Robert Clifford Attorney: What Makes a Top-Rated Personal Injury Lawyer

Robert Clifford attorney has secured some of the most significant personal injury settlements in American legal history, including a staggering $100 million for victims of faulty construction and a $75 million settlement for those injured in the John Hancock Building scaffolding collapse. Widely regarded as a global leader in aviation litigation, he has represented families in every domestic commercial airline crash since 1979. Furthermore, he has been involved in cases stemming from major historic events, obtaining a $1.2 billion settlement for businesses affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Clifford Law Offices Chicago stands as the city’s premier personal injury law firm, recognized internationally for its exceptional talent and decades of experience. The firm specializes in personal injury, medical malpractice, mass torts, consumer fraud, product liability, and transportation disasters. Currently, Clifford law firm represents nearly 70 of the 157 people who were on board the Boeing 737-MAX plane that crashed in Ethiopia. This article explores what makes Robert Clifford such a distinguished figure in personal injury law and how his approach has earned him recognition as an authority in aviation litigation.

The early path that shaped Robert Clifford

The foundation of Robert Clifford’s distinguished legal career began in the blue-collar neighborhood of Mudville on Chicago’s Far South Side. Born around 1950, Clifford grew up at 121st and Laflin in an area he described as “filled with cops, firemen and small-time politicians”. As the son of a carpenter and the first in his family to graduate from college and law school, Clifford’s path to success was paved with determination and hard work.

Growing up in Chicago and early work ethic

From an early age, Clifford demonstrated exceptional verbal abilities—so much so that adults in his neighborhood would give him quarters just to stop talking. At just 13 years old, he began stacking wood for $2.00 an hour at Mathew Lumber and Home Center to help pay for his tuition at Marist High School. This early employment continued throughout his college years, helping finance his education.

The lumberyard’s owner, Mark Curtis, recognized Clifford’s potential and enrolled him in Dale Carnegie training when he was 16. This experience proved invaluable, with Clifford later acknowledging, “Being a trial lawyer is analogous to being a salesman… there’s real salesmanship involved”.

Discovering tort law at DePaul University

After graduating from Marist in 1969, Clifford attended DePaul University, earning his undergraduate degree in 1973 followed by a J.D. from DePaul College of Law in 1976. During this time, he met his future wife, Joan Makowski, who was studying elementary education.

Mentorship under Phil Corboy

A pivotal moment in Clifford’s career occurred when renowned trial attorney Phil Corboy addressed his tort law class at DePaul. Despite classmates warning that securing a position with Corboy was impossible, Clifford boldly took action. The day after Corboy’s lecture, he followed him back to his office, called the receptionist from a pay phone claiming to have “one more question,” and then asked Corboy directly: “How does one get a job working for you?”

Impressed by Clifford’s audacity, Corboy hired him as a clerk within a week. Clifford’s legal education continued under Corboy’s mentorship, learning through what Corboy called “osmosis”. Even routine walks to and from the Daley Center became valuable lessons as Clifford absorbed Corboy’s strategies for jury selection and cross-examination.

After working with Corboy until 1984, Clifford established his own practice, continuing “the fine traditions he started in this complex area of law”.

Building Clifford Law Offices into a national name

In 1984, after gaining invaluable experience under Phil Corboy, Robert Clifford made a bold move to establish his own practice—a decision that would eventually reshape the personal injury law landscape. “It was the best move I ever made,” Clifford reflected about founding his firm.

Founding the firm in 1984

Clifford Law Offices started with a clear vision: dedicated service to clients in Chicago and beyond. From its inception, the firm has built a reputation for expertly handling complicated national and international claims. What began as a modest practice has expanded to 25 lawyers, with Clifford attributing this growth to “surrounding myself with intelligent, hard-working people”. Moreover, the firm has evolved into a nationally recognized leader in complex litigation, routinely ranked among Chicago’s top law firms and included on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Law Firms.

Focus on aviation, medical malpractice, and mass torts

The firm’s scope of practice encompasses several specialized areas. Notably, Clifford Law Offices has represented victims and their families in nearly every major commercial airline crash in the U.S. in the last 40 years. Their aviation litigation work has earned them a distinguished reputation for managing complex cases arising from commercial and private air disasters.

Additionally, the firm has handled extensive medical malpractice claims, recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for catastrophically injured patients. Their elite team of medical malpractice attorneys has achieved impressive results, including a record $101 million verdict for a baby who sustained brain damage at birth.

In the realm of mass torts, Robert Clifford attorney has served as lead negotiator in significant cases, such as the $1.2 billion settlement of property damage claims following the 9/11 attacks.

Commitment to client relationships and justice

At its core, Clifford law firm maintains an unwavering commitment to client care. “We always tell our clients to try to get themselves better while we will worry about the legal part of your tragedy,” Clifford explains. This client-centered approach has helped the firm recover more than $5 billion in judgments and settlements.

The Clifford Law Offices Chicago team prides itself on tackling serious cases and seeing them through to the end. As Clifford himself states, “We approach every case as if we are going to the very end”.

What makes Robert Clifford a top-rated personal injury lawyer

Throughout his four-decade career, Robert Clifford has distinguished himself among America’s elite personal injury attorneys, earning recognition as the #1 lawyer in Illinois by Super Lawyers for a record 12 years. His exceptional approach to complex litigation has established him as a formidable advocate for those suffering catastrophic injuries.

Handling high-profile and complex cases

Robert Clifford attorney has represented families in every major commercial airline crash in the United States since 1979. As Lead Counsel in the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX-8 federal litigation, he represents families from 35 different countries. His case portfolio includes securing a USD 35 million verdict for an internationally acclaimed violinist, a USD 25.90 million verdict for a lawyer injured in a taxi crash, and a USD 19.30 million settlement in a fatal truck crash.

Empathy and communication with clients

At Clifford law offices Chicago, client relationships extend beyond legal representation. “Families want two things: accountability and legacy. They don’t want their loved one to have perished in vain,” Clifford explains. Clients consistently praise the firm’s responsiveness, noting how attorneys “keep them informed” throughout difficult legal journeys.

Relentless pursuit of accountability

Clifford’s litigation work has repeatedly improved public safety standards. After the United Airlines Flight 232 crash, his efforts led to FAA Airworthiness Directives mandating inspections on engine fan blades. According to Clifford, “Without litigation, there’s no penalty” for corporate negligence.

Use of cutting-edge legal technology

Although he emphasizes personal relationships, Clifford recognizes technology’s role in modern litigation. He has authored articles discussing AI applications in legal scenarios while noting that discovery has become more complex with electronic documentation requiring sophisticated review techniques.

Mentoring the next generation of lawyers

Clifford remains committed to raising the quality of legal practice through professional development. He sponsors annual ethics programs that attract nearly 5,000 registrants and has funded education for Cristo Rey High School students, many of whom have gone on to college and careers at his firm.

Beyond the courtroom: Clifford’s impact on law and society

Beyond his courtroom victories, Robert Clifford’s influence extends throughout the legal profession and wider society. His unwavering dedication to justice has shaped both the practice and teaching of law across multiple generations.

Influencing tort law and public policy

Robert Clifford attorney has served on numerous committees that helped reshape legal practice. He chaired the American Bar Association Section of Litigation and the ABA Task Force on Terrorism and the Law. His expertise led to his appointment to the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Professional Responsibility, where he helped establish ethical guidelines for attorneys statewide.

Philanthropy and public service

Outside his legal practice, Clifford demonstrates remarkable generosity. Through the Clifford Law Offices Chicago, he has funded scholarships for underprivileged students pursuing legal careers. His commitment to civic responsibility manifests through serving on the boards of WTTW public television and the Naples Children & Education Foundation, which has raised over $191 million for children’s services.

Creating the Clifford Symposium and Scholar-in-Residence programs

Perhaps Clifford’s most enduring legacy lies in education. In 1994, he established the Clifford Symposium on Tort Law and Social Policy at DePaul University College of Law, which convenes annually to address pressing legal issues. Consequently, the Clifford Scholar-in-Residence program brings distinguished legal scholars to interact with students, thereby enriching legal education. These initiatives reflect his belief that legal education must extend beyond textbooks to include real-world perspectives that prepare future attorneys for meaningful careers.

Conclusion

Robert Clifford stands as a towering figure in personal injury law, transforming his humble beginnings in Chicago’s Mudville neighborhood into an extraordinary legal career. Four decades after founding Clifford Law Offices, his $5 billion in recovered settlements and judgments speak volumes about his exceptional capabilities. Additionally, his record of representing victims in every major commercial airline crash since 1979 showcases unparalleled expertise in aviation litigation.

The remarkable journey from stacking lumber as a teenager to becoming Illinois’ #1-rated lawyer for 12 consecutive years demonstrates how determination paired with expertise yields exceptional results. Accordingly, Clifford’s approach combines rigorous legal strategy with genuine empathy for clients facing life-altering circumstances.

Beyond courtroom victories, Clifford has shaped tort law through leadership roles in professional organizations and created lasting educational legacies through the Clifford Symposium and Scholar-in-Residence programs. His philanthropy extends his impact far beyond legal circles, benefiting underprivileged students and children’s services nationwide.

Robert Clifford attorney represents the gold standard in personal injury representation – someone who fights relentlessly for accountability while nurturing the next generation of legal professionals. His career serves as powerful testimony that exceptional legal advocacy can drive meaningful change, create safer standards, and deliver justice for those who need it most.