockchain Technology," Springfield Business Journal (2018)

“Cyber Security Recommendations for Small Business,” InterBusiness Issues (2017)

"Seven Cybersecurity Recommendations for Small Businesses," Springfield Business Journal (2017)

"Buckle Up for Cybersecurity," Springfield Business Journal (2017)

“Blockchain Technology for Business,” Springfield Business Journal (2017)

"What Every Claims Professional Needs to Know About Conflicts of Interest, Good Faith Duty to Settle and Time Limit Demands," Heyl Royster (2007)

Missouri Wrongful Death Statute, Missouri Law Review (1992)

Awards/Recognition

• Leading Lawyer by Law Bulletin Media℠

Public Profile

Mike is an accomplished speaker, author, and trial attorney with extensive experience in casualty, civil rights, construction, commercial litigation, intellectual property, and professional and product liability. Licensed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), Mike is Chair of the firm's Intellectual Property Practice. 

Mike has presented to the Illinois CPA Society and the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education on topics including blockchains, e-discovery, social media, cybersecurity, and smart contracts. He has also authored various articles published in the Missouri Law Review (where he served as Managing Editor), the Springfield Business Journal, and InterBusiness Issues. Mike has been recognized by his peers and selected as a Leading Lawyer in Illinois.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame. Before embarking on his legal career, he gained valuable experience as an electrical engineer at Ralston Purina in St. Louis. He earned his J.D. (Order of the Coif) from the University of Missouri School of Law. Following his graduation, Mike served as a judicial clerk to Federal District Judge Richard Mills in Springfield, Illinois. He then entered private practice in Springfield, focusing on medical malpractice, product liability, and commercial litigation. Mike has been with Heyl Royster since 2000, transitioning to the Edwardsville office in 2003, becoming a partner in 2004, and eventually returning to the Springfield office in 2011.