Scott J. Kater

Scott J. Kater is an established trial attorney with nearly a decade of experience handling complex, high-exposure litigation. As a partner at Clifford Law Offices, he focuses his practice on medical malpractice and professional negligence cases while also representing individuals and families in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, aviation, product liability, and complex negligence litigation. His experience handling significant claims involving medical providers, hospitals, corporations, manufacturers, and other institutions informs his approach to investigating liability, developing case strategy, and preparing cases for trial.

Mr. Kater represents patients and families in complex medical malpractice cases involving physicians, hospitals, medical groups, and healthcare institutions. His work includes matters involving serious injuries and deaths arising from alleged failures in medical care and other forms of professional negligence. He handles these cases from initial investigation through discovery, depositions, complex motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial.

In addition to his medical malpractice practice, Mr. Kater is a member of the firm’s aviation practice group representing families in litigation arising from the January 2025 midair collision near Washington, D.C. He works closely with clients and plays an active role in case strategy, discovery, and depositions in the complex claims stemming from the crash.

He is also part of the Clifford Law Offices team investigating the November 2025 crash of UPS Flight 2976 in Louisville, Kentucky. His work includes helping develop the factual record and evaluating potential liability as the firm represents families who lost loved ones and individuals who were injured in the crash and on the ground.

Mr. Kater also handles catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving serious motor vehicle collisions, electrocution injuries, product liability, and other complex negligence claims. His experience spans all phases of litigation, including pre-suit investigation, discovery, depositions, complex motion practice, trial, and appeal.

Before joining Clifford Law Offices, Mr. Kater represented hospitals, medical providers, manufacturers, and multinational corporations in matters involving catastrophic injury and allegations of professional negligence. His experience preparing corporate representatives for testimony, conducting and defending depositions, evaluating significant claims, and developing defense strategy provides firsthand insight into how corporations and institutions approach high-stakes litigation. He now applies that experience when representing plaintiffs in medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and other complex cases.

Mr. Kater has extensive courtroom experience in both state and federal courts. He has served as second chair in multiple jury trials and as lead counsel in complex motion practice and discovery proceedings. His work includes preparing licensed professionals and corporate representatives for testimony, conducting and defending depositions, and arguing dispositive and evidentiary motions. He has also briefed and argued matters before the Illinois Appellate Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Mr. Kater was selected for the 2027 Illinois Super Lawyers® list after previously being recognized as a Rising Star. He has also been listed by The Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch, Leading Lawyers as an Emerging Lawyer, and The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40. He earned multiple CALI Awards for Academic Excellence while attending Loyola University Chicago School of Law and achieved national recognition through moot court competition. He remains active in the legal community and serves as a moot court team coach through the Chicago Bar Association.

Outside of his practice, Mr. Kater values time with his family as a father of three and enjoys sports, travel, fitness, and cooking.