Since 1984, Clifford Law Offices has represented clients facing catastrophic injury and wrongful death in Chicago and across the United States. The firm is widely recognized for handling complex, high-stakes litigation and has built a national reputation for Righting the Heaviest Wrongs®.
Founded by Robert A. Clifford, the firm focuses on complex personal injury and wrongful death matters, including aviation litigation, medical malpractice, transportation liability, commercial litigation, and class action lawsuits. Its work requires a high level of legal precision and strategic execution in technically demanding cases.
Clifford Law Offices is recognized for its legal talent, the resources to litigate complex, high-stakes cases against powerful defendants, and a disciplined approach that combines strategic case development with effective trial advocacy. Its attorneys bring hundreds of years of combined experience to these matters, consistently delivering results grounded in precision and a fierce dedication to the individuals and families they represent. The award-winning team has recovered more than $5 billion on behalf of clients, earning national recognition in complex personal injury and wrongful death litigation.
Leaders in Aviation Litigation
Clifford Law Offices is widely recognized for its aviation litigation practice, having represented victims and families in nearly every major commercial airline disaster in the United States over the past forty years, as well as numerous private aircraft incidents. These matters involve complex investigations, multiple jurisdictions, and highly technical evidence, requiring substantial resources and skilled trial advocacy.
The firm currently represents the families of 74 victims in the federal litigation related to the 2019 crash of a Boeing 737 MAX8 in Ethiopia that resulted in 157 deaths, with Mr. Clifford serving as Lead Counsel and partner Tracy A. Brammeier serving as the court-appointed Liaison Counsel for all plaintiffs. The firm’s aviation practice group also represents families affected by the November 2025 UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, and was the first to file claims arising from the January 2025 mid-air collision over the Potomac River between an American Eagle regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that killed 67 people. These cases span multiple countries, highlighting the international scope and complexity of the aviation disasters the firm handles.
Clifford Law Offices has also handled high-profile litigation arising from incidents such as the Turkish Airlines crash at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, United Airlines Flight 585, and US Air Flight 427. Through this work, the firm has built a proven record in air disaster litigation, supported by extensive experience and technical resources, and often contributing to numerous public safety improvements, including new guidelines and regulations that hold corporations and government entities accountable for harmful conduct.
Nationally-Recognized Trial Attorneys
Through the work of its trial attorneys, Clifford Law Offices has been named one of the National Law Journal’s Top 50 “America’s Elite Trial Lawyers,” the only Chicago law firm to receive this distinction. The firm has also received top-tier rankings from Best Law Firms® in multiple practice areas, including aviation accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, and class actions. Mr. Clifford has been ranked #1 in Illinois by Super Lawyers for 13 years, more than any other attorney in the state.
Clients and peers alike recognize Clifford Law Offices for its integrity, thorough preparation, and ability to handle sensitive matters with compassion, diligence, and sound judgment. This approach, combined with a track record of strong results, reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to client advocacy in complex, high-stakes cases.
