Livia M. Kiser (Liv)

• Lead counsel is a proposed class action alleging arsenic in spices caused harm to consumers who purchased the products. Case resolved for de minimis amount after recall implemented.
• Lead counsel in a series of Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (California's "Proposition 65") relating to a variety of allegedly carcinogenic and toxic substances in food and other consumer products. Cases resolved on very favorable terms through informal negotiations.
• Lead counsel in a proposed class action alleging the engine compartments of certain model vehicles emit noxious and toxic substances into the vehicles' passenger cabins, allegedly rendering the vehicles undrivable and causing vehicle occupants to require medical treatment.
• Lead counsel in a proposed class action brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) seeking more than $600 million in damages as a result of defendant allegedly having sent facsimiles to recipients that purportedly lacked legally-sufficient opt-out notices. Successfully defeated class certification on predominance grounds.
• Lead counsel in a proposed class action alleging vehicle transmissions are defective; persuaded Court to dismiss the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act claim for failing to name at least 100 named plaintiffs; Court rejected the notion it had jurisdiction over the MMWA claim based on diversity.
• Lead counsel in a proposed class action alleging violations of state and federal warranty laws brought on behalf of a Wisconsin resident. Liv successfully obtained dismissal of the case on grounds that Illinois lacked sufficient contacts to confer general personal jurisdiction over American Honda.
• Lead counsel in a proposed class action alleging violations to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) that was successfully resolved on very favorable terms prior to the filing of a responsive pleading.
• Co-lead counsel in a proposed class action against Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. alleging excessive oil consumption in certain Toyota vehicles; successfully argued Plaintiff lacked standing; case was dismissed, with costs awarded to Toyota.
• In a proposed class action brought by Oregon and Washington residents against Ford Motor Co., Inc. in California, successfully argued that the State of California lacked sufficient contacts to assert general personal jurisdiction over Ford. Plaintiffs declined to appeal the district court’s dismissal of Ford.
• Lead counsel in an MDL consolidating nine consumer class actions filed throughout the U.S. alleging 2015 Honda CR-Vs vibrate excessively. Resolved favorably through a Rule 23(b)(2) settlement where the remedy is to provide “enhanced” notice of pre-existing, effective countermeasures to the relatively few consumers who complained.
• Lead counsel in a proposed class action alleging an internet advertising service provider breached its service agreements by invoicing allegedly misleading charges; successfully resolved after preliminary motion practice and targeted discovery of plaintiff.
• Lead counsel in a proposed class action against U.S. automotive distributor and foreign parent alleging the pedal bracket assembly in certain vehicles was defective; Plaintiffs sought to certify classes and subclasses in more than ten states. Resolved on favorable terms after a favorable ruling on a motion to dismiss and targeted discovery of plaintiffs.
• Lead counsel in a proposed class action alleging Defendants sent unwanted facsimile advertisements to Plaintiff and members of the proposed classes. Defeated class certification by successfully proving Plaintiff and all of its counsel (more than 10 lawyers and 3 law firms) were inadequate.

Liv Kiser helps leading companies navigate high-stakes litigation, including class action defense, multidistrict litigation (MDL), consumer protection, privacy, and product liability disputes—delivering trial-ready strategies that protect brands, reduce exposure, and position cases for early, favorable outcomes. Drawing on deep courtroom experience and a record of shaping favorable legal precedent, she develops strategies that defeat class certification and resolve complex matters efficiently in California, Illinois, and nationwide.

Liv Kiser represents companies in complex litigation in California and Illinois state and federal courts, as well as nationwide, including class actions, MDLs, mass torts, and products liability litigation involving alleged design defects, manufacturing defects, and failure-to-warn claims. Her practice includes defending product liability class actions, coordinated proceedings, and high-exposure claims involving consumer products, automobiles, consumables such as food and beverages, over the counter medicines and medical devices, dietary supplements, and other regulated products. She also handles privacy litigation, false advertising, and unfair competition matters.

She regularly defends claims under California’s UCL, FAL, CLRA, and CCPA/CPRA, as well as Illinois consumer protection laws, including the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). In the product liability context, she advises on litigation and regulatory risk arising from product safety issues, labeling and warnings, recalls, and FDA or state enforcement scrutiny.

She works with companies in highly regulated industries to assess jurisdiction-specific litigation and regulatory risk early, develop case-defining strategies, and position matters for dismissal, defeat of class certification, summary judgment, or trial. Her practice includes defending multi-forum disputes and regulatory enforcement actions brought by state and federal agencies, as well as parallel federal and state proceedings.

Companies turn to Liv for clear, practical guidance in product liability defense, class action litigation, regulatory enforcement defense, and emerging privacy risks, including BIPA, artificial intelligence and evolving data privacy laws involving technologies. She identifies dispositive issues early, builds strong records for early resolution, and aligns legal strategy with business priorities to deliver efficient, outcome-driven results. Clients describe her as “brilliant” and “a creative thinker.” 

A trial lawyer at her core, Liv prepares every case with a focus on trial—developing arguments that not only win individual disputes but also shape applicable law, deter copycat litigation, and influence broader enforcement and litigation trends. She helps clients stay ahead of developments in consumer protection and privacy law, manage parallel proceedings, and respond effectively in high-pressure disputes.

Across industries, Liv partners with companies to protect brand integrity, maintain consumer trust, and advance long-term business objectives—delivering decisive advocacy in California and Illinois litigation, regulatory enforcement actions, products liability litigation, and trial proceedings nationwide.