Edward “Chip” Robertson Jr.
Kansas
Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader P.C.
4000 W. 114th Street, Suite 310
Leawood, KS 66211
United States
Tel: (913) 266 2300
Email:
crobertson@bflawfirm.com
Web:
www.bflawfirm.com
As leader of the firm’s appellate practice, Chip Robertson analyzes complex case histories and advocates for client positions before the courts. It’s a role for which he is well-positioned; before joining Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader, Chip served as a Missouri Supreme Court judge from 1985 to 1998. He was chief justice from 1991 to 1993.
Among his recent appellate successes:
- In Maddison Schmidt v. Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Chip represented Ms. Schmidt and her family, who had received a $38 million jury verdict in a personal injury lawsuit. The company appealed. Chip successfully protected their verdict before the Missouri Court of Appeals, which affirmed the result at the lower court.
- In State of Missouri v. Christopher Eric Hunt, Chip represented Mr. Hunt, a police officer who was found guilty of assault, burglary and property damage in connection with the pursuit of a methamphetamine dealer. The litigation went all the way to the Missouri Supreme Court, which dismissed two of the charges. Ultimately, Mr. Hunt served no jail time and was reinstated on the police force.
Chip also leads the firm’s class action team, where he works to broker collaborative solutions. As lead counsel for AT&T Mobility customers, he secured a settlement of more than $1 billion on claims of improper sales tax charges; he later achieved a $157 million settlement with the company for mistaken Federal Universal Services fees that were mistakenly charged to cell phone customers. In 2016, he represented a class of jurors, judges, courthouse employees and lawyers who were exposed to asbestos during a renovation of the Jackson County (Mo.) Courthouse; that matter ended with an $80 million settlement and is regarded as the first medical monitoring case in the state of Missouri.
Over decades of practice, Chip has cultivated a reputation of integrity, judgment and legal acumen. He is frequently sought for committees and investigations that involve the legal profession. He co-chaired Missouri’s Municipal Division Work Group, which studied potential improvements to the municipal court system and has served as special counsel to the Missouri House’s Special Investigative Committee on Oversight. He is a recipient of the Missouri Bar President’s Award for outstanding contributions to the Missouri Bar.
Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader is uniquely positioned to work before the higher courts; our appellate team includes Chip Robertson, former chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court. Having heard appeals on the state’s highest court for 13 years, Chip has first-hand knowledge of what issues have merit and what arguments are most likely to persuade appellate judges. Kip Robertson, Tony DeWitt and Mary Winter also have extensive experience handling appeals.
Our appellate team works in both state and federal courts – coast to coast. Recent appellate victories include:
- Maddison Schmidt v. Abbott Laboratories, Inc.: Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader represented Ms. Schmidt and her family, who had received a $38 million jury verdict in a personal injury lawsuit. The company appealed. Our firm successfully protected their verdict before the Missouri Court of Appeals, which affirmed the result at the lower court.
- State of Missouri v. Christopher Eric Hunt: We represented Mr. Hunt, a police officer who was found guilty of assault, burglary and property damage in connection with the pursuit of a methamphetamine dealer. The litigation went all the way to the Missouri Supreme Court, which dismissed two of the charges. Ultimately, Mr. Hunt served no jail time and was reinstated on the police force.
- Elsea v. U.S. Engineering Co.: A circuit court judge denied class certification in a lawsuit alleging asbestos exposure during the remodeling of the Jackson County (Mo.) Courthouse. Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader argued the appeal at the Missouri Court of Appeals. The appellate court remanded the case, the class was certified, and ultimately the matter resolved for an $80 million settlement.
- Leonberger v. MUSIC and United Educators: We represented a school bus driver whose insurance companies had wrongfully denied him coverage for an accident. We established before the Court of Appeals that one of the insurers was actually an excess carrier even though it claimed it was just a reinsurer that owed no duties to our client. We also secured the affirmance of the trial court’s decision that the insurance policy covered the bus driver for the accident. The case resulted in a settlement of $13 million.
Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader specializes in high-stakes, complex plaintiff’s litigation. Our team of nationally recognized, award-winning attorneys is dedicated to finding smarter resolutions to complicated problems. For 30 years, we have thought about cases differently and worked to bring meaningful change to our clients’ lives. At BFRR, we believe that none of us alone is as smart as all of us together. What sets us apart from other firms is the ability to effectively collaborate and draw on the unique perspectives of our team members.
Our cases range from catastrophic injuries and bad faith insurance claims to trucking accidents and nationwide class action suits. From the beginning of a case and all the way through an appeal, the attorneys at BFRR use their well-honed courtroom skills to distill complicated issues into compelling stories that resonate with judges and juries.
The proven ability to navigate challenging cases with innovative strategies sets Bartimus Frickleton apart from the herd. Where other firms are overwhelmed, we are energized to approach difficult issues with a devoted team dedicated to reaching solutions that make sense and provide our clients with a just resolution.