Clifford’s Notes

Following a $289 million verdict for a groundskeeper who developed cancer after long-term exposure to a cancer-causing pesticide, Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices and a columnist for the Chicago Lawyer, authored a piece titled “Hiding Behind Their Sheilds” in the December-January issue, writing that corporate immunity is an argument corporations use to try to avoid responsibility for those injured by exposure to the dangerous chemical. Farmers often suffer the…

Coaching witnesses during remote video depositions has become a more frequent problem for lawyers due to their lack of proper preparation. In an article titled “Laying the Groundwork,” published in the August/September 2025 issue of Chicago Lawyer magazine, Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, shares his thoughts on this issue and the latest word from the American Bar Association on how best to avoid this improper and unethical practice. “Coaching…

“Never events” in medicine — or mistakes with consequences so grave that they never should occur — still occur with regularity throughout the United States. Although doctors do not intentionally try to harm patients, they certainly need to be careful, especially with procedures that can lead to death. Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, writes about the impact of “never events” in his column for the Chicago Lawyer’s June/July issue,…

COVID-19 caused unprecedented disruption to many facets of modern society. Five years later, the impact of the pandemic is still felt throughout courts as judges and lawyers navigate complexities surrounding the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act and the courts’ responsibility to uphold justice. Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, authored a column for Chicago Lawyer Magazine titled “Covid Chaos Still Lingering in the Courts,” which analyzes the impact of the…

Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, authored an article for the February/March issue of Chicago Lawyer Magazine titled “Guidance on AI.” The article explores the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision that the state’s Rules of Professional Conduct and Code of Judicial Conduct apply to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession and shares guidance for the responsible use of AI tools within the profession. As new technology emerges…

Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, authored an article for the Chicago Lawyer titled “Smart Development.” The article discusses that while recent innovations in medical AI are transforming the design, testing, and optimization of medical devices, challenges that can impact medical malpractice lawsuits remain. AI in healthcare has the potential to aid medical technology such as imaging, diagnostics, and patient safety through its speed and efficiency in generating and evaluating…

Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, authored an article for Chicago Lawyer Magazine titled “Weight Gain” which explores the growing safety concerns surrounding electric vehicles (EVs) and their impact on roadside infrastructure, particularly guardrails. Significantly heavier than gas-powered vehicles, Bob shares the urgent need to address the potential dangers of EVs as their popularity increases. “Guardrails are essential for safety on the nation’s roads, but if not properly designed, constructed,…

Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, authored an article for Chicago Lawyer Magazine, titled, “Regulating AI for the Law,” which discusses the implications of using artificial intelligence within various legal scenarios including brief writing, jury selection, and law school application materials. “AI apparently is revolutionizing the legal profession by providing tools that assist lawyers in research, drafting, and decision-making. The sophisticated data mining already is used by consultants in the…

Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, authored an article for Chicago Lawyer Magazine titled, “Be Prepared, Be Ready,” exploring a recent Illinois Supreme Court decision that held fitness facilities are required to take life-saving action when a patron is in apparent danger. In Dawkins v. Fitness International, LLC, 2022 IL 127561 (Il. Sup. Ct., decided May 22, 2022), a 69-year-old woman was exercising at an Oswego fitness facility when she stopped…