ROBERT J. KOPKA
Managing Partner
Buffalo Grove, IL
P: 847.549.9611
F: 847.549.9636
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Robert J. Kopka has handled a wide variety of business disputes, commercial litigation and insurance defense matters for over 25 years, including consumer fraud, breach of contract significant bodily injury, employment disputes and appellate matters. Mr. Kopka handles large lawsuits, appeals and a wide range of alternative dispute resolutions. His experience extends to professional liability including insurance and real estate agent errors and omissions, legal malpractice and director’s and officer’s errors and omissions. Mr. Kopka defends declaratory judgment actions on behalf of insurance companies and advises them regarding coverage. He has also defended toxic tort suits involving asbestos, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, paints and industrial coatings. Mr. Kopka represents common carriers in hazardous waste and toxic spill litigation, and also directs the firm's transportation, including automobile, UM/UIM and trucking, FELA and consumer fraud defense practice. Mr. Kopka has argued matters before the United States Supreme Court, the Illinois and Indiana Supreme Courts and before several other federal and state appellate courts. Prior to forming Kopka, Pinkus, Dolin & Eads, P.C., and its predecessor firm Kopka, Landau & Pinkus, in 1999, Mr. Kopka formed the firm of Landau, Omahana & Kopka, Ltd. in 1987. Mr. Kopka is a member of the Federal Trial Bar and has been admitted pro hac vice, for the purpose of trying individual cases in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Texas and California. Mr. Kopka is a frequent speaker on various topics, including tort reform, insurance coverage, litigation management techniques, alternative billing arrangements, premises liability, additional insured endorsement, admiralty, common carrier and warehouseman's legal liability.
CASE/TRIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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Appellate experience includes a matter of great significance regarding federal jurisdiction decided by the Unites States Supreme Court in 1991. Sisson v. Ruby, 497 U.S. 358
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Successfully defended a multistate corporation against claims of retaliatory discharge and breach of contract at trial in Indiana.
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Successfully mediated a claim for breach of contract which resulted in a settlement of more than $1 million pre-suit by employing an innovative approval involving an alternative dispute resolution process.
- Successfully defended a corporation against claims of fraud, conversion, violation of the federal Computer Fraud & Abuse Act and other alleged violations stemming from the formation of a competing business by former employees of plaintiff corporation.
MEMBERSHIPS & ACCOLADES
Claims & Litigation Management Alliance, National Committee
Defense Research Institute, Past Chair (2011) of the Law Practice Management Committee
National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA), Founding Member
Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc.
The Trial Law Institute, Member
Trial Counsel of America
Trucking Industry Defense Association
Chicago's Top Rated Lawyers (2012)
Illinois Super Lawyers (2008-2013)
ADMISSIONS
Illinois
Indiana
Wisconsin
United States Supreme Court
Numerous Federal and District Courts
EDUCATION
DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, J.D.
Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, B.A.
PUBLICATIONS
"Developing Leaders: What Qualities Make A Great Leader?", CLM Magazine, Litigation Management (Fall 2012).
"New Illinois Supreme Court Decision", KPDE Legal Advisory, (October 25, 2010).
