Katharine Marie Jilka

Kate Jilka Bree is an Associate at the St. Louis office of Hawkins Parnell Thackston & Young LLP.  Kate has approximately five years of experience representing a Class I railroad, in addition to various product manufacturers, in defense of mass tort litigation, including toxic tort, products liability, and FELA cases.  She also previously represented clients in litigation involving other personal injury, medical malpractice, automobile negligence, and premises liability matters involving acute injuries.  She has had an active role in all phases of litigation, including investigating and evaluating cases, drafting written discovery and discovery motions, conducting depositions of plaintiffs and fact witnesses, representing clients at motion hearings, preparing expert deposition outlines, consulting with experts, and preparing motions and briefs for trial and appellate matters.  Kate has developed expertise in briefing issues related to claims under the FELA, Locomotive Inspection Act, and Safety Appliance Act.  In addition, Kate is a member of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel and the Defense Research Institute and recently attended the six-day Trial College hosted by the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel.