Blaine C Kimrey

Blaine Kimrey is Chair of the firm’s Privacy, CyberSecurity & Media group.

He helps major media organizations, technology platforms, financial institutions, health care providers and companies of all types efficiently and strategically defend against consumer class actions and other complex litigation. Known for his exceptional track record, Blaine has avoided class certification or a final adverse judgment in more than 100 putative class actions nationwide, achieving dismissals or favorable resolutions under statutes such as CIPA, IRPA, BIPA, TCPA, FDCPA, CFAA and other privacy and consumer protection laws.

In addition to class action defense, Blaine represents clients in a wide range of matters involving data privacy, cybersecurity, advertising, online content, telecommunications, and digital marketing. His litigation experience also includes intellectual property, defamation, right of publicity, trade secret, insurance coverage, and environmental and toxic tort disputes. He regularly advises companies on data breach response, media liability, and content-related regulatory issues, and provides prepublication and prebroadcast review to help clients reduce exposure while maintaining creative freedom and business agility.

A former journalist for two daily newspapers, Blaine brings sharp investigative instincts, clear communication, and strategic focus to his practice. He is known for identifying risks early, resolving disputes quietly and cost-effectively, and keeping business priorities at the forefront. He frequently conducts internal investigations and works with agencies including the FBI, FTC, FCC, and various state attorneys general, offering pragmatic guidance grounded in both legal and operational realities.

Blaine also is deeply committed to professional development and public service. He recently led Vedder’s Privacy, Media & Cybersecurity group in a comprehensive update to the Actual Malice Practice Guide, published by the Media Law Resource Center—the first update to the guide in nearly two decades. In addition, he has served on the Chicago Bar Foundation Board of Directors and received the Award for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)

Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States and European Union (CIPP/US & CIPP/E)

Member, International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)

Chair, Teleseminar Committee, ABA Forum on Communications Law, 2012-2016

Chair, ABA TIPS Media, Privacy and Defamation Law Committee, 2009–2010

Co-Chair, KCMBA Media Law Committee, 2009–2011

Member, Chicago Bar Foundation Abraham Lincoln Circle of Justice

Member, Chicago Bar Foundation Nominating and Governance Committee, 2008–2016

Member, Board of Directors, Chicago Bar Foundation, 2010–2016

Member, Illinois Bar Association

Soccer Coach, Evanston AYSO, 2007–2016

Chair, Missouri Bar Media Law Committee, 2000–2003