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One of the qualities that makes Robert Trizna such an effective litigator is his ability to distill the most complex and arcane facts and law into readily understandable concepts, which he then communicates in a compelling manner. His insight and feel for what does and does not matter and—more important—for what will persuade a judge or jury, explain why his opinions are sought and valued by both his colleagues and his clients.
Bob honed these qualities during a clerkship with United States District Judge George N. Leighton and, afterward, as a litigation associate with a major international law firm. A craving for the kind of hands-on trial experience he had observed while clerking inspired him to start his own law firm, which he built and managed in various sizes and incarnations for nearly 15 years. During this time his practice evolved from its exclusive focus on litigation to include business transactions and counseling services, and he began to employ analytical and trial skills proactively not only to assess and resolve his clients' disputes, but also to help them anticipate and avoid future problems through preventative audits and transactional counseling.
As the synergies of his dual practices placed more demands on him and his firm, Bob saw Schuyler Roche's size and structure as the appropriately sophisticated yet collegial platform for enhancing the scope and quality of the services he could offer his clients.
As a litigator and trial attorney, Bob has represented a diverse group of national and international businesses. In recent years he has acquired experience litigating disputes under the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and, consequently, now also counsels clients regarding its mandates.
During his career Bob has served as lead counsel on hundreds of commercial, employment, trade secret, personal injury and property damage cases, trying a variety of them to both judges and juries. Among the reported cases for which he served as lead trial or appellate counsel are:
- International Armor & Limousine Company v. Moloney Coachbuilders, Inc., 272 F.3d 912 (7th Cir. 2001), in which he represented a limousine and armored vehicle manufacturer in a suit involving contract, trademark and federal jurisdiction issues
- International Union UAW v. BVR Liquidating, 190 F.3d 768 (6th Cir. 1999), in which he represented a manufacturer of aerospace products in an ERISA dispute concerning the vesting of retiree healthcare benefits provided under a collective bargaining agreement
- Board of Trustees, Sheet Metal Workers v. Illinois Range, 71 F.Supp.2d 864 (N.D. Ill. 1999), in which he represented shareholders of a restaurant equipment manufacturer on claims against them for that corporation's ERISA-based pension plan withdrawal obligations
- Creyts Complex, Inc., v. Marriott Corporation, 98 F.3d 321 (7th Cir. 1996), in which he represented Marriott Corporation in a commercial real estate contract dispute
- Greer Properties, Inc., v. LaSalle National Bank, 874 F.2d 457 (7th Cir. 1989), involving the conditional contract rights of a Marriott Corporation subsidiary in the acquisition of commercial real estate
- American National Bank v. Bentley, 512 N.E.2d 12 (1st Dist. 1987), in which he resolved partnership liability issues
- Bartsch v. Gordon N. Plumb, Inc., 485 N.E.2d 1105 (1st Dist. 1985), 485 N.E.2d 1105 (1st Dist. 1985), in which he resolved complex real estate, contract and Illinois court procedural issues.
In his more than 20 years as a trial and appellate advocate, Bob has also developed an understanding of and appreciation for certain forms of alternative dispute resolution, which he has used in appropriate situations to advance his clients' interests and objectives with a greater degree of predictability, cost-effectiveness and confidentiality than is normally possible through litigation.
Bob also serves as primary outside counsel to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as to the people who own and run them. In that capacity, he provides advice over a broad spectrum of business-oriented legal issues on such matters as corporate and partnership governance; labor and employment relations; contract negotiations and drafting; sales, distribution and marketing; real estate acquisition and leasing; and the protection of intellectual property and trade secrets.
Bob possesses a keen understanding of the need for crafting cost-effective solutions to business problems, whether at the transactional or litigation stage. If your business needs a hard-nosed but practical advisor, negotiator and litigator, call Bob Trizna.
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