Robert Bernat is responsible for all of the firm’s litigation, including workers’ compensation, while also specializing in transactional and regulatory matters. He is tirelessly dedicated to the best interests of the firm’s clients and is relentless in resolving disputes for their benefit. In addition to his over 40 years of legal experience, Bob is a physician having practiced medicine at the Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Hospital in Chicago.
Bob graduated from Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Epsilon and was also awarded an English-Speaking Union Scholarship to Oxford University in Oxford, England, where he received his English law degree. Upon returning to the States, Bob attended and then received his American law degree from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts and his medical degree from The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois where he was the recipient of the Ciba-Geigy Award.
Bob is admitted to the Illinois, California, and Florida Bars. Bob is certified by the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners and the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians. He also currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of both the Harvard Club of Chicago and the Princeton Club of Chicago and was President of the Harvard Club of Chicago from 2018 to 2020.
He also served as a member of the Illinois School Security and Standards Task Force between 2015 and 2016, on which he chaired the Prevention Subcommittee. Bob was a member of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Tumor Foundation from 2002 to 2006 and was Legal Counsel on Disability Insurance to The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago Medical School, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, and Rush Medical College from 1991 to 1995.
Sidley & Austin, Chicago, IL, 1980 – 1982 (Associate Attorney)
Medical Experience
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago IL, 2017 – 2020 (Physician)
Access Community Health Network, Chicago, IL, 2010 – 2011 (Physician)
The University of Chicago Hospitals/Program B, Chicago, IL, 1998 – 2000 (Resident, Department of Medicine)
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, 1996 – 1997 (Resident – Department of Ophthalmology)
The University of Chicago Hospitals/Program B, Chicago, IL, 1995 – 1996 (Intern, Department of Medicine)
Medical-Legal Experience
American Medical Association/Physicians for Responsible Negotiation, Chicago, IL, 2000 – 2001 (Executive Director and CEO)
Licensure and Certifications
State of Illinois Permanent Medical License, 1998 – Present
California Bar, 1981 – Present
Florida Bar, 1981 – Present
Illinois Bar, 1980 – Present
Certified by the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners, 2011 – Present
Certified by the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians, 2012 – Present
Education
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
MD, 1995
Ciba-Geigy Award, 1993
Harvard Law School, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
JD, 1980
Christ Church, Oxford University, Oxford, England
MA in Law, 1981
BA in Law, 1977
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
AB in Economics, magna cum laude, 1975
Omicron Delta Epsilon, 1975
English-Speaking Union Scholar, 1975
Phi Beta Kappa
Public Interest Activities
Harvard Club of Chicago, President, 2018 – 2020; Vice President – Programs, 2016 – 2018; Vice President – Membership, 2014 – 2016; Director, 2012 – Present
Princeton Club of Chicago, Director, 2014 – Present
Chairman of Chicago Medical Society Task Force on School Security, 2022 – Present
Member of the Board of Trustees, Chicago Medical Society, 2018 – Present
Teacher on World War Two and the Holocaust at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, Illinois; Lake Forest Country Day School, Lake Forest, Illinois; The Illinois Holocaust Museum, Skokie, Illinois, 2016 – Present
Member of the Illinois School Security and Standards Task Force and Chairman of Prevention Subcommittee, 2015 – 2016
Member of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, 2002 – 2006
Legal Counsel on Disability Insurance to The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago Medical School, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School and Rush Medical College, 1991 – 1995
Lecturer on Contracts and Torts at the Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering, 1986 – 1988
Areas of Practice
Litigation
Workers' Compensation
If you are injured in a work accident, under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act you are entitled three things: payment of your medical bills, Total Temporary Disability (TTD) benefit payments while you are off work and Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) compensation for the disability you sustained. If you are totally disabled, you are entitled to Permanent Total Disability (PTD) compensation. Without experienced counsel it is unlikely for an injured employee to achieve the maximum outcome.
Occupational Disease Act Matters
Much like Workers’ Compensation, an employee who sustains an injury to his or her health as a result of exposure to some substance at work is entitled to benefits under the Illinois Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act.
Toxic Torts
A toxic tort is a particular type of personal injury action in which the plaintiff claims that exposure, whether at work or not, to a chemical, such as cancer-producing benzene, caused the plaintiff's injury or disease. These claims can be occupational or from additional sources, such as pharmaceutical drugs, other products or even home exposure.
Personal Injuries
Personal injury cases involve accidents, such as resulting from automobile or motorcycle impacts, that cause harm to a victim.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or other medical professional acts in a way inconsistent with the standard of care and thereby causes harm to the patient. These cases are also referred to as medical negligence.
Commercial Litigation
Commercial litigation arises in disputes involving business dealings and can include disputes between equity owners of an enterprise, disputes between businesses and their consumers or suppliers and disputes between businesses themselves.
Whistleblower Matters (Qui Tam)
Qui Tam cases involve an individual, usually a current or past employee, who knows of fraud or corruption against the government or a governmental entity and files an action as a whistleblower on behalf of the government. Many times the whistleblower will receive a portion of the amount awarded to the government.
Transactional & Regulatory
Buying and Selling of Businesses and Professional Practices
Transactions that include the buying or selling of whole businesses or portions thereof can prove lengthy and complex, involving significant and detailed documentation and regulatory hurdles.
Formation of Corporations and LLCs
Ensuring that your business is properly formed is prudent to protect both the business owners and the company itself now and into the future. Each business has its own needs and circumstances that will change with time. Your Articles of Incorporation or Limited Liability Company formation documents will help ensure the interests of those involved will be protected and equity ownership more easily transferable.
Regulatory Matters
Regulatory issues related to the medical arena, such as matters before the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, as well as pertaining to other areas can present a complex compliance environment.
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