Robert C. Hilliard
Other names	Bob Hilliard
Education	St. Edward's University St. Mary's University School of Law
Occupation	Attorney
Years active	1983–present
Known for	Motor vehicle liability litigation
Website	https://hmglawfirm.com/

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.^[1] His father, Delmar Shelley Hilliard, was an Air Force A-1 Skyraider fighter pilot who flew 175 missions in Vietnam,^[2] 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.^[3] 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.^[4] He went on to attend St. Mary's University School of Law, in San Antonio, Texas, graduating with honors in 1983.^[5]

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.^[6] Hilliard received his certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law in 1990 and Civil Trial Law in 1992.^[7]

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.^[8]

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^[9] to begin dismantling ride after Tyre Sampson’s death. In May, 2023, the Florida Legislature passed the "Tyre Sampson Act"^[10] 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 speaks to reporters outside the Supreme Court

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.^[11] 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.^[12]

Awards

References