Robert Shultz
- Partner
Barney heads the firm's toxic tort and class action practices. He practiced in the firm's Peoria, Illinois office for nine years until he opened its Edwardsville office in 1987. His practice currently focuses upon the defense of toxic tort, product liability, pharmaceutical/medical device and class action claims. He has tried asbestos and products liability lawsuits throughout the State of Illinois, including Cook County, and he has served as trial counsel for clients in California and West Virginia.
He has the somewhat rare experience of trying a class action case to verdict. Barney served as lead trial counsel for State Farm in the Avery v. State Farm replacement parts class action, a case in which the class consisted of 4.25 million policyholders. The Illinois Supreme Court opinion in that case has had a significant impact limiting class action practice in Illinois, both with respect to class certification requirements and in the territorial application of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act. That case has been the subject of professional articles in numerous publications including The National Law Journal and The American Lawyer.
In his role of as head of the firm's toxic tort and class action practices he has formed and directed many joint defense efforts, inside and outside the firm, including the coordination of multiple defense counsel and computer-assisted litigation management.
Barney is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Trial Advocates, and has been selected for Best Lawyers in America.
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Significant Cases
- Hicks v. Airborne Express 367 Ill. App. 3d 1005, 858 N.E.2d 48 (5th Dist. 2006) Putative class action case against overnight delivery company involving pricing, insurance, misrepresentations/omissions which resulted in dismissal in the trial court, affirmed on appeal.
- Burton v. Airborne Express 367 Ill. App. 3d 1026, 857 N.E.2d 707 (5th Dist. 2006) Putative class action case against overnight delivery company involving pricing, insurance, misrepresentations/omissions which resulted in dismissal in the trial court, affirmed on appeal.
- Moody v. Federal Express 368 Ill. App. 3d 838, 858 N.E.2d 918 (5th Dist. 2006) Putative class action case against overnight delivery company involving pricing, insurance, misrepresentations/omissions which resulted in dismissal in the trial court, affirmed on appeal.
- Avery v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. 216 Ill. 2d 100, 835 N.E.2d 801 (2005) Replacement parts class action tried to verdict. Served as lead trial counsel and co-counsel, on appeal.
- Gridley v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. 217 Ill. 2d 158, 840 N.E.2d 269 (2005) Application of forum non conveniens principles to consumer class action which ultimately resulted dismissal of Illinois (Madison County) class action in favor of State of Louisiana.
Public Speaking
- “e-Discovery”
GROWMARK 2009
- “State Consumer Fraud Statutes and Class Actions”
Manhattan Institute
- “Asbestos and Class Action Presentations”
Defense Research Institute
- “Class Actions and Consumer Fraud”
Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association
- “Jury Selection”
Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel
- “Class Action Fairness Act/ Class Actions”
Peoria County, IL Bar Association
Professional Recognition
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated
- American College of Trial Lawyers
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Guide to World's Leading Product Liability Lawyers
- Best Lawyers in America
- Best Lawyers in St. Louis
- Selected as a Leading Lawyer in Illinois. Only five percent of lawyers in the state are named as Leading Lawyers.
- Named to the Illinois Super Lawyers list (2009-2010). The Super Lawyers selection process is based on peer recognition and professional achievement. Only five percent of the lawyers in each state earn this designation.
Professional Associations
- Madison County Bar Association
- St. Clair County Bar Association
- Metropolitan St. Louis
- Illinois State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Court Admissions
- State Courts of Illinois
- United States District Court, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois and Eastern District of Missouri
- United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Education
- Juris Doctor, University of Illinois, 1978
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of Illinois, 1975
Community Involvement
- Two term member of church's Executive Board
- Peoria Chamber of Commerce Leadership School
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