Robert Clifford is the founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, Chicago’s premier personal injury law firm, recognized worldwide for its extensive talent, successful track record, and four decades of experience in handling complex personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Viewed as a leader in consumer advocacy, Mr. Clifford has dedicated his career to righting the heaviest wrongs by representing thousands of clients in claims against large corporations, hospitals, and government entities that have acted negligently, resulting in catastrophic injuries.
Mr. Clifford is widely recognized as a global leader in aviation litigation, having represented victims and their families in nearly every major commercial U.S. airline crash since 1979. His involvement in the litigation of cases stemming from major historical events, including the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York, demonstrates his international reputation. Mr. Clifford currently serves as Lead Counsel in the ongoing litigation in Chicago federal court for families of the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX-8 crash victims, which resulted in 157 deaths across 35 countries. He currently represents several families impacted by the January 2025 midair collision involving an American Airlines aircraft and a U.S. military helicopter over the Potomac River.
Under Mr. Clifford’s leadership, Clifford Law Offices has been routinely ranked as one of the top law firms in Chicago and included on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Law Firms. Since 1984, the firm has made an immeasurable impact on the lives of individual clients and their families, recovering over $5 billion in judgments and settlements.
The recipient of numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, Mr. Clifford’s many achievements reflect the care and dedication he brings to his work and the culture of excellence he has established within his firm. In 2025, Mr. Clifford was named to Forbes’ Americas Best-In-State Lawyers list, and from 2023 to 2025, he was ranked the #1 lawyer in Illinois by Super Lawyers. Mr. Clifford was named to Forbes’ inaugural 2024 America’s Top 200 Lawyers list as the only attorney listed in Illinois. In May 2024, he received the inaugural "Robert A. Clifford Champion of Justice Award," presented by the Chicago Bar Association at its 150th anniversary celebration. Also in 2024, he was selected to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award by The National Law Journal. In 2020, The National Law Journal recognized Clifford Law Offices as one of the 50 Elite Law Firms in the nation - the only firm in Chicago to receive this honor.
The foundation of Mr. Clifford’s success lies not only in his deep dedication to clients but also in the culture of ongoing learning he has cultivated within his firm and the legal community. For nearly 20 years, Clifford Law Offices has sponsored an annual Continuing Legal Education Program to encourage innovative thinking in the legal profession and to give the next generation of lawyers and litigators opportunities for relevant education and current experience. Additionally, Mr. Clifford has sponsored the DePaul University College of Law Annual Clifford Symposium on Tort Law and Social Policy for three decades. The symposium brings together global leaders and academics on various tort law issues affecting consumers, providing accessible continuing legal education to practicing attorneys, law students, and other legal professionals.
Mr. Clifford has made significant contributions to national and local bar associations, holding numerous influential leadership positions throughout his career, including President of the Chicago Bar Association, President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and President of the Chicago Inn of Court, among other notable roles. He has been inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, the International Society of Barristers, and the highly selective Inner Circle of Advocates.
Mr. Clifford holds strong personal and professional values in law, ethics, philanthropy, and public service, exemplifying civic responsibility, outreach, and philanthropic efforts through his continued support of local communities, numerous educational and cultural organizations, as well as the charitable and educational arms of medical and legal associations.
