Lawyers / Professionals

 
Kenneth K. Dort       
Partner
77 West Wacker Drive
Suite 4100
Chicago, Illinois 60601-1818
T: 312.321.7665
F: 312.698.4574
kdort@mcguirewoods.com
 

Mr. Dort's practice focuses on information technology and intellectual property law issues, including software development and licensing, systems development and integration, data encryption and security, trade secret protection, and patent/copyright/trademark licensing and protection.

He is an experienced litigator who has handled cases at the trial and appellate levels throughout the United States in the above areas and others, such as patent, copyright and trademark infringement, breaches of data security systems, information systems development and implementation failures, open source software licensing and development, trade secret misappropriation, and related areas of complex commercial litigation and arbitration. He also advises clients on general corporate issues, business strategies, and related areas of information technology and intellectual property law at the national and international levels.


Practices & Industries
Honors
  • Named an "Illinois Leading Lawyer," Leading Lawyers Network, Information Technology and Intellectual Property, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
  • AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell (Highest Ranking)

Previous Experience
  • Partner, Gordon & Glickson, Chicago, Illinois, 1999-2006
  • Partner, Freeborn & Peters, 1994-1999; Associate, 1991-1994
  • Associate, Schuyler, Roche & Zwirner, 1988-1991
  • Associate, Latham & Watkins, 1986-1988

Publications
  • "Business-to-Business Data Breaches: Prevention, Immediate Actions and Remedies," Review of Banking and Financial Services, (publication for Fall 2010)
  • "Businesses' Data Collection: What Legal Risks Exist and Who Can Sue If Breaches Occur?," Legal Backgrounder, Washington Legal Foundation, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 16, 2009
  • "The USA Patriot Act: When Jurisdictional Goals and Priorities Clash Across Borders," International Technology Law Association Annual Meeting And World Conference, Chicago, Illinois, April 26-27, 2007
  • "When the Nightmare Occurs - Responding to the Loss of Employee Data," Federal Employment Law Insider, p. 1-3, February 2007
  • "Discovery in the Digital Era: Considerations for Corporate Counsel," The Computer & Internet Lawyer, September 2003, p. 11-21
  • "Strategies for Electronic Discovery," The Computer Law Association Bulletin, (Vol. 18, No. 4, 2003) p. 131-139

Speaking Engagements
  • "Business-to-Business Data Breach Disputes: Litigation Preparation and Considerations," Data Privacy and Information Security Conference, American Conference Institute, Dallas, Texas, June 3-4, 2010
  • "In-House Perspectives On Issues Surrounding the Internet Today," International Technology Law Association Annual Meeting and World Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, May 20-21, 2010
  • "HITECH: Balancing Privacy, Security and Access In An Interconnected World," 8th Annual Business & Legal Issues In Dialysis & Nephrology Symposium, Chicago, Illinois, May 12, 2010
  • "Business to Business Litigation Stemming from a Data Breach," National Advanced Forum on Litigation and Enforcement Preparedness for Data Privacy & Information Security, American Conference Institute, Dallas, Texas, June 3-4, 2010
  • Moderator, Panel on Developing eCommerce Intellectual Property and Open Source Issues, International Technology Law Association Annual Meeting and World Conference, Seattle, Washington, May 14-15, 2009
  • "HITECH Act: New Legal Issues For Software Implementation," 7th Annual Business & Legal Issues In Dialysis & Nephrology Symposium, Chicago, Illinois, May 13, 2009
  • "Electronic Discovery Considerations: New Rules of Civil Procedure," Document Retention and Destruction, Lorman Educational Symposium, Richmond, Virginia, September 10, 2008
  • "Cyber Security: Legal Considerations in an Era of Growing Uncertainty," McGuireWoods/Marsh Joint Cyber Risk Seminar, McLean and Richmond, Virginia, July 16-17, 2008
  • Panelist, Data Protection and National Security Concerns, Information Privacy Symposium, University of Virginia Law School, Charlottesville, Virginia, February 8, 2008
  • "The New Rules of Federal Civil Procedure: Impact On Electronic Discovery for Life Sciences Products Manufacturers," Current Issues in Life Sciences Products Liability Litigation Conference, Lake Forest, Illinois, October 10, 2007
  • "Intellectual Property Law: Recent Developments and Events," Technology Management Association of Chicago Presentation Dinner Series, Chicago, Illinois, October 1, 2007
  • "Electronic Discovery Considerations: New Rules of Civil Procedure," Document Retention and Destruction, Lorman Educational Symposium, Richmond, Virginia, September 11, 2007
  • "The USA Patriot Act: When Jurisdictional Goals and Priorities Clash Across Borders," International Technology Law Association Annual Meeting And World Conference, Chicago, Illinois, April 26-27, 2007
  • "Open Source Licensing: Recent Developments and Events," Complex Intellectual Property Licensing Conference (Co-chair), Law Seminars International, Chicago, Illinois, March 21-22, 2007
  • "Legal Considerations for Bringing Medical Records Into the 21st Century," 5th Annual Business & Legal Issues In Dialysis & Nephrology Symposium, Chicago, Illinois, October 19, 2006
  • "IT System Implementation Disputes: Minimizing Risk and Avoiding Litigation," McGuireWoods Roundtable Series, Chicago, Illinois, October 10, 2006
  • "IT Management Considerations: Software, Trade Secrets and Open Source," Corporate Counsel Conference, Law Seminars International, Chicago, Illinois, September 25-26, 2006
  • "Cyber Security: Legal Considerations in an Era of Growing Uncertainty," McGuireWoods/Marsh Joint Cyber Risk Seminar, McLean and Richmond, Virginia, June 27-28, 2006
  • "IT System Implementation Disputes: Minimizing Risk and Avoiding Litigation," McGuireWoods Roundtable Series, Chicago, Illinois, June 16, 2006
  • "VoIP Technologies: Ongoing Security Concerns and Considerations," Second Annual Managing VoIP Security Conference, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, May 17-18, 2006
  • "When Outsourcing Relationships Become Contentious: Avoiding Pitfalls, Finding Remedies and Preserving Relationships," Panel Chair, World Computer and Internet Law Congress and Annual Meeting, International Technology Law Association, San Francisco, California, May 4-5, 2006
  • "Open Source Licensing: Recent Developments and Events," Complex Intellectual Property Licensing Conference (Co-Chair), Law Seminars International, Chicago, Illinois, April 6-7, 2006
  • "What To Do When The Unthinkable Happens: Recent Events and Considerations," NETSECURE 2006, 4th Annual Computer and Network Security Conference and Expo, Illinois Institute of Technology, Rice Campus, Wheaton, Illinois, March 8, 2006
  • "Open Source Software Licensing: Business Considerations and Recent Developments," Technology Management Association of Chicago Presentation Dinner Series, Chicago, Illinois, January 9, 2006
  • "VoIP Technologies: Current Security Developments and Considerations," VoIP Conference & Expo 2005, Illinois Institute of Technology - Rice Campus, Wheaton, Illinois, October 27, 2005
  • "Open Source Licensing - Recent Developments and Events," Current Developments In Copyright Law, Law Seminars International, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 28, 2005
  • "Avoiding Software Copyright and Trade Secret Infringement: Best Practices and Procedures," New Developments in IP Strategy, Chicago, Illinois, August 3 - 4, 2005
  • "The Changing Landscape of Data Security: Considerations for E-mail," Privacy and Secure Communications Workshop, Oak Brook, Illinois, August 3, 2005
  • "VoIP Technologies: Current Security Considerations and Approaches," VoIP/Wireless Security Conference, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, August 1-2, 2005
  • "Litigating IP and IT Contracts Roundtable," Moderator and Co-Host, Navigant Consulting Luncheon/Roundtable Series, Chicago, Illinois, June 16, 2005
  • "Open Source Licensing: Best Practices and Procedures," Computer Law Association Roundtable Series, Chicago, Illinois, May 25, 2005
  • "Open Source Licensing - Recent Developments and Events," Copyright Law for Business People and Lawyers, Law Seminars International, Chicago, Illinois, May 23, 2005
  • "Radio Frequency Identification: Issues and Developments," Chicago Bar Association Luncheon Series, Chicago, Illinois, November 16, 2004
  • "Systems Development Issues and Practices," Tech Law for Business People & Lawyers, Law Seminars International, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, October 19, 2004
  • "Illinois Sunshine In Litigation Act - Pros and Cons," Chicago Bar Association Luncheon Series, Chicago, Illinois, September 19, 2003
  • "Strategies for Protecting Intellectual Property During Litigation," Chicago Bar Association Luncheon Series, Chicago, Illinois, December 17, 2002
  • "Discovery of Electronic Materials: Same Story with New Issues," 2nd Annual Comprehensive Conference on Information Technology Litigation, Law Seminars International, Atlanta, Georgia, December 10-11, 2002
  • "Combating Technology System Breaches," Illinois Corporate Security System Conference, Lake Forest, Illinois, September 5, 2002
  • "Confidentiality Agreements, Non-Competes and Other Employee-Related Agreements," CSA Explains: Web Hosting and Connectivity: Are You Up-To-Date? Chicago Software Association, Chicago, Illinois, April 19, 2002
  • "Private Labeling (and other eCommerce issues): Insurance Developments and Considerations," Zurich North America, Regional Corporate Lawyers Conference, Schaumburg, Illinois, April 4, 2002
  • "Strategies for Protecting Intellectual Property During Litigation," Information Technology Litigation Conference, Law Seminars International, Atlanta, Georgia, December 13-14, 2001

Professional Affiliations
  • American Bar Association
    • Sections on Litigation, Intellectual Property, and Science & Technology
  • American Health Lawyers Association
  • Chicago Bar Association
    • Committees on Intellectual Property, Litigation, Federal Civil Procedure, and Computer Law
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
    • Standing Committees on Trademark Law, Copyright Law, and Electronics & Computer Law
  • Association of Trial Lawyers of America
  • Chicago Lincoln Inn of Court
  • International Technology Law Association
    • Board of Directors, 2002-2008
    • Chairman, Membership Committee, 2003-2009
  • Technology Management Association of Chicago
    • Member, 2004-Present
    • Board of Directors
    • Secretary, 2005-2007
    • President, 2007-Present

Civic Affiliations
  • Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
    • President's Council, 2003-Present
    • Columbian Society, 2003-Present; Chair, Membership Committee, 2005-Present
    • Columbian Ball Committee
    • Annual Fund Committee
 

EDUCATION

University of Chicago Law School, Chicago, Illinois, J.D., 1986

Stanford University, Stanford, California, A.B., with Distinction and Honors, 1983

 
 

ADMITTED

Illinois 1986

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 1986

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Trial Bar 1989

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit 1987

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit 1993

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit 2008

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 1989

U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona

U.S. District Court for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of California

U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada

U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio

U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington