Attorney, licensed in Michigan
Bob Schlacks joined Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers in 2022. Bob graduated, cum laude, from Eastern Illinois University, with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and a minor in pre-law studies. From there he went on to The John Marshall Law School in Chicago (now the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law) where he earned his Juris Doctor. Though Bob had originally planned to focus on economics, he pivoted to studying law after joining the undergraduate mock trial team. The combination of studying law, interpreting it, applying it to factual situations, and presenting and arguing a case gripped him and redirected the focus of his studies, and ultimately his career.
After law school, Bob focused his efforts on helping people navigate the complicated processes that come after suffering an injury at the hands of another. He represented individuals injured in automobile collisions, dog bites, and premises liability actions. He worked closely with his clients, their healthcare providers, billers, health insurance companies, and liability insurers to resolve claims, and took cases to trial when appropriate. Notably, he secured a jury verdict on a disputed liability case after his client, a bicyclist, was hit by a car turning right on a red light. The verdict was over two times more than the last settlement offer.
While Bob was building his career, he was building a family as well. After welcoming their first two children, Bob and his wife decided to relocate from Chicago to southwest Michigan. This is where they first met and where Bob was born and spent his summers. He challenged himself by switching from civil to criminal litigation, joining the Berrien County Public Defender Office in 2019. In the three and a half years he practiced criminal defense, he honed his litigation skills representing over 600 clients charged with misdemeanor and felony violations. He successfully defended multiple clients securing not guilty verdict at trial.
With the addition of two more children born after coming home to Michigan, Bob decided to return to his civil litigation roots. He wanted to provide more individualized attention to his clients and make himself more available for his family. Joining Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers provided an ideal opportunity for Bob’s growth both personally and professionally; indeed, Bob is thrilled to be part of a team that works to support people, their families, and their dignity during difficult times in their lives.