Attorney Robert C. Hilliard has been practicing law in Texas for 40 years, gaining national recognition for his work on some of the country’s most high-profile cases. Mr. Hilliard received his certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law in 1990 and Civil Trial Law in 1992. He was awarded the 2021 Corpus Christi Bar Association’s Lawyer of the Year Award, and, in 2024, was named a Super Lawyer for the 22nd time. In 2024, Hilliard was recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2024 "Lawyer of the Year" for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in the Corpus Christi Area. His firm represents clients in mass tort litigation, social justice cases, personal injury, product liability, commercial and business litigation, and wrongful death matters.
Born and raised in Newton, Texas, Mr. Hilliard was the youngest of three children. His father, Delmar Shelley Hilliard, was an Air Force A-1 Skyraider fighter pilot who flew 175 missions in Vietnam before serving as Newton County Attorney for 25 years. His mother, Bobbye Clifton Hilliard, was an artist, newspaper reporter, homemaker, and office manager for her husband’s law office.
Mr. Hilliard attended St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, on a tennis scholarship, graduating summa cum laude in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in English literature. A four-year letterman in tennis, he earned numerous accolades, including Athlete of the Year (1979-1980), and was later inducted into the St. Edward’s Athletics Hall of Fame.
He attended St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, where he served as associate editor of the St. Mary’s Law Journal. After earning his Juris Doctor (JD) degree in 1983, Mr. Hilliard began his legal career at the Law Offices of Guy Allison in Corpus Christi. In 1985, he established The Law Offices of Robert C. Hilliard. Jacobo Muñoz joined the firm as a partner shortly thereafter, and it became Hilliard & Muñoz. In 2010, with the addition of Rudy Gonzales, the firm evolved into Hilliard Muñoz Gonzales, LLP. While it continued to be based in Corpus Christi, the firm expanded its practice nationally.
In 2017, following the retirement of founding partner Jacobo Muñoz, the firm underwent another transition, becoming Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP, with the Honorable John B. Martinez joining as managing partner.
In 2023, the firm rebranded as Hilliard Law, reflecting both its legacy and its future. This change represents more than just a name—it reaffirms a deep-rooted commitment to family, community, and the relentless pursuit of justice. For four decades, Hilliard Law has stood as a pillar of advocacy, championing the rights of individuals and families in need. The firm’s dedication to making a meaningful impact extends beyond the courtroom, fostering strong community connections and ensuring that justice is accessible to all.
Mr. Hilliard is also a named partner in a separate law firm, Hilliard & Shadowen. In 2012, Mr. Hilliard and his lifelong best friend, college roommate, and tennis teammate, Steve Shadowen, fulfilled a “change-the-world” dream that began in their dorm room at St. Edward’s University in the 1970s when they would talk through the night, imagining a law firm—their law firm—focused on civil rights litigation and social justice. That vision became reality with the creation of Hilliard & Shadowen LLP in Austin, Texas. Today, it is one of the nation’s premier boutique firms specializing in antitrust and social justice litigation. Their shared dream culminated in Bob and Steve sitting side by side at the counsel table before the United States Supreme Court, arguing one of the country’s most significant social justice cases.
Admissions & Education
Admissions:
Supreme Court of Texas
Federal Courts:
U.S. Supreme Court
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Education:
Juris Doctor, With Honors & Associate Editor of Law Review
B.A., English Literature, Summa Cum Laude
Accolades & Professional Associations
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Professional Associations:
Presentations
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