Atty. Robert H. "Bob" Riley

Atty. Robert H. "Bob" Riley

Bob Riley is a trial lawyer. He has tried a broad array of complex, high-stakes cases and has argued appeals in state and federal courts across the country.

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Profile Summary

About Robert H. "Bob" Riley at a glance

Robert H. "Bob" Riley is a class action and product liability attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP. Admitted to practice in Illinois, Illinois State Bar and Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Bar. Educated at University of Chicago (J.D., 1978) and Denison University (B.A., 1975). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Bob Riley is a trial lawyer
  • He has tried a broad array of complex, high-stakes cases and has argued appeals in state and federal courts across the country
  • His practice focuses on product liability, mass torts, and environmental cases
  • class actions
  • and general commercial litigation
  • Bob’s appellate work has given rise to over forty reported decisions concerning trial consolidations, punitive damages, civil conspiracy, class certification, and constitutional interpretation
  • He litigated mass tort and property damage cases following the events of 9/11 in New York City
  • As his honors and awards attest, he is considered a true leader in his field
  • When he is not in the courtroom, Bob helps clients manage the risks associated with high-stakes litigation
  • He has spent decades creating and implementing national litigation strategies and helping public companies deal with their disclosure obligations concerning significant litigation problems
  • Bob is the Lead of the firm’s Appeals Practice Team

Practice Areas Explained

Robert H. "Bob" Riley's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Robert H. "Bob" Riley handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Class Action

Robert H. "Bob" Riley is one of 26,424 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in Illinois →

Product Liability

Robert H. "Bob" Riley is one of 66,193 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Illinois →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Illinois

Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Robert H. "Bob" Riley

Where is Robert H. "Bob" Riley's law office located?
Robert H. "Bob" Riley's law practice is located in Chicago, Illinois. The firm is Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Robert H. "Bob" Riley handle?
Robert H. "Bob" Riley focuses on class action, product liability. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Illinois.
Where did Robert H. "Bob" Riley go to law school?
Robert H. "Bob" Riley earned their education at (J.D., 1978); (B.A., 1975).
How can I contact Robert H. "Bob" Riley for a consultation?
You can contact Robert H. "Bob" Riley directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Robert H. "Bob" Riley received?
Robert H. "Bob" Riley's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants; Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation.

Education

J.D.
University of Chicago
- 1978
B.A.
Denison University
- 1975

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawdragon Inc.
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — (2023-2025)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawdragon Hall of Fame
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — (2023)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Illinois Leading Lawyer
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — (2003-2010, 2012-2025)
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (Chicago)
- 2021
Lawyer of the Year — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (Chicago)
- 2019
Lawyer of the Year — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (Chicago)
- 2017
Lawyer of the Year — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants (Chicago)
- 2016

Bar Admissions

Illinois, Illinois State Bar
Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Bar

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