Robert D. Kolar

Robert Kolar is a partner in the Chicago office of Tressler, Soderstrom, Maloney & Priess, LLP. He is co-chair of the firms Product Liability and Complex Technical Litigation department. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics and Mathematics from Roosevelt University in 1961 and did graduate work in physics at the Illinois Institute of Technology. He was a Research Nuclear Physicist at the IIT Research Institute in Chicago, where he was involved in basic research in nuclear structure. In this position, Bob sent an instrument package to determine the composition of the Lunar surface on one of the first Lunar Surveyor missions. Bob received his J.D. from John Marshall Law School in 1967 and was elected to the Order of John Marshall. From 1967 to 1973, he served on the adjunct faculty at the School. Bob worked in international patents during law school and for several years thereafter and is licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent Office. Bob was formerly the principal shareholder in Robert D. Kolar & Associates, Ltd., where his practice was concentrated in the areas of Products Liability and complex technical litigation in courts throughout the United States.

Bob has had extensive trial and appellate experience in State and Federal courts and is a member of the Trial Bar of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He is licensed to practice before the United States Patent Office, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the United States Supreme Court and the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals, as well as several U.S. District Courts and Courts of Appeal. He is a member of the state bars of both Illinois and Texas. In addition, he is an active member of the Product Liability Sections or Committees of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, the International Association of Defense Counsel, the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, the Defense Research Institute and the American Bar Association.

Bob is a frequent author and lecturer on the subject of Product Liability litigation and Risk Prevention. He has been certified as an Amusement Ride Safety Inspector by the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials. Bob is also a licensed commercial pilot with multi-engine and instrument ratings, an avid skier and a sailor. He and his crew are Chicago-Mackinac Race winners and have won the Chicago Offshore Championship, as well.

Bob has been lead counsel on numerous multi-million dollar cases ranging from severe burns to quadriplegia and sudden death. He has successfully defended, on trial and appeal, products including toys and sporting equipment, amusement rides, heavy industrial machinery and chemicals. On a pro hac vice basis, he has practiced before state and federal courts in more than 35 States.

Bob has recently been recognized by his peers as a Leading Lawyer in a survey by Law Bulletin Publishing Company and listed on LeadingLawyers.com.