Law School: University of Illinois College of Law, J.D., 1973
College: University of Illinois, B.A., 1971
Gary R. Kardell is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and the U.S. District Court (Federal Court). Mr. Kardell has successfully tried over 90 jury cases in both state and federal courts over 35 years. He is a native of Rockford, Illinois. He graduated from University of Illinois in 1970. In May 1973, he graduated from University of Illinois College of Law. He then began practice in the Winnebago County States Attorney’s office trying felony cases until 1977. He entered private practice with the firm of Brassfield, Cowan and Howard concentrating on insurance defense litigation representing numerous insurance companies from 1977 to 1987. He left the firm and joined the law firm of Mateer & Erickson continuing to represent insurance clients he had previously represented and others at the firm. In 1994, he joined as a partner the law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson where he continued his insurance defense practice. He also represented St. Anthony Hospital and Freeport Memorial Hospital in medical malpractice cases, the Catholic Diocese of Rockford and various Rockford corporations involving claims of sexual, racial and age discrimination, and tried cases before the Illinois Department of Human Rights. He left Hinshaw & Culbertson in 2013 and rejoined Mateer Goff & Associates.
Mr. Kardell has served as an arbitrator in Northern Illinois for uninsured and underinsured motorist arbitrations and has served as an approved Arbitrator for the 17th Judicial Circuit.
Mr. Kardell has taught law as an adjunct instructor at Rock Valley College for 37 years teaching classes covering torts, contracts, labor law, agency relations, employment discrimination, securities law, federal and state procedure, and certain constitutional provisions, such as the commerce clause, 1st Amendment, 4th Amendment and 5th Amendment.
Mr. Kardell has been rated by his peers and was and is named a Leading Lawyer in Illinois.