Practice Areas

Education

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., 1981
  • University of Chicago, M.A., 1975
  • University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1973

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Illinois, 1982
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1983
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 2004
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado, 2005
Robert J. Bingle
Partner
33 N. Dearborn Street
21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
RJB@CorboyDemetrio.com    vCard

Robert J. Bingle joined the Chicago law firm of Corboy & Demetrio in 1983, became a partner in 1991 and Managing Partner in 1995. Over the last 26 years, he has been involved in every type of personal injury and wrongful death case and has obtained numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlement for his clients.

As a result of Bob's extensive legal experience, he has acquired leadership positions on mass tort litigation arising from railroad collisions, gas explosions and fires and other disasters. He was lead plaintiffs' counsel for the litigation stemming from the collision of a train and school bus in Fox River Grove, Illinois, which settled in excess of $25 million and was one of the lead attorneys in a $10 million settlement stemming from a collision at a Union Pacific rail yard that resulted in the death of the three men.  He was also the lead trial attorney and directed the mass litigation stemming from the Quantum Chemical explosion which settled for more than $20 million.

Bob has secured a number of record-setting verdicts. In a Federal District Court lawsuit Bob tried a $6.6 million verdict was awarded to a family injured in an automobile collision. It was the largest verdict ever in that Court. In a railroad negligence case, the jury returned a $6.8 million verdict, the highest amount ever awarded in Illinois to an individual for the loss of his leg.

A few of Bob's other notable cases include an $18 million settlement for the family of a Mexican national who was killed by a piece of falling glass from Chicago’s CNA Tower, a $4.5 million settlement for a young man burned at a chemical refinery and a $3.9 million verdict for the family of a 10-year-old girl who drowned at a municipal water station.

In addition to his trial work, Bob is the Managing Partner at Corboy & Demetrio and is very active in bar association work. He is a past President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) and is now on its Board of Managers. He served as Chairman of ITLA's Membership and Legal Education Committees and Co-Chairman of its Legislative Committee. By appointment of the Illinois Supreme Court, Bob has served since 2004 on the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Jury Instructions in Civil Cases. He is a past board member of the Illinois Supreme Court Character and Fitness Committee.

Bob has also been a faculty member at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and a member of the Loyola University Chicago School of Law Alumni Board.

He lectures extensively throughout the United States at bar association and interest group seminars and has published chapters and articles in legal books, periodicals and newspapers. He is frequently called upon by the media to comment on legal issues involving civil litigation and has appeared nationally and locally on television and radio news broadcasts and news talk programs.

Bob's community involvement includes his service on the Board of Directors for the Spinal Cord Injury Association and on the Board of Trustees for Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois. Additionally, he is a member of the Parents’ Council at Boston College in Massachusetts and volunteers for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago.

A member of the Leading Lawyers Network, the top 5% of all Illinois attorneys, Bob is also an Illinois Super Lawyer and has attained an AV rating - the highest level awarded for professional excellence - from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.

Bob brings a unique background to the firm. Before joining Corboy & Demetrio, he was a sales and marketing director for Hilton Hotels Corporation.

View expanded bio

Profiles

Personal Injury Attorney's Advice: Never Underestimate Intelligence of Jury, The Doings Newspaper, December 2007 

News

Publications

Honors

  • Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, President, 2002
  • AV rated - Highest level awarded for professional excellence - Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
  • Illinois Super Lawyer - Top 5% of all Illinois attorneys
  • Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Jury Instructions in Civil Cases, Member
  • Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness, First District (1993-2001)
  • Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Managers
  • Leading Lawyers Network Member - Top 5% of all Illinois attorneys

Professional Affiliations

  • American Association for Justice (AAJ), formerly known as Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), Railroad Law Section, 1991-present
  • American Bar Association (ABA), Section on Litigation
  • Chicago Bar Association (CBA), House Committee, Chairman, 1992-1993, 1993-1994
  • DuPage County Bar Association, 1990-present
  • Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Standing Committee on Judicial Appointments, 1994-1995
  • Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), President, 2002; Board of Managers, 1987-Present; Legislative Committee, 1985- present; Executive Committee, 1995-2005; President-Elect, 2001; Long Range Planning Committee, Chairman, 1999-2000, 2001; Journal, Editorial Board, 1999; Chairman, Legal Education Programs, 1995-1997; Co-Chairman, Legislative Committee, 1994-1996; Chairman, Membership Committee, 1988-1990, 1992-1994; Public Relations Committee, 1985-1987
  • Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Jury Instructions in Civil Cases, 2004-present
  • National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA)

Community Involvement

  • Fenwick High School, Board of Trustees
  • Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, Board of Directors
  • Boston College Parent's Council
  • Spinal Cord Injury Association, Board of Directors

Seminars & Speeches

  • "Zealous Advocacy - What Does It Mean?,” Ethics & Professionalism in the Personal Injury Practice Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2010
  • “Opening Statement,” Trial Preparation Seminar, Suisse Bancorp, 2010

  • “Caps on Medical Malpractice Awards Are Bad Policy,” Northwestern University Political Union, 2010

  • "Case Evaluation Conference, Managing the High Verdict Potential Case," Law Bulletin Seminars, 2009
  • "Pro Bono Work," Current Issues in Professional Responsibility Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2008
  • "Litigation Skills for Legal Staff in Illinois," Lorman Education Services, 2008
  • "Opening Statement - Storytelling with Emotion and the Use of Rhetorical Devices," Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, 2007
  • "Selecting and Influencing Your Jury," Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2006
  • "Mastering Your Opening Statement in a Jury Trial," Chicago Bar Association, 2006
  • "Opening Statements," President’s Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2006
  • "Tort Reform Debate," Extension 720 Radio Show with Milt Rosenberg, WGN,  2005
  • "How Plaintiffs' Lawyers Perceive Insurance Companies," Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters Society, 2005
  • "Settlements - Problems and Solutions," President’s Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2004
  • "Successfully Navigating Civil Litigation: Update and Overview of Civil Practice and Procedure Practical and Legal Considerations," Illinois State Bar Association, 2004
  • "Point-Counterpoint," Evidence Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2003
  • "Direct Examination," Trial Practice - Law Update and Practice Tips, Illinois State Bar Association, 2002
  • "What's New in Government Tort Immunity," Central Illinois Civil Seminar Update and Review Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2002
  • "Maximizing Damages in a Closed Head Injury Case," Point/Counterpoint Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2001
  • "Empty Chair Defense," Evidence Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2000 
  • Federalist Society Debate, 1999
  • Moderator and Program Planner, Evidence Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 1999
  • "Trial Practice," Civil Practice Update Seminar, Illinois State Bar Association, 1999 
  • "Jury Selection," Bench/Bar Relations Committee Seminar, Chicago Bar Association, 1998
  • "How to Try a Personal Injury Case," Practicing Law Institute, 1998
  • ITLA Civil Practice Update and Review Seminar, September, 1998
  •  Moderator and Program Planner, Enhancing Your Law Practice Through Public Speaking Seminar, Chicago Bar Association, 1997
  • "Mentoring," Tort Law Section Council Seminar, Illinois State Bar Association, 1997
  • "Opening Statement," Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 1997
  • "Expert Witness Foundations for Expert Opinions," Office of the Illinois Attorney General, 1997
  • "The Plaintiff's Perspective on Mass Tort Litigation," Illinois Association of Defense Counsel, 1997
  • "Trial Techniques Demonstration," Loyola University Chicago School of Law Dublin Health Law Conference, 1997
  • "Negotiation and Mediation - A Systematic Approach," National Institute of Trial Advocacy, 1997
  • "Trial Advocacy from Both Sides With Views From the Bench - Constructing and Presenting Plaintiff's Case-In-Chief," Point-Counterpoint Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 1997
  • "Maximizing Results Through Settlement and Trial - Prosecuting the Negligence Case - Handling Coverage and Bad-Faith Issues to Maximize Settlement," Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 1997
  • Illinois Civil and Criminal Justice Inside Insights Panel Discussion, 1996
  • "The Art of Persuasion," Trial Practice Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 1996
  • "The Settlement Dilemma," Practice Update and Review Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association,1996
  • DePaul University College of Law National Symposium on the Legal and Business Issues of Tort Reform, 1996
  • "Ten Reasons Why Lawyers are Hated - and Loved," Texas Trial Lawyers Association, 1994
  • Annual Convention Melvin Belli Seminar, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 1994
  • "Evidence," Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 1993
  • "Final Argument," Ultimate Trial Seminar II , New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association,  1992
  • "Proof in Argument," Products Liability Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 1992
  • "Products Liability," Law Education Series Civil Practice Seminar, Illinois State Bar Association, 1992
  • "Proof & Argument in the Courtroom, Loss of Consortium and Society," Products Liability/Wrongful Death Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 1992
  • "Proving Injury: Pain & Suffering, Loss of Consortium and Earnings," Chicago Bar Association, 1991
  • "Slip and Fall - A Plaintiff's Perspective," Chicago Bar Association, 1991
  • "Voir Dire," American Bar Association, 1991
  • "Negligence,"  Civil Practice Update Review and Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 1991
  • Committee on Professional Responsibility , Young Lawyers Section, Chicago Bar Association, 1991
  • "Comparative Negligence,"  Young Lawyers Section Seminar, Chicago Bar Association, 1991
  • "Negotiation," Aetna Insurance Company Claims Representatives Regional Conference, 1990
  • "Defending Auto Accident Cases - Proving One-Car Accident Cases," Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1990
  • "Overcoming Governmental Tort Immunity - The Plaintiff's Perspective," Young Lawyers Section Seminar, Chicago Bar Association, 1990
  • "Personal Injury Litigation Practice in Illinois," National Business Institute Seminar, 1989
  • "Careful Habits, Reputation Evidence," Evidence Seminar, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 1988
  • Judge, Loyola Moot Court Competition, 1987
  • Judge, Loyola Moot Court Competition, 1986
  • Loyola Appellate Advocacy, 1986
  • "Negotiations: A Systematic Approach," National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Faculty Member, June 1996, June 1994, June 1993, June 1991, June 1990, June 1988, June 1987, December 1986, May 1986, December 1985