Robert W. Phillips

Robert Phillips leads the firm’s asbestos practice relating to compensation from bankrupt companies and settlement trust funds.  Robert is one of a small group of attorneys nationwide specializing in the intersection between personal injury mass tort law and federal bankruptcy law, and is one of the only attorneys in the country to do so from the victims’ perspective as opposed to representing companies or insurers against asbestos victims.  This knowledge and experience is a great asset to firm clients not available at most other law firms.

Prior to joining the Simmons Firm, Robert worked at a large national law firm in its commercial litigation and bankruptcy practices.  He worked on complex commercial and bankruptcy matters, both transactional and litigation, and has extensive “creditors’ rights” experience litigating claims for fraudulent transfers, bankruptcy preferences, and the collection of debts and liquidation of assets. 

Robert supervises the process of filing claims with asbestos bankruptcy settlement trusts, recovering almost $1 billion in individual claims for the benefit of asbestos victims.  In addition, he serves on several court-appointed committees representing asbestos victims in pending bankruptcy cases, and also on trust advisory committees for asbestos settlement trusts created in past bankruptcy cases. 

Over the last several years, because of his unique experience, Robert has been hired by other law firms representing asbestos victims to protect the interests of their clients in bankruptcy matters.  In bankruptcy cases such as W.R. Grace & Company, Federal-Mogul Corporation, Specialty Products Holding Corporation (Bondex), and General Motors, Robert represented literally dozens of law firms in opposing these bankrupt companies and their insurers regarding attempts to deny claims using tricks of bankruptcy procedure.  Robert also speaks quite frequently at professional conferences both nationally and internationally on asbestos compensation issues relating to bankruptcy and use of settlement trust funds. 

Set up a free case consultation with an experienced asbestos lawyer today. 

^{* Please note that recovery results vary per client. The recovery amounts in each case reflect the specific facts of that case. Further, recovery amounts in past cases are not a guarantee of future results.} 

News & Publications

Classes/Seminars Taught:

“The Next Chapter of Asbestos Bankruptcy: New Filings, Confirmations, and Estimations,” Asbestos Litigation Conference: A National Overview and Outlook, Perrin Legal Conference, San Francisco, California, September 19, 2011

 “The Intersection Between 524g Trusts and the Tort System,” Asbestos Bankruptcy Current Trends & Future Outlook, HB Litigation Conference, New York, New York, October 6, 2010

“Asbestos Bankruptcies: New Filings, Dismissals, and Confirmations,” Perrin Asbestos Litigation Conference, San Francisco, California, September 15, 2010

Perrin Asbestos Litigation Conference: Cutting-Edge Issues in Asbestos Litigation, Beverly Hills, California, February 25, 2010

"A National Update On Current Cases & Trends That Are Driving Asbestos Bankruptcy Litigation," Perrin Legal Teleconference, December 2, 2009

"Asbestos Bankruptcies: New Filings, Dismissals and Confirmations," Perrin Asbestos Litigation Conference, San Francisco, California, September 14-16, 2009

“Bankruptcy and Asbestos” in Asbestos: Current Issues and Effective Litigation Tactics, National Business Institute Seminar, St. Louis, Missouri, April 7, 2009

“Multinational Litigation—How are Corporations Managing Asbestos Liability Abroad?” Global Litigation Update, Mealey’s 3^rd Annual International Asbestos Conference, London, United Kingdom, October 17, 2007

 “The Intersection Between Traditional Litigation and the New Bankruptcy Trusts,” Mealey’s Asbestos Bankruptcy Conference, Chicago, Illinois, June 7, 2007

"Bleeding Over Into Bankruptcy Litigation -The Next Chapter of Alleged Fraud in the System," Mealey's Silica & Asbestos Claims Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 9, 2006

"Victims, Companies & Insurers: What Does the Future Hold?" Mealey's International Asbestos Conference, London, United Kingdom, November 2, 2006

"Bolt-on Bankruptcies: The Case for Not Extending the 524(g) Injunction," Mealey's Asbestos Bankruptcy Conference, Chicago, Illinois, June 8, 2006

"The United States Greets Chapter 15" in Developments in Cross-Border Insolvencies: The Changing Landscape of U.S. and Foreign Law, American Bar Association, International Section Spring Meeting, New York, New York, May 6, 2006

"Attorney Responsibilities Under the New Act" in "Hidden Bankruptcy Traps: What Personal Injury Lawyers Need to Know," Association of Trial Lawyers of America Teleseminar, October 18, 2005

"A Survey of Recent Cases Decided Under Revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code," Missouri Bar Association, Commercial Law Committee Spring Meeting, Jefferson City, Missouri, May 7, 2004

"Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Law and Procedure in Missouri," National Business Institute Seminar, St. Louis, Missouri, May 3, 2004

"Revised UCC Article 9 Secured Transactions: What Missouri Practitioners Need to Know," National Business Institute Seminar, St. Louis, Missouri, August 25, 2003

Guest Editor:

Reviewing Editor, Bankruptcy Practice, MoBar CLE (2^nd edition, 2006)

Reviewing Editor, Missouri Secured Transactions, MoBar CLE (2005)

Articles:

Bankruptcy Practice, MoBar CLE Deskbook, 2nd edition (Reviewing Editor), 2007

Missouri Secured Transactions, MoBar CLE Deskbook (Reviewing Editor), 2005

“Cass County Music Co. v. C.H.L.R., Inc.: Law, Equity, and the Right to Jury Trial in Copyright Infringement Suits Seeking Statutory Damages,” 51 Ark. L. Rev. 117 (1998)

Professional & Community Affiliations

• American Association for Justice
• American Bankruptcy Institute
• American Bar Association
• Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
• Missouri Bar Association
• International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Proffesionals (INSOL)
• Member, Trust Advisory Committee, ASARCO Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust