Kristofer S. Riddle has been named a partner at Clifford Law Offices. During his last 10 years as an associate at the firm, Mr. Riddle has handled a wide range of litigation and is consistently a determined advocate for his clients. Most recently, Kris has focused on transportation liability and consumer class action matters. He is lead partner at the firm on an Amtrak derailment that occurred in 2021 in Montana, killing three and injuring dozens of others aboard the Empire Builder that was traveling from Chicago to Seattle, Washington. Clifford Law Offices represents more than 30 passengers in that tragic derailment. He brings a wealth of experience to Clifford Law Offices, as demonstrated in a $16.75 million verdict received on behalf of three clients who were severely injured in a high-profile Amtrak train derailment in DuPont, Washington. He went on to successfully settle additional cases related to the derailment for over $56 million.
Riddle worked round-the-clock for years on Hale v. State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co., a complex class action case against State Farm Insurance that settled for $250 million on the first day of trial. Riddle and the Hale team took on the insurance giant, on behalf of policyholders, alleging that State Farm conspired to secretly support the election of an Illinois State Supreme Court Justice who voted to overturn a $1 billion judgment pending against State Farm. For this monumental settlement, Kris and his teammates were recognized for their excellence with the Trial Lawyer of the Year Award in 2019 by Public Justice. Their result was also recognized as the highest settlement or verdict in the state of Illinois in 2019 by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company that gave him a Trial Lawyer Excellence Award. Riddle also was recognized in 2018 by the National Trial Lawyers where he received Trial Team of the Year: Class Action Award. In 2017 he received Chicago Lawyer’s Top 40 Lawyers in Illinois Under 40 Award.
Riddle grew up on Chicago’s south side and attended Mt. Carmel High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The City College of New York City-CUNY. Riddle received his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law. He is married to his wife, Elizabeth, who is also an attorney, and the two live in Chicago with their two sons.
For further information, please contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).