Kevin is a trial attorney representing clients across multiple industries dealing with commercial, real estate and products liability litigation. Additionally, he defends criminal matters and represents clients under investigation by U.S. Attorneys General. He also works with a broad range of U.S. and non-U.S. clients to help them navigate complex export control matters concerning the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of State’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Kevin is currently in the Marine Corps Reserves, most recently serving as a Marine Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer with FEMA. He has been in the Marine Corps since 1991, first as an enlisted Marine with 8th Tank Battalion and then as an officer, both active and reserve, including as the commanding officer of a reserve infantry unit activated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
I focus on a wide variety of commercial disputes including contracts, real estate, intellectual property, insurance and business torts. I have experience in all phases of litigation, from trial to verdict, as well as alternate dispute resolution. I leverage my extensive motion and trial experience in state and federal courts, both at Nixon Peabody and as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Marine Corps.
I focus on and have significant experience defending product liability litigation for pharmaceutical companies, consumer goods manufacturers and premises defendants in exposure cases alleging negligence, product and design defects and failure to warn. I have represented these clients in jurisdictions throughout the United States.
I advise clients on their internal compliance processes through the use of compliance manuals and classification charts and checklists. I work with clients to develop ITAR compliance strategies and advise them on the necessary processes required of businesses, including registration, licensing and disclosures. My regulatory experience involves analyzing and interpreting the ITAR, the EAR and the U.S. sanctions laws administered by OFAC and helping clients understand new developments.
With technology developing faster and faster, businesses face new and costly challenges at the earliest stages of and throughout litigation. Knowledge of this technology combined with an effective case strategy offers the most effective and efficient solution to assist clients in navigating a case through its life cycle and achieving a successful outcome.
The Daily Record | March 31, 2019
Rochester Complex Commercial Disputes counsel Kevin Saunders discusses his pro bono work on prisoners’ rights cases in this article, which also highlights Nixon Peabody’s strong firmwide stats for pro bono service in 2018.
Democrat and Chronicle | March 27, 2018
Rochester commercial litigation counsel Kevin Saunders, who is the representing the neighborhood advocacy group Clover/Allens Creek Neighborhood Association, is quoted in this article is about a recent town board meeting in Brighton, New York, regarding the contentious issue of a Whole Foods project, which is considered one of the area’s largest development projects in decades.
University of Rochester, Simon School of Business, M.B.A.
Syracuse University College of Law, J.D.
St. John Fisher College, B.A., cum laude
New York
New Jersey
Kevin was selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 in the fields of Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation—Defendants. Kevin has been listed in Best Lawyers since 2019. Additionally, he was named the Best Lawyers® 2021 Product Liability Litigation—Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” in Rochester, NY.
He was awarded the 2014 New York State Bar Association’s President’s Service Pro Bono Award for the 7th Judicial District for his work on behalf of veterans, including co-founding One Team, One Fight, which addresses veterans’ employment, education, medical, psychological, housing and legal needs.
Kevin is also a recipient of the 2011 Pro Bono Award, presented by the United States District Court for the Western District of New York State. The award recognizes “distinguished work representing indigent civil litigants, often in civil rights cases,” along with “extraordinary commitment, dedication, skill and professionalism in ensuring equal access to justice for all,” according to Chief Judge William M. Skretny.
Kevin Saunders currently serves on the Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY) board and the Simon School Executive MBA Program Alumni Advisory board. He is a member of the New York State and Monroe County Bar Associations (and chair of the latter’s Veterans Committee).
