Robert Kolar focuses his practice on products liability and complex technical litigation. Bob has had extensive trial and appellate experience in state and federal courts. He 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, medical devices and chemicals. On a pro hac vice basis, he has practiced before state and federal courts in more than 35 States.
Prior to joining the firm, Bob 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 has the opportunity to send an instrument package on one of the first Lunar Surveyor missions to determine the composition of the Lunar surface. He also participated in the basic research in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, which was the precursor to modern MRI devices.
He received his J.D. from John Marshall Law School 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 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.
Bob has been recognized as a "Leading Lawyer" in a survey by Law Bulletin Publishing Company®.