Robert C. Hilliard (attorney)

Robert C. Hilliard (attorney)
Robert C. Hilliard is an American civil rights and personal injury attorney notable for his United States Supreme Court argument in Hernandez vs. Mesa seeking to hold a border patrol agent accountable for the cross border shooting of a Mexican national, Sergio Hernandez. He also was appointed and served as the nation's lead lawyer for personal injury victims in the General Motors ignition switch recalls litigation, one of the largest civil litigations in the country's history.
Early life
Hilliard grew up in Newton, Texas, the youngest of three children. His father, Delmar Shelley Hilliard, was an Air Force A-1 Skyraider fighter pilot who flew 175 missions in Vietnam, and later became Newton's county attorney for 25 years. His mother, Bobbye Clifton Hilliard, was an artist, newspaper reporter, homemaker, and office manager for her husband's law office.
Robert C. Hilliard attended St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, where he enrolled on a tennis scholarship, graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English literature in 1980. While at St. Edwards, Hilliard was a four-year letterman in tennis and St. Edward's Athlete of the Year for 1979–1980. In 2016, he was given St. Edward's Distinguished Alumni Award. He went on to attend St. Mary's University School of Law, in San Antonio, Texas, graduating with honors in 1983.
Career
In 1985, Hilliard founded The Law Offices of Robert C. Hilliard. It later became Hilliard Muñoz, until 2010 when Rudy Gonzales joined and the law firm became Hilliard Muñoz Gonzales, LLP, all based in Corpus Christi, Texas. Hilliard received his certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law in 1990 and Civil Trial Law in 1992.
In 2012, Hilliard and Steve Shadowen co-founded Hilliard & Shadowen, LLP, in Austin, Texas, a law firm that engages in antitrust and civil rights litigation.
In 2017, the firm Hilliard Muñoz Gonzales, LLP became Hilliard Martinez Gonzales, LLP in when founding partner Jacobo Munoz retired, and John Martinez was made managing partner. In 2020, they opened an office in Chicago, IL.
Case History
Icon Park/Tyre Sampson
On March 24, 2022, Tyre Sampson, a 14-year-old boy, fell from a ride at Icon Park amusement park in Orlando, Florida. His parents hired attorneys Ben Crump and Bob Hilliard after their son fell to his death. On February 6, 2023, Orlando FreeFall owner reaches settlement to begin dismantling ride after Tyre Sampson’s death. In May, 2023, the Florida Legislature passed the "Tyre Sampson Act" Wednesday, more than a year after the St. Louis teenager tragically fell to his death while on the Orlando FreeFall ride at ICON Park. The bill, which was proposed by Sen. Geraldine Thompson last year, adds safety standards and measures for amusement rides, particularly new rides, in Florida.
Hernández vs. Mesa
Hilliard represented the family of Sergio Hernández, an unarmed 15-year-old Mexican citizen who was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in 2010. The court found in favor of Mesa. Hernández was standing on Mexican soil when shot. The cases sparked a confrontation between former Mexican President Felipe Calderón and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Philanthropy
In May 2017, the Hilliard's donated $1 million to Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, Texas for a new, 14,000-square-foot elementary level Montessori building.
Awards
Corpus Christi Bar Association
2020 "Lawyer of the Year"
Elite Trial Lawyer of the Year - National Law Journal
2016: Awarded title in Products Liability category
2015: Awarded title in Motor Vehicles category
Texas Super Lawyers - Thomson Reuters
20-Year Award, 2003, 2004, 2006-2023
The Litigation Counsel of America
An invitation-only honorary society for trial lawyers. Membership is limited to less than one-half of one percent of U.S. lawyers.
Hilliard is one of 3,500 Fellows
Innocence Project of Minnesota
2010: Honored with first-ever “Never Forgotten” award
St. Edward’s University
2016: Distinguished Alumni Award
References
American lawyers
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
St. Mary's University School of Law alumni
St. Edward's University alumni
People from Newton, Texas