Robert J. Williams

Bob is co-chair of Schnader’s Aviation Group and a trial attorney with more than two decades’ experience representing global, national and regional companies in complex, high-stakes actions in federal and state courts, private and court-annexed arbitrations, and administrative agencies. He has substantial experience with a wide range of matters, including product liability, insurance coverage, claims handling and bad faith, construction, torts, property tax appeals, and commercial and business litigation. He also counsels companies on litigation avoidance strategies and risk management.

Bob is an aircraft owner and active private pilot, with an instrument rating and endorsements for high-performance and complex aircraft. He applies his practical and legal knowledge to the representation of virtually every type of aviation industry participant, including aircraft and component manufacturers, airports, air carriers and other commercial operators, repair stations, fixed base operators, pilots, flight instructors, mechanics and insurers. Bob recently was appointed to the Board of Directors and as Director of the Attorneys’ Division of the Aviation Insurance Association.

According to The Legal 500, Mr. Williams is recognized for his “‘in-depth knowledge of product liability claims and the aviation sector’ coupled with ‘the ability to rapidly and strategically respond to procedural differences in various jurisdictions.'”

He regularly speaks on diverse matters, and has recently given presentations covering the following subjects:

“Juries and Jury Trials: Is a New Defense Playbook Needed for Insurers and Trial Counsel?”
“The Invisible Hijacker: Cybersecurity in Aviation”
“Does Criminalization of Aviation Accidents Impact Safety?”
“Reporting Requirements Under the Medicare Secondary Payer Statute”
“Indemnity Clauses for Brokers and Insurers”
Aviation Insurance Coverage Differences Among State Laws
Personal Jurisdiction over Foreign Corporations in the Wake of Daimler
“So, you want to fly a drone?”

Bob also serves as a member of the firm’s Associates Professional Development Committee and Retreat Committee.

News & Publications

Community & Pro Bono

Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary, Golden Triangle Composite Squadron 603, Commanding Officer
Veterans Claims Administration Network, American Bar Association, pro bono attorney
Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic: volunteer pilot, community representative
Leadership Pittsburgh XXIV
Pilots N Paws, volunteer pilot
Veterans Airlift Command, volunteer pilot
USA Swimming, Certified Starter and Stroke & Turn Official
Allegheny North Swim Club, Board of Directors

Education

Temple University Beasley School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1995
University of Pittsburgh, B.A., 1992

Bar Admissions

New Jersey, 1996
Pennsylvania, 1995

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Supreme Court of New Jersey

Clerkships

Honorable Thomas N. O’Neill, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Professional Affiliations

Aviation Insurance Association, Board Member and Director of the Attorneys Division, 2018-2020, General Counsel, 2022 to present
Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
International Association of Defense Counsel, member
DRI Aviation Law Committee, chair, 2013-2015; vice-chair, 2011-2013; Membership Subcommittee chair, 2010-2011
American Bar Association, member; Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Aviation and Space Law General Committee vice chair, 2017-present
Pennsylvania Bar Association, member
Allegheny County Bar Association, member

Other Distinctions

Civil Air Patrol Squadron 603 Achievement Award for Outstanding Duty Performance as Safety Officer, 2020, and Pennsylvania Wing Group 1 Safety Officer of the Year, 2021
Rated AV® Preeminent, by Martindale-Hubbell®*
Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Transport, 2018-2022*
Listed among “Leading Aviation Attorneys” by Aviation Expert Guides, 2015 to present*
Noted among “Pennsylvania Super Lawyers” for Litigation, Aviation and Aerospace, 2019-2022*
JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award Winner, 2017
Earl G. Harrison Community Service Award, 2015
Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Award recipient, 2009
Named as a “Leading Lawyer” by Legal 500, 2022
Named among ˜Pennsylvania Rising Stars’ by the publishers of Super Lawyers, 2005*
Listed in Madison’s Registry of Who’s Who Among Professionals and Executives, 2005*
Noted as among “Lawyers on the Fast Track” by The Legal Intelligencer, 2005*
Bernard S. Cheskin Memorial Scholarship recipient
Temple International and Comparative Law Journal, managing editor
Andrew Mellon Scholar

*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Further information on methodologies is available via these links.

Martindale Preeminent

Representative Matters

Aviation and Product Liability Experience

As lead trial and appellate counsel for a major airline, obtained dismissal of claims asserted by trans-Atlantic passenger under the Montreal Convention that airline failed to provide adequate medical attention following discharge of smoke in cabin, causing respiratory arrest and distress, damage to internal organs, and mental trauma.
As lead trial and appellate counsel for a major metropolitan airport authority, obtained dismissal of eminent domain and civil rights claims brought by owner and operator of corporate jets over ownership of hangar and related facilities erected on the field.
Co-lead trial counsel for claims asserted in federal court by aircraft owner and Part 135 operator against major international business jet manufacturer arising out of damages allegedly caused by factory service center during engine performance runs.
Defended engine manufacturer in wrongful death action arising out of crash of an E-2C Hawkeye aircraft in the Arabian Gulf during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lead counsel for aviation engine component designer, manufacturer and overhauler in multiple crash cases involving fatalities and permanent injuries in multiple jurisdictions.
Co-counsel for one of the world’s leading aircraft engine manufacturers in nationwide litigation arising from a variety of military and civilian helicopter crashes.
Lead counsel for holder of supplemental type certificate for major engine, propeller and airframe modifications in crash involving fatalities of prominent businessman and flight instructor.
Defense of state police and helicopter EMS operator for claims arising out of crash involving multiple fatalities, and related prosecution of claims against federal government for alleged deficiencies in air traffic control.
Defense of the country’s largest helicopter EMS operator for claims arising out of crash involving fatalities and multiple permanent disabilities and injuries.
Defense of fixed base operator alleged to have been responsible for loss of aircraft pressurization that resulted in crash killing prominent businessman and his spouse. Designed and supervised flight testing and simulations that were instrumental in negotiation of favorable settlement below cost of defense.
Engineered substantial recovery on behalf of general contractor and project manager in action against defaulting subcontractor and surety in the construction of $750 million passenger terminal building of major hub airport.
Counsel for one of the world’s leading component manufacturers in actions arising from the fatal crash of an Army Air National Guard helicopter.

Commercial Experience

Lead defense counsel for global water treatment systems designer and manufacturer against claims arising out of $300 million construction of 710 megawatt and 1 million pph generation facility.
Co-lead trial counsel for prosecution of trademark infringement, theft of trade secrets and unfair business competition claims in federal court on behalf of international designer and manufacturer of industrial steam generation equipment.
Obtained multiple verdicts and judgments in favor of condominium council officers on breach of fiduciary duty and discrimination claims in related state and federal actions, including recovery of 100% of clients’ attorneys’ fees and costs of almost $400,000. Subsequently identified and played a key role in recovery of almost $3 million in assets that were fraudulently transferred to avoid satisfaction of clients’ judgments.
Lead defense counsel for world’s largest cable, telecommunications and broadcast company in multiple actions involving real estate, contract and employment/agency claims.
Successfully resolved class action filed against regional medical clinic for alleged Telephone Consumer Protection Act claims, inter alia, by proving lack of culpable intent, absence of requisite commonality and public health mandate as defense.
Obtained defense verdict as lead trial counsel for site preparation contractor on fraud and lien avoidance claims arising out of construction of storage facility and apartment complex.
Obtained defense verdict as lead trial counsel for insured in personal injury action involving staged accident and fraudulent medical claims by reputed member of organized crime syndicate.

Published Opinions

Reuben v. US Airways, 500 Fed. Appx. 103 (3d Cir. 2012)
In Re Kartman, 354 B.R. 70 (W.D.Pa. 2006)
McCabe v. State Farm, 36 F. Supp. 2d 666 (E.D.Pa. 1999)

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