It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Kirk Dillman.
Kirk joined McKool Smith in 2011 with the arrival of Hennigan Dorman in Los Angeles and specialized in complex commercial litigation and trial practice, primarily involving finance, securities, energy, trade secrets, and real estate matters.
During his 40+ years of practice, Kirk served as lead counsel for major real estate developers, technology companies, religious and financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals, among others, and regularly prosecuted high-profile actions against many of the world’s largest public companies. His notable representations include securing more than $400 million in settlements from Bank of America and others on behalf of lenders in connection with claims arising from the financial collapse of the Fontainebleau Resort and Casino project in Las Vegas. He also represented the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in a wide variety of commercial matters, including a dispute that made international news and involved the sale of the former convent Villa San Giuseppe to pop star Katy Perry.
Kirk was a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law and earned a degree in Philosophy from Reed College. Over the years, he was consistently recognized as one of the nation’s leading litigators by numerous legal publications, including Chambers USA, Lawdragon, and Best Lawyers, among others. Kirk was awarded the 2018 Jim Robbie Award by the Litigation Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. This award honors trial attorneys in Los Angeles County who best exemplify the qualities of professionalism and civility.