Kevin R. Sido

Kevin Sido has been a trial lawyer and transactional counsel for design and construction professionals, condominium directors and officers, lawyers, real estate professionals, and school officials for over four decades. His practice has also included insurance coverage analysis and policy drafting, as well as broad aspects of a civil trial practice. Kevin applies his extensive experience as a trial lawyer to the counseling and transactional needs of his clients.

In addition, Kevin has a significant background in alternative dispute resolution. He is a mediator and former arbitrator for the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. He has served many years on the Panel of Construction Arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association. He serves on the panel of neutrals of ADR Systems of America, LLC.

Kevin has authored amicus curiae briefs on behalf of architect and engineer organizations, including AIA Illinois, SEAOI, ISPE, ACEC Illinois, and IPLSA in appeals concerning the economic loss doctrine, qualifications-based selection laws, construction statutes, and other matters. These include Thompson v. Gordon, 241 Ill. 2d 428, 948 N.E.2d 39 (2011) (an engineer's scope of duty is a question of law as set by contract, not a factual question for an opposing expert to opine); Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. v. Heritage Bank, Ill. Sup. Ct. 2015 IL 118955 (a plat of subdivision qualifies as an "improvement" under Mechanic's Lien Act even if subdivision is never completed).

Kevin joined Hinshaw in 1975. He served 12 years on the firm's Executive Committee and headed the litigation section for over 20 years in the Chicago office. He is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering, the Masters in Project Management Graduate Program.

After successfully completing the Arbitration Fundamentals and Best Practices for New AAA Arbitrators training program in Los Angeles in 2018, Kevin became an active member of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Panel. Kevin holds affiliate memberships with the American Institute of Architects – Illinois Council. For decades he held associate memberships in the American Society of Civil Engineers as well as the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois.

In the Fall of 2005, Kevin completed intensive training in mediation from the faculty of Pepperdine University School of Law’s top-ranked Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and is a Certified Mediator in the Cook County Court-Annexed Major Case Civil Mediation Program. In 2009 he became a member of the Mediator Panel of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana.

• American Bar Association
  • Forum on the Construction Industry
  • Section on Dispute Resolution
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys
• Chicago Committee on High Rise Buildings (Emeritus Member)
• American Arbitration Association for Construction and Commercial Matters, Panel Member

• Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Construction Law, 2016 – 2024; Litigation – Construction, 2024
• Recognized on the Super Lawyers list by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine, 2005 – 2023
• Recognized by Best Lawyers® as the Construction Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Chicago, 2022
• Recognized by his peers as a "Leading Lawyer" in the areas of: Construction Law and Real Estate Law (Association & Condominium); Construction Law and ADR Law, Commercial Real Estate, Environmental & Construction; and a "Top 10" Lawyer in the area of ADR, 2016
• Profiled in the Real Estate, Construction & Environmental Edition of Leading Lawyers Network Magazine, published in January 2008
• President's Award, American Institute of Architects – Illinois Council, 2004

Kevin frequently presents and lectures on litigation practice and construction law. He has been a lecturer and participant in professional meetings under the auspices of the American Institute of Architects, Illinois Society of Professional Engineers and American Consulting Engineers Council, as well as the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE). His recent presentations include:

• Co-Presenter, "FOIA: What Construction Lawyers Need to Know," Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys, Virtual Event, May 16, 2023
• Co-Presenter, "How SE's Can Design a Better Foundation for their Services Agreements," The Structural Engineers Association of Illinois, Virtual Event, February 2, 2021
• Co-Presenter, "Improving the Design of Structural Engineers' Subconsultant Agreements," 2020 Structural Engineering Summit, Hosted by the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations, Virtual Event, November 17, 2020
• Co-Presenter, "Let Your Contract Build the Strong Foundation," Business of Structural Engineering Seminar, Hosted by the Coalition of American Structural Engineers and the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations, Virtual Event, September 30, 2020
• Co-Presenter, "Engineering Statutes and Rules for Indiana Professional Engineers," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Webinar, May 27, 2020
• Co-Presenter, "Engineering Ethics Part 2 for Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois Engineers," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Webinar, May 20, 2020
• Co-Presenter, "Engineering Ethics Part 1 for Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois Engineers," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Webinar, May 13, 2020
• Panelist, "SE Practice Act Renewal and Revisions – What You Need to Know," Structural Engineers Association of Illinois' GAC Luncheon, Chicago, Illinois, September 20, 2019
• "Engineering Ethics: Doing the Right Thing and Knowing Why," Structural Engineers Association of Wisconsin, Delafield, Wisconsin, May 10, 2019
• Co-Presenter, "Structural Engineering Ethics: Doing the Right Thing and Knowing Why," National Council of Structural Engineers Associations Structural Engineering Summit, Chicago, Illinois, October 26, 2018
• "Engineering Ethics," 91st Annual Meeting of the Central States Water Environment Association (CSWEA), Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, May 16, 2018
• Co-Presenter, "Professional Engineering Practice Act and Rules for Indiana PE's," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, webinar, May 9, 2018
• Co-Presenter, "Ethics for Engineers: Wisconsin & Illinois," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, webinar, May 2, 2018
• Co-Presenter, "Professional Engineering Ethics: The Rules of Professional Conduct for Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois PE's," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, webinar, April 25, 2018
• Co-Presenter, "Drones: Don't be Fogged in by Cloudy Laws!," Structural Engineers Association of Illinois, Chicago, January 9, 2018
• "Ethics Rules and Practice for Illinois Structural Engineers and Professional Engineers," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers-Salt Creek Chapter, LaGrange, Illinois, November 15, 2016
• "Illinois Statutes, Standards, and Ethics Seminar," Northeast Chapter of the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association, Naperville, Illinois, October 12, 2016
• "Amicus Curiae Efforts Resulting in Two 'Friendly' Decisions for Structural Engineers," Structural Engineers Association of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, September 6, 2016
• "Ethics for Engineers: Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana," webinar, Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Springfield, Illinois, May 2016
• "Indiana Statutes and Rules for Professional Engineers," webinar, Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Springfield, Illinois, May 2016
• "Ethics for Engineers: Indiana and Illinois," webinar, Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Springfield, Illinois, April 2016
• "Ethics for Structural Engineers," Structural Engineers Association of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, February 23, 2016
• "You've Been Sued! Now What? What Engineers Need to Know to Design Their Defense," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Springfield, Illinois, October 2015
• "You've Been Sued! Now What? What Engineers Need to Know to Design Their Defense," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Lisle, Illinois, July 2015
• "Statutes and Standards: Overview of Important Legal Principles," IL Professional Land Surveyors Association, Peoria, Illinois, February 2015
• "Ethics for Surveyors: Illinois and Beyond!," IL Professional Land Surveyors Association, Peoria, Illinois, February 2015
• "Ethics for Structural Engineers in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin," Structural Engineers Association of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, July 2014
• "Ethics for Engineers Practicing in Illinois, Indiana & Wisconsin," at the 2014 Annual Convention of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers in Bloomington, Illinois, July 2014
• "Professional Engineering Practice Act and Rules for Indiana PE's," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, May 2014
• "Professional Engineering Ethics:  The Rules of Professional Conduct for Indiana PE's," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, April 2014
• "Managing the Cost of Conflict: Mediation, Arbitration or Litigation" and "You've Been Sued - Now What? What Engineers Need to Know to Structure Their Defense," National Council of Structural Engineers Associations' Winter Leadership Forum, March 2014
• "Tips for Effective Construction Administration for Engineers," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, webinar, December 2013
• "How to Make Arbitration More Meaningful and Effective," panelist, 52nd Annual Meeting of Invited Attorneys co-sponsored by Victor O. Schinnerer Co. and CNA Insurance, Austin, Texas, May 8 - 10, 2013
• "Written Engineering Contracts with Municipalities: What the Illinois Supreme Court Said," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers' First Friday Seminar, January, 2013
•  "Tips for Effective Construction Administration for Engineers," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, December, 2013
• "Complying with Illinois Rules and Regulations on the Practice of Structural Engineering" and "Meeting Standards of Professional Conduct," Legal Issues for Illinois Structural Engineers Seminar, HalfMoon Education Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, November 2012
• "Engineering Ethics," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Structural Engineering Boot Camp, Lisle, Illinois, October 2012
• "Ethics Rules and Practices for Illinois Structural Engineers," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, October 2012
• "Effective Advocacy: The Neutral's Perspective on What Is Persuasive in ADR," and "Winning at ADR: Understanding Advocacy in Arbitration & Mediation," IICLE webinar, October 2012
• "Ethics Rules and Practices for Illinois PEs," North Suburban Chapter of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers meeting, September 2012
• "The Power of 1: PEs as Independent Contractors—Legal Issues" and "Engineering Ethics—The Power of Good vs. Evil," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers Annual Convention, July 2012
• "Ethics Rules for Indiana Professional Engineers," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, live webinar, April 2012
• "Professional Engineering Laws for Indiana Professional Engineers," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, live webinar, April 2012
• "Taking Advantage of Diversity Initiatives," American Institute of Architects—Northeast Illinois Chapter, Downers Grove, Illinois, January 2012
• "Ownership Transition: Passing the Torch Without Getting Burned," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, webinar, January 2012
• "Old Timers vs. Newbies: Collaboration-Based Solutions for Ownership Transition," American Institute of Architects—Illinois Chapter's 2011 Annual Meeting, Lisle, Illinois, November 2011
• "Express Indemnity Exposures Facing Engineers in Illinois," Risk Management Committee of the American Council of Engineering Companies—Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, September 2011
• "Experiences of 35 Years of Construction Law," Chicago Committee on High Rise Buildings, Chicago, Illinois, August 2010
• "Why Construction Mediation Works," Chicago Bar Association ADR Committee, Chicago, Illinois, April 2010
• "Current Legal Issues for PEs," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Springfield, Illinois, October 2009
• "Meeting Standards of Professional Conduct," and "Complying with Illinois Rules and Regulations on the Practice of Structural Engineering," Half Moon Seminars' Legal Issues for Illinois Structural Engineers seminar, Wheaton, Illinois, April 2009
• "Current Legal Issues for Illinois Structural Engineers," Structural Engineers Association of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, March 2009
• "Current Legal Developments for Illinois Structural Engineers," Structural Engineers Association of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, March 2009
• "Current Legal Issues for Architects and Engineers," Hinshaw and Euclid Insurance Agencies Annual Risk Management Review, Hanover Park, Illinois, November 2008
• "Current Legal Topics Impacting Engineers," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Springfield, Illinois, July 2008
• "Ethical Challenges in Litigation," Lorman Education Services seminar "Legal Ethics in Illinois," Itasca, Illinois, April 2008
• "Tips for Effective Construction Administration," Half Moon Seminars' "Practicing Architecture in Illinois" seminar, Wheaton, Illinois, January 2008
• "Current Legal Issues for Architects and Engineers," Euclid Insurance and Hinshaw seminar, Oak Brook, Illinois, October 2006
• "Participating in Mediation/Arbitration," "The Architect as Witness" and "Law of Architectural Malpractice," Half Moon Seminars' Legal Issues for Illinois Architects, Wheaton, Illinois, May 2006
• "Building Defect Litigation," International Association of Defense Counsel, La Quinta, California, February 2006
• "New AIA Design Build Documents: Additional Differences of Note," Lorman Education Services' AIA Contracts seminar, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, November 2005
• "Key Provisions for the Public Owner," Lorman Education Services' AIA Contracts seminar, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, November 2005
• "Particular Provisions of Note of All AIA Documents: A Panel Discussion," Lorman Education Services' AIA Contracts seminar, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, November 2005
• "How Lawyers Approach Catastrophic Building Failures: Selected Topics on Experts," Annual Meeting of Invited Attorneys, Toronto, Ontario, May 2004
• "Drafting Pleadings," Chicago Bar Association Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, October 28, 1998
• "Improving Construction Contract Drafting," Advance Construction Loss Seminar, National Business Institute, Countryside, Illinois, April 15, 1998
• "Limitation of Liability, Practice and Problems," Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 22, 1997
• "New AIA Documents," AIA - Chicago Chapter, Professional Development Seminar, Illinois, November 21, 1997
• "Indemnification: New Life in Illinois?," Seminar for Design Professional and Euclid Insurance Agency, Illinois, November 20, 1997
• "Selected Developments in Design Build Risks and Reward," Seminar for Design Professional and Euclid Insurance Agency, Illinois, November 20, 1997
• "Broadening Professional Coverage for Lawyers, Engineers, Architects and Financial Planners," Annual Hinshaw & Culbertson Risk and Insurance Symposium, Illinois, October 30, 1997
• "Risk versus Rewards: New Trends in the Practice," AIA Illinois Council, Illinois, June 1997
• "Improving Construction Contract Drafting," Advanced Construction Loss Seminar, National Business Institute, Countryside, Illinois, April 29, 1997
• "Limiting Liability by Contract and Business Organization Choices," Consulting Engineers Council of Illinois, Illinois, January 27, 1995
• "Risk Identification and Management," AIA - Eastern Illinois Chapter, Illinois, October 5, 1994
• "Damages Recoverable Based on Tort Theories Asserted Against Architects, Engineers, Contractors and Sureties," International Association of Defense Counsel Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, July, 1994
• "Challenges to Defenses Lawyers," featured in "Burning the Midnight Oil" video, Defense Research Institute, January 1994
• "Capital Development Board Contracts with Architects," Illinois Council, American Institute of Architects," Springfield, Illinois, November 1993
• "Shifting Liability Risks to Others through Insurance, Indemnity and Limitation of Liability Clauses," AIA/Northeast Illinois, Illinois, July 1992
• "Changing Expectations of Participants in the Construction Process," National Convention of American Consulting Engineers Council, Chicago, Illinois, April 1992
• "Dealing with the Difficult Witness," IICLE, Illinois, November 1991
• "Contribution, Comparative Negligence, Joint and Several Liability," Annual Hinshaw & Culbertson Insurance Symposium, Illinois, November 1990
• "Using Non-Pattern Jury Instructions to Your Advantage," Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, Illinois, September 1990
• "Current Developments in Engineering Malpractice," American Society of Civil Engineers, Transportation and Transit Engineering Section, Villa Park, Illinois, December 1989
• "Trends in Architect-Engineer Liability and the Structural Work Act," Illinois Architect-Engineer Council, Illinois, November 1989
• "Illinois By Design," American Institute of Architects, Springfield, Illinois, November 1989
• "Illinois Structural Work Act: Techniques for Reducing Potential Liability," Illinois Council, Springfield, Illinois, November 1989
• "Trends in Architects' Malpractice Liability," Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, Chicago, Illinois, October 1989
• "Engineering Malpractice Claims," Illinois Chapter of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, Chicago, Illinois, April 1989
• "Claims Under the Illinois Structural Work Act," CNA Seminar, Illinois, January 19, 1989
• "The Defendant's Perspective on the Illinois Structural Work Act," Chicago Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois, November 1988
• "What to do When Sued," Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, North Suburban Chapter, Illinois, September 1988
• "Architects' Possible Liabilities Under RICO and Consumer Fraud Statutes," Annual Meeting of Invited Attorneys, San Francisco, California, May 1986
• "Employment Discrimination and Civil Rights," Defense Research Institute National Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, May 1986, May 1985
• "First Party Bad Faith," Conference of Casualty Insruance Companies' Claims, October 24, 1985
• "Pleading and Motion Practice," Third Party Practice IICLE, Springfield, Illinois, Chicago Illinois, October 5, 1984
• "Video Demonstration of a Party's Deposition," IICLE Annual Civil Litigation Short Course, Chicago, Illinois, March 25, 1983
• "Comparative Negligence," IICLE, Chicago, Illinois, December 3, 1982, December 10, 1982
• "Testimony of Expert Witnesses at Trial," IICLE 17th Annual Trial Evidence Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, November 11, 1982
• "How to Handle Pretrial Conferences: Civil Practice before Trial Preparation of a Products Liability Case," IICLE, Rockford, Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, June 1982, May 1982
• "Federal Civil Practice, Jurisdiction, Venue and Pretrial Pleadings," IICLE, St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, Illinois, May 1981, April 1981
• "How to Take a Deposition," IICLE, Chicago, Illinois, January 1981, October 1980, January 1980, February 1979, October 1978
• "Liability of Architects and Engineers," Defense Research Institute Seminar, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 1977
• "Divulging 'Confidential Proceedings' of the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board: Privilege or Proscription?," Illinois College of Law Seminar on Illinois Constitution, 1975

Kevin is the editor of "Architect and Engineer Liability, Claims Against Design Professionals," third edition, published by Aspen in 2006. He regularly writes for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), including authorship of chapters with revisions and supplements on pleadings, contribution and indemnity, and condominium litigation.

Kevin has also written chapters for a number of books on civil practice and construction law, including:

• "Illinois," Chapter in Design Build Deskbook Fourth Edition, American Bar Association Forum on Construction, April 2010
• "Illinois Law," Chapter in State-By-State Guide to Construction Contracts and Claims, Aspen, 2006
• "Illinois Design-Build Laws," Chapter in The Design-Build Process: A Guide to Licensing and Procurement Requirements in the 50 States and Canada, ABA Forum on Construction, Third Edition, 2004
• "Workers' Injuries," Chapter in Construction Law, Matthew Bender, 2001
• "Illinois Design-Build Laws," The Design-Build Process: A Guide to Licensing and Procurement Requirements in the 50 States and Canada, ABA Forum on Construction, 1997
• "Pleading," Chapter in IICLE's Illinois Civil Practice Before Trial, 1985 Supplement, 1987 Revision, 1989 Supplement, 1991 Revision, 1993 Supplement, 1997 Revision
• "Theories of Contribution and Indemnity," Chapter in IICLE's Illinois Civil Practice Before Trial, May 1987, 1991 Revision, 1993 Supplement, 1996 Supplement
• "Illinois," Chapter in Design-Build Survey of Laws in 50 States, ABA Forum Committee on Construction, 1996
• "Illinois Law," Chapter in Admissibility of Expert Testimony, A State-by-State Compendium, Defense Research Institute, 1996
• "Bases of Architects' and Engineers' Liability, an Overview," Co-Author, "Expert Consultants and Witnesses," Chapters in Architect and Engineer Liability, Second Edition, Wiley, 1995
• "Workers' Injuries," Chapter in Construction Law, 1990

Kevin has also published numerous articles on litigation and construction topics in AIA Illinois News, Engineering Times and Professional Engineer, as well as in other publications. He contributes to the "Management Practices" column of Consulting-Specifying Engineer and has written articles on school law and also real estate broker liability and litigation. His articles include:

• Co-Author, "Forgot to Sign on the Dotted Line?: The Law of Unsigned Contracts in Illinois," DCBA Brief, July 2013
• "Why Should Engineers Care About 'Spoliation of Evidence'?," ISPE Illinois Engineer This Week, May 2013
• "Design Better Solutions to Project Disputes," PE Magazine, December 2012
• "Mediation Can Help Lawyers, Clients Resolve Condominium Disputes," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, October 2012
• "For the Client: The Pros and Cons of Waiving Subrogation," PE Magazine, October 2012
• Co-Author, "Ownership Transition: Passing the Torch without Getting Burned," STRUCTURE magazine, July 2012
• "Resolving Condominium Disputes by Mediation: What Property Managers Need to Know," Hinshaw publication, February 2011
• "What Owners Need to Know About QBS," PE Magazine, June 2006
• "Avoiding the Courtroom Through Mediation and Arbitration," Management Practices Column, Consulting-Specifying Engineer, December 2005
• "Court Interprets FHAA 'Design and Construction' to Mean 'Design or Construction," IADC Newsletter, May 2002
• "Limited Liability Partnerships for the Practice of Architecture in Illinois," AIA Illinois News, Fall, 1994
• "Limited Liability by Contract and Business Organization Choices: Some Current Thoughts," 1994
• Co-Author, "Forms of Business Organization: A New Alternative," AIA Illinois News, Winter 1993
• Co-Author, "Mechanics Lien Law Summary," AIA Illinois News, Winter 1993
• "Update on Construction Statutes of Limitations and Repose," AIA Illinois News, Spring 1992

• "Written Contracts Eliminate Legal Problems," Consulting-Specifying Engineer, May 1991

• "The Importance of Written Contracts," Consulting-Specifying Engineer, April 1991

• "What to do if a Broker Malpractice Suit is Filed," Illinois Realtor, August/September 1989
• "How Can You Avoid Litigation?," Illinois Realtor, June/July 1989
• "Litigation Involving Students With Handicaps", with P.R. King, Trial, Volume 25, No. 8, August 1989
• Co-Author, "Monetary Remedies Under the Education For All Handicapped Children Act: Toward a New Civil Rights Act?," 23 ABA Tort & Insurance Law Journal, 711-743, 1988
• "Insurance Coverage for Civil Rights and Employment Discrimination," For the Defense, November 1984
• "Final Visit to the Omnibus Clause?," Illinois Bar Journal, May 1974

Kevin has had extensive community involvement, including:

• Serving as a little league baseball manager
• Indian Guides Chief
• Membership with the Caxton Club of Chicago
• Serving on the Board of Managers of Carl Sandburg Village Condo #3