Robert J. Rooth is the president and founder of The Rooth Law Firm. For more than four decades, he has represented injured people and families throughout Evanston and the greater Chicago area, working directly with clients from the first phone call through the resolution of their case. Robert doesn’t hand cases off to associates or case managers. When you call The Rooth Law Firm, you’re talking to the person who will be in your corner the entire way.
Education & Early Career
Robert earned his Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University in 1981. He went on to study law at Washington University School of Law before completing his Juris Doctor at DePaul University School of Law in 1984, beginning a legal career that has now spanned more than four decades.
Training Under a Legendary Trial Lawyer
From 1982 to 1987, Robert trained under Leonard M. Ring, a nationally renowned trial lawyer known for taking on complex, high-stakes litigation on behalf of injured people. During those formative years, Robert was involved in several cases that shaped how he approaches serious injury claims today:
The Cline Avenue Bridge Collapse Litigation
In 1982, a section of highway ramp under construction in East Chicago, Indiana collapsed during a concrete pour, killing over a dozen workers and injuring many others. The resulting litigation involved detailed engineering evidence and multiple responsible parties, the kind of complex, high-casualty case that requires patience and a thorough investigation to get right.
The Achille Lauro Litigation
This case grew out of the 1985 hijacking of the cruise ship Achille Lauro, during which a wheelchair-using passenger was murdered by his captors. The resulting lawsuit against the Palestine Liberation Organization ran for over a decade and helped establish that victims of terrorism could pursue civil claims against those responsible in U.S. courts.
Richter v. Siqueira, et al.
This landmark Illinois medical malpractice case involved a woman who was left partially paralyzed following surgery at a Chicago hospital. The case resulted in a $16 million verdict and remains a significant example of how medical negligence claims are litigated in Illinois.
This early experience, working alongside one of the country’s top trial lawyers on cases of real consequence, gave Robert a foundation in complex litigation that few attorneys have the opportunity to develop.
A Career Devoted to Injured Victims
Since 1987, Robert has devoted his practice to representing injured victims and their families, with a particular focus on nursing home neglect and personal injury cases in Evanston and throughout Illinois. He has represented clients dealing with nearly every type of injury, from car and truck accidents to catastrophic injuries caused by negligence.
Robert believes that holding negligent parties accountable is about more than compensation. It’s an important check on corporations, insurers, and care facilities that might otherwise put profits ahead of people’s safety. That belief has shaped how he approaches every case: not as a file to be processed, but as a person who deserves to be heard, treated fairly, and given real answers about what happened to them.
Recognition & Professional Involvement
Robert’s work has been recognized by his peers, including selection as an Illinois Super Lawyer from 2021 to 2027, an honor given to a limited number of attorneys in the state each year.
He is also a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association of Justice and the Illinois State Bar Association. Through these organizations, Robert stays current on developments in personal injury and trial law, while also connecting with other attorneys who share his commitment to representing injured people.
Rooted in the Evanston Community
Robert lives in Evanston, Illinois with his family, and his ties to the community go well beyond his law practice. He is past president of the Chiaravalle Montessori School Board of Trustees and has been involved with the Team Evanston Soccer Club.
That local connection matters. Robert isn’t just an attorney who works in Evanston, he’s a neighbor who understands the community he represents, from the local hospitals and nursing homes to the roads his clients drive every day.
Talk to Robert About Your Case
If you or someone you love has been injured, Robert J. Rooth is ready to listen, answer your questions, and explain your options clearly. Contact The Rooth Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.
You’re hurt. I’m here.