Robert Bennett
Dedicated. Accessible. Responsive. Rob is ready to listen and tackle problems head-on.
- Firm Partner
- Served as a Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Michael McCuskey, Justice of the Appellate Court of Illinois
Robert Bennett
Attorney in Peoria, IL
When Heyl Royster Partner Rob Bennett's father, a voracious reader, shared an old Reader's Digest with him called "You and the Law," Rob devoured it. In high school, he decided to pursue a legal career. He obtained his B.S. in Political Science from Illinois State University, enjoying the frequent intersection of legal issues, and followed up with his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. After graduation, Rob served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Michael McCuskey, Justice of the Appellate Court of Illinois. He then spent five years in a defense litigation practice.
Rob joined Heyl Royster in 2001 and has served as a Professional Liability Practice Group member. Much of Rob's litigation experience includes defending medical and hospital cases, having defended over 200 such cases. In recent years, Rob has focused on the defense of catastrophic accidents (involving significant medical issues, serious personal injuries, or death) and insurance coverage issues. He has written and lectured on construction litigation at Heyl Royster's Claims Handling Seminars and legal malpractice issues for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Rob actively selects defense experts, handles party and expert depositions, prepares trial strategies, and guides cases through all phases of the discovery process. Rob approaches each client's request, each legal issue, and each question with an eye to getting to the truth; as they say, the devil is in the details. That means looking for the fine points to make sense of what lies ahead to achieve the best possible results for our clients.
An amateur actor and singer from a young age, Rob considered becoming a professional vocalist. Still enjoying the hobby, he continues to perform with local choirs and singing groups in the community. On weekends, he enjoys taking road trips and enjoying local destinations throughout the Midwest.
Credentials
Education
J.D., University of Illinois College of Law
B.S., Illinois State University, Political Science
Licensure(s) and Admission(s)
State Courts of Illinois
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
Professional Affiliations
Abraham Lincoln Court
Illinois Defense Counsel
Illinois State Bar Association
Peoria County Bar Association
Results
- Handled discovery on medical disciplines and mediating three cases involving birth trauma to children, including placental pathology, pediatric neuroradiology, pediatric pulmonology, rehabilitation medicine, obstetrics, and neonatology.
- Mary L. Ubaudi v. William G. Humphrey, Rowe Construction Co., Division of R.A. Cullinan & Son, Inc., and Mazda Motor of America, Inc. – Discovery and mediation involving severe post-motor vehicle accident injuries including a fractured pelvis, bilateral fractured humeri, lung contusions and infection with coma, settled for the owing lengthy discovery.
- Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity v. Sound and Signal Electronics, William Murphy, individually and d/b/a Sound and Signal Electronics, SecurityLink, Inc. and SecurityLink, Inc., f/k/a SecurityLink from Ameritech f/k/a Ameritech Monitoring Services, Inc., and ADT Security Services Inc., and TYCO International (US) Inc. – Mediation of significant property damage claim involving destruction of fraternity house due to fire; represented fire alarm monitoring company at mediation and resolved case following lengthy five month process of discovery and mediation/settlement discussions.
- Yacko v. Curtis, 339 Ill. App. 3d 299, 789 N.E.2d 1274 (4th Dist. 2003) – Upholding insurer's cancellation of automobile insurance policy for nonpayment.
- Bush v. Catholic Diocese of Peoria, 351 Ill. App. 3d 588, 814 N.E.2d 135 (3d Dist. 2004) – Appellate Court affirmed trial court's determination that Diocese's proposed protective order was appropriate. The protective order barred the plaintiff from disseminating information disclosed in discovery; Appellate Court held that parties have no First Amendment free speech right to divulge information disclosed in discovery to others.
- State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. v. Board of Governors of State Colleges & Universities, 50 Ill. Ct. Cl. 304 (1997) – Granting summary judgment to insurer to reimburse costs and fees incurred in defending parties' insured against a libel claim.
- Barrick v. Grimes, 308 Ill. App. 3d 306, 720 N.E.2d 280 (4th Dist. 1999) – Affirming jury verdict for truck driver in vehicular collision lawsuit.
Presentations/Publications
Presentations
“Construction Litigation Update,” Heyl Royster (2008)
“Medical Records,” Lorman Seminars (2006)
Publications
"Defenses to Product Liability" chapter in Illinois Product Liability Practice, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education in each handbook since 1980 (2009)
"Attorney Liability to Non-Clients" chapter in Attorney's Legal Liability, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2007)
Awards/Recognition
- Leading Lawyer by Law Bulletin Media℠ – Medical Malpractice Defense Law, Professional Malpractice Defense: Inc. Legal/Technical/Financial
