Robert J. Cheris is an accomplished trial lawyer who concentrates his practice in medical malpractice and catastrophic injury litigation. He has litigated high-stakes medical malpractice cases worth millions of dollars throughout Illinois and has successfully prepared, tried, and resolved numerous complex matters on behalf of injured individuals and their families. Over the past 24 months alone, Robert has recovered nearly $15 million for his clients, reflecting his commitment to obtaining justice in some of the most challenging and fiercely contested cases. Whether advocating in the courtroom or negotiating with insurance companies and defense counsel, he is known for his skilled preparation, strategic and creative thinking, and unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for his clients.
Before transitioning to the Plaintiffs’ bar, Robert spent more than a decade exclusively defending physicians, nurses, hospitals, and some of Chicago’s most prestigious healthcare systems in complex, high-exposure medical malpractice litigation. This focused and unique background provides him with invaluable insight into how healthcare providers, insurance carriers, and medical malpractice defense attorneys evaluate and defend medical malpractice claims. Having spent years on the other side of the courtroom, Robert understands the strategies, tactics, case valuations, and decision-making processes employed by the defense bar, giving his clients a significant advantage when pursuing their claims.
In addition to his extensive medical malpractice litigation experience, Robert started his career serving as in-house counsel for one of Chicago’s leading academic medical centers, where he worked closely with physicians, administrators, and healthcare professionals on complex medical, regulatory, and hospital-related matters. This unique perspective provides Robert with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by healthcare providers and the complex systems in which they practice.
What truly distinguishes Robert, however, is his ability to connect with clients during some of the most difficult periods of their lives. Medical malpractice cases often involve highly complex medical issues, sophisticated expert testimony, and significant emotional and financial consequences. Robert takes pride in making these complicated issues understandable, ensuring that his clients are informed and empowered throughout the challenging litigation process. He believes that effective representation requires not only exceptional legal advocacy, but also clear communication, accessibility, and trust. Clients appreciate his ability to explain the complex nuances of high-stakes medical malpractice litigation in straightforward terms while providing honest and transparent guidance every step of the way. As a result, Robert often develops lasting relationships with his clients that extend well beyond the conclusion of their cases, reflecting the trust and personal connection he builds throughout the course of the representation.
Robert’s extensive experience on both sides of the medical malpractice bar allows him to distinguish between known risks, unavoidable complications, and situations involving a true departure from accepted standards of care. Throughout his career, Robert has litigated claims involving virtually every type of healthcare provider, including neurologists, emergency medicine physicians, obstetricians and gynecologists, radiologists, critical care physicians, neurosurgeons, gastroenterologists, vascular surgeons, urologists, pathologists, orthopedic surgeons, pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, nephrologists, infectious disease specialists, hospitalists, psychiatrists, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, and numerous other healthcare professionals and specialists.
Robert’s broad medical malpractice experience includes cases involving stroke diagnosis and treatment, amputations, gynecological mesh procedures, infections, medication errors, airway management failures, monitoring failures, orthopedic surgeries, medical devices, laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures, delayed diagnoses, fetal demise, uterine rupture, preeclampsia, breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, bladder cancer, and a wide range of other catastrophic medical injuries.
Although Robert’s primary focus is medical malpractice litigation, he also represents clients in other serious personal injury cases. His extensive medical malpractice experience provides a deep understanding of complex injuries, long-term medical needs, and the damages suffered by individuals and families affected by negligence.
Robert graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. While at Loyola, he earned a Certificate in Trial Advocacy from the school’s nationally respected trial advocacy program, received the CALI Award for earning the highest grade in Contracts, appeared on the Dean’s List, and served as a legal advisor to nonprofit organizations through the Loyola University Chicago School of Law Business Law Clinic. He has also guest lectured on patient care liability in the Master of Healthcare Administration program at the University of Illinois Chicago.
A Chicago-area native, Robert is licensed to practice law in Illinois and is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and the Chicago Bar Association. He has been recognized as a Leading Lawyers® attorney in the area of Professional Malpractice since 2023. He resides in the northern suburbs with his wife and two sons and is an avid supporter of the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox.
