Larry E. Hepler

Larry E. Hepler focuses his practice on the defense of complex, multiparty civil cases and class actions involving a wide range of subjects, including all aspects of consumer fraud, personal injury, products liability, pharmaceutical, commercial, toxic torts, construction, and insurance litigation. He has represented clients in numerous jurisdictions, with a primary emphasis in Illinois and Missouri.

Education

• Washington & Lee University, J.D., magna cum laude, 1968
• Bucknell University, B.A. in Economics, 1965

LAW SCHOOL HONORS/INVOLVEMENT

• Order of the Coif
• Omicron Delta Kappa
• Washington & Lee Law Review
  • Articles Editor

Admissions & Affiliations

• Illinois
• Missouri
• United States Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
• U.S. District Courts for the
  • Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois
  • Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri

Honors & Awards

• AV Preeminent^® Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell
• Best Lawyers in America (2007-2025)
• FDCC Lifetime Achievement Award (2025)
• Illinois Leading Lawyer (2003-2025)
  • Advisory Board Member
  • Featured in Leading Lawyers Network Magazine-Business Edition, “Plaintiffs' Lawyers Need Their ‘A’ Game When Facing this Madison County Defense Attorney” (2009)
• Illinois Super Lawyer (2005-2024)
• International Who's Who of Product Liability Defence [sic] Lawyers (2016-2017)

News

Events & Speaking Engagements

Mr. Hepler has given numerous presentations on legal topics to groups such as Council of Owners and Construction Associates, Defense Research Institute, Federation of Defense & Corporation Counsel, Illinois Bar Association Law Education Series, and Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.

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• Council of Owners and Construction Associates
  • “Comparison of Construction Safety Act of 2008 to Structural Work Act”
• Defense Research Institute
  • “Advanced Technology in the Law Practice”
• Federation of Defense & Corporation Counsel
  • “Developments & Trends in Product Liability Cases”
  • “Winning the Pre-Trial Battle - If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them: Leaving it Behind”
  • “Closed Head Injuries – Cross Examination of the Neuropsychologist”
  • “Pre-Trial Strategies – Use of Focus Groups, Mock Trials, Jury Selection Techniques & Settlement Strategies”
  • “Class Actions and State Consumer Fraud Statutes”
  • “Diary for Federal Litigation in the Wake of the 1993 Amendments to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure”
  • “The Use of Technology in the Courtroom”
  • “The Federal Rules and Their Application to Your Practice”
  • “Law Office Management and the Use of Technology”
  • “Challenging the Status Quo, Reversing Your Litigation Tactics”
  • “Anatomy of a Hellhole”
  • “Use of Summation and Application to Trial”
  • “Trial Witnesses – Selection, Care, Feeding & Understanding Mastery of Direct Examination”
• Illinois Bar Association Law Education Series
  • “Hot Tips – Proven and Winning Ways in Personal Injury Cases” (1993)
  • “Products Liability: In-Depth Study of Litigation Involving Products” (1992)
  • “How to Present and Defend a Personal Injury Case” (1991)
  • “Hot Tips on Handling and Avoiding Common Settlement and Trial Problems” (1991)
• Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education
  • “Hot Tips for Responding to Plaintiff’s Request for Money”
  • “How to Minimize Plaintiff’s Disability and Suffering”
  • “Expert and Human Factors Testimony”

Publications

• “Comparison of Consumer Fraud Statutes Across the 50 States,” FDCC Quarterly (Spring 2005).
• “The Federal Rules and Their Application to Your Practice,” FDCC Quarterly.
• “Trial Witnesses – Selection, Care, Feeding & Understanding – Mastery of Direct Examination,” FDCC Quarterly Trial Masters.