Heyl Royster

Kent Plotner

Practice Groups:

Product Liability

Toxic Torts & Asbestos

Office Locations:

Edwardsville, IL

Phone: 618.656.4646

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News

Heyl Royster Attorneys Selected in 2023 Best Lawyers® Class of 2023 - 08/25/2022

Heyl Royster Attorneys Named "Best Lawyers®" in America - 08/19/2021

60 Heyl Royster Attorneys Top 2021 Leading Lawyers List - 08/04/2021

Heyl Royster Transitions Toxic Asbestos Practice Leadership to Meet the Future - 04/23/2021

13 Heyl Royster Attorneys Selected by Illinois Super Lawyers in 2021 - 02/12/2021

Heyl Royster Attorneys Named "Best Lawyers" in America - 08/31/2020

67 Heyl Royster Attorneys Top 2020 Leading Lawyers List - 07/30/2020

14 Heyl Royster Attorneys Selected by Illinois Super Lawyers in 2020 - 02/29/2020

Heyl Royster Attorneys Named "Best Lawyers" in America - 08/15/2019

64 Heyl Royster Attorneys Top 2019 Leading Lawyers’ List - 06/28/2019

17 Heyl Royster Attorneys Selected by Illinois Super Lawyers in 2019 - 01/25/2019

Heyl Royster Attorneys Named "Best Lawyers" in America - 08/24/2018

79 Heyl Royster Attorneys Top Leading Lawyers’ Latest List - 05/31/2018

23 Heyl Royster Attorneys Selected by Illinois Super Lawyers in 2018 - 02/02/2018

Heyl Royster Partners Named "Best Lawyers" in America - 09/15/2017

60 Heyl Royster Attorneys on Leading Lawyers’ Latest List - 06/29/2017

24 Heyl Royster Attorneys Selected as 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers - 03/10/2017

57 Heyl Royster Attorneys Recognized by Leading Lawyers - 04/22/2016

26 Heyl Royster Attorneys Selected as 2016 Illinois Super Lawyers - 02/05/2016

27 Heyl Royster Attorneys Selected as Super Lawyers - 02/20/2015

26 Heyl Royster Attorneys Selected as Super Lawyers - 02/21/2014

25 Heyl Royster Attorneys Selected as Super Lawyers - 01/31/2013

Fifteen Heyl Royster Attorneys Selected as Super Lawyers and Eight Named as Rising Stars - 04/25/2012

Education

  • Juris Doctor, Saint Louis University, 1985
  • Bachelor of Science-Environmental Health, Illinois State University, 1980

Year Joined Firm

1985

 

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Heyl Royster

 

Attorneys

Kent Plotner (Office Managing Partner/Shareholder)

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Kent concentrates his practice in the defense of toxic tort claims arising from environmental and occupational exposures, including product liability and premises liability claims. He is the managing partner of the Edwardsville office and former Chair of the firm's Toxic Torts & Asbestos practice group. While Kent is primarily involved with the defense of asbestos personal injury cases filed in Illinois and Missouri, he also participates in the defense of glyphosate, diacetyl, talc, and benzene lawsuits within the state and federal courts. In addition, Kent also practices in the areas of insurance coverage and general tort defense.

Kent joined the firm in 1985, and has been practicing in the firm's Edwardsville, Illinois office since 1988. Edwardsville is located in Madison County, Illinois, about 20 miles to the northeast of St. Louis, Missouri, which are two venues widely known for their active litigation dockets. He has served as trial counsel for numerous clients including product manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, fiber suppliers, contractors and premises owners. He also has assisted various national coordinating counsel with the defense of toxic tort claims in the states of Illinois and Missouri.

Kent graduated from St. Louis University School of Law in 1985. He received his undergraduate degree in Environmental Health from Illinois State University in 1980. Prior to going to law school, Kent served as the Director of Environmental Health for the Logan County (Illinois) Health Department from 1980 to 1982.

He has been designated one of the "Leading Lawyers" in Illinois as a result of a survey of Illinois attorneys conducted by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Kent has also been named to the 2010-2021 Illinois Super Lawyers list. The Super Lawyers selection process is based on peer recognition and professional achievement. Only five percent of the lawyers in each state earn this designation.

Significant Cases

  • Willis, et al. v. 84 Lumber Co., et al. No. 07-L-0327 (Ill. 7th Jud. Cir. Ct., Sangamon Cty 2008) Defense verdict for CertainTeed Corporation in a living mesothelioma claim.
  • Berry v. American Standard, Inc. 382 Ill. App. 3d 895 (5th Dist. 2008) Denial of use of deceased plaintiff's discovery deposition as admissible evidence to defeat defendant's summary judgment motion.
  • Hobbs v. Hartford Ins. Co. 214 Ill. 2d 11 (2005) Client victory when Illinois Appellate Court (Second District) ruled that no ambiguity existed in auto policy that would allow for stacking of insurance coverage.

Public Speaking

  • “Asbestos Injury Claims Against Employers in Missouri”
    HarrisMartin's Midwest Asbestos Litigation Conference 2010
  • “Asbestos: Current Issues and Effective Litigation Tactics - Overcoming the Complexities of Asbestos Claim Disputes”
    National Business Institute 2009
  • “Outbreak Session: Roundtable Discussion: Hot Jurisdictions/Madison County, IL”
    DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar 2002
  • “Preexisting Injuries: When Are They Admissible?”
    Heyl Royster 14th Annual Claims Handling Seminar 1999
  • “Exploring the Claimant’s Mind-Has it Been Injured?”
    Heyl Royster 9th Annual Claims Handling Seminar 1994

Professional Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America (2018-2022): Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
  • Selected as a Leading Lawyer in Illinois. Only five percent of lawyers in the state are named as Leading Lawyers.
  • Named to the Illinois Super Lawyers list (2010-2021). The Super Lawyers selection process is based on peer recognition and professional achievement. Only five percent of the lawyers in each state earn this designation.

Professional Associations

  • Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Madison County Bar Association
  • St. Clair County Bar Association
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
  • The Missouri Bar Association

Court Admissions

  • State Courts of Illinois and Missouri
  • United States District Court, Southern and Central Districts of Illinois (Trial Bar)
  • United States District Court, Western District of Missouri
  • United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Community Involvement

  • Board of Directors, Camp Ondessonk
  • Member, Madison County Capital Campaign Board for Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, 2015
  • Participant in multiple school and church activities associated with Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Fairview Heights, IL