Biography
Robert L. Lieff is the founder of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, a prestigious law firm recognised for its expertise in class actions, mass torts and complex litigation, and is one of the most influential lawyers in modern and contemporary legal history. A pupil and later partner of Melvin Belli, he has authored and participated in some of the most important pages of damages known.
Robert Lieff graduated from Columbia Law School and pursued a pioneering career in civil law. His firm has obtained significant settlements in a number of high-profile cases, including securities fraud, consumer protection and antitrust litigation. In particular, Lieff has been instrumental in obtaining significant settlements for victims in large class actions.
Among his many lawsuits are those for the grounding and oil pollution caused by the Exxon Valdez oil tanker in Alaska and for damages suffered by states in the U.S.A. to cure cigarette smoking diseases. In 1998, a more than $200 billion settlement ended the litigation against the tobacco industry in which Bob and his colleagues represented states such as Massachusetts.
Lieff's contribution to the legal profession includes promoting class actions and defending the rights of individuals in cases of corporate misconduct.
In 2005, lawyer Robert Lieff founded the Global Justice Forum, later became Global Justice Network, with the aim of promoting and intensifying cooperation between law firms and lawyers from different countries, with a focus on 'mass casualties' and 'catastrophic events' that often have transnational profiles, in favour of the victims.
Robert Lieff is also a member of the American Association of Arbitration (AAJ) and the International Association of Trial Lawyers.
Lawyer Robert Lieff has also written extensively on the topic of complex litigation and is a frequent speaker at legal meetings and conferences.