Robert Pisani
Partner
rpisani@mckenna-law.com
Robert Pisani has spent his entire professional career with McKenna Storer. Bob has established his reputation within the firm as the “go to” guy with all the latest developments in the Courts, and he has distinguished himself as the attorney for toxic tort clients who can manage complexities and achieve a good result. His knowledge of the law and advocacy skills that he has as a defense and toxic tort litigator have made him a valued part of the toxic tort team at McKenna, and has enabled him to successfully litigate in other areas of McKenna’s practice.
Biography
Bob came to McKenna straight from law school and after two years as a law clerk to a Cook County Circuit Court Law Division judge. He has devoted his career to toxic tort litigation defense, insurance defense and business litigation. He represents some of the largest corporations in the country. He has represented silica companies for over 25 years and also has brought Kohl’s Department Stores into the McKenna stable of clients, handling its Illinois litigation issues. He also serves as an arbitrator in Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist claims.
He is a former co-chairman of the product liability committee of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel who also finds time to serve as a lecturer on topics such as toxic torts, tort reform, expert evidence, negotiations and civil procedure. His dedication to his profession and to serving the interests of the people and organizations his represents is recognized throughout the legal community and has allowed him to rise with the firm to the position of partner.
Bob is a faithful Chicago Cubs and Wisconsin Badgers fan. In his spare time, he can be found riding his bike along the lakefront. He is dedicated to his family and is proud of the fact that both of his children chose to attend the University of Wisconsin.
Memberships
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute: Toxic Tort and Environmental Law and Industrywide Litigation Committees
- Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel: Co-chair Products Liability Committee
- Cook County Mandatory Arbitration Program
Education
- University of Wisconsin, B.A., 1983
- DePaul University, J.D., 1986
Admissions
- State of Illinois
- USDC – Northern District of Illinois
- USDC – Central District of Illinois
- USDC – Southern District of Wisconsin
- USDC – Northern District of Indiana
Matters
Product Liability (Silica) — Toxic Tort and Mass Tort Litigation
Acts as coordinating counsel and substantive defense counsel for major mineral producer with responsibility for all phases of litigation nationwide in state and federal courts, including coordination of overall defense strategy, expert and non-expert related discovery, preparation and production of corporate/company witnesses, management of local counsel and trial.
Product Liability (Asbestos) — Toxic Tort and Mass Tort Litigation
Representation of various entities in services based and product liability related asbestos litigation pending throughout Illinois in both state and federal courts, including pumps, valve, boiler, and HVAC related equipment, as well as insulation contractors.
Product Liability (Various Chemicals) — Toxic Tort and Mass Tort Litigation
Representation of a chemical distributer in a multi-plaintiff case obtaining dismissal after discovery, and obtaining award of sanctions due to frivolous nature of the litigation.
Toxic Tort (Cellphones)
Successfully defended major cellphone company in litigation in which claimants alleged that cellphone use caused cancer. Claims were dismissed after an evidentiary hearing.
Civil Rights – Representation of Municipality — Insurance Defense
Defended suburban village against claims in federal court that its police officers had violated the civil rights of plaintiffs. The court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants.
Publications
Growth of Federal Preemption (IDC Products Liability Newsletter “Defense Update”, Vol. 9, No. 1, January 2009)
Warning, Warning: Warnings Required Under Illinois Products Liability Law (IDC Quarterly, 16:4, December, 2006)
Sophisticated User and Bulk Supplier Defenses – The Time for Their Use In Illinois Is Now (IDC Quarterly, 14:4, 2004)
The Use of Standards and Preemption in the Defense of Product Design and Warning Cases: Making Your Government Work for You ( IDC Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 3, September 2000)
Defending Product Liability Cases in Illinois After the Best Decision (IDC Quarterly, Vol. 8, No. 4, December 1998)
Relating Back of Amended Pleadings: Not as Easy as You Think (Tort Trends, Vol. 30, No. 1, July 1994)
Application of Construction Statute of Repose to Asbestos Installation Contractors (Tort Trends, Vol. 28, No. 6, June 1993)
Immunity from Liability for Discretionary Acts of Officials of Local Governmental Entities Under the Tort Immunity Act (Tort Trends, Vol. 28, No. 1, July, 1992)
Presentations
Lecturer on Toxic Torts, Tort Reform, Expert Evidence, Negotiating and Civil Procedure
