EDUCATION
• J.D., University of Arizona, 1978
• B.S., magna cum laude, Northern Arizona University, 1974

BAR ADMISSIONS
• Arizona, 1978
• New Mexico, 1978
• U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1979
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• Defense Research Institute

PRACTICE AREAS
• Personal Injury and Products Liability
• Insurance Law
• Appellate Practice
• Airports and Aviation
• Commercial Litigation

E-MAIL
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ATTORNEY BIOGRAPHY
An AV rated trial lawyer, Robert Greer is certified by the State Bar of Arizona as a specialist in wrongful death and personal injury litigation and has been since 1988. He is a founding partner of Baird Williams & Greer, LLP. Before that, he was a partner for nine years with a national law firm specializing in aviation litigation. Earlier in his career, he worked for a major property and casualty insurer as litigation counsel and managing attorney. He is a fourth generation lawyer in Arizona.

Mr. Greer has been lead counsel in more than 80 jury trials and litigation in areas of personal injuries, insurance coverage and bad faith, aircraft design and maintenance, pilot error, claims against governments, consumer product design, highway design, professional liability, bus and rental vehicle accidents, and dram shop litigation.

For example, jury trials in 2004 include a $4.5 million verdict against one of the world's largest insurance companies for breach of contract and bad faith, a $250,000 judgment against the State of Arizona for illegal search and seizure, a wrongful death claim tried in rural Arizona, and an injury claim arising from an automobile accident tried in Phoenix.

Aviation jury trials include:

The defense of a wrongful death/severe injury case tried in Gila County Arizona, involving the fiery crash of a helicopter near Coolidge Dam. There were complex legal issues involving the loaned servant doctrine, the standard of care of a professional pilot, and the liability of the United States, a non-party. There was a plaintiffs' verdict for $2 million, later negotiated to a settlement in lieu of appeal.

The defense of a products liability case in federal district court in Arizona against the manufacturer arising from the crash of a helicopter in Kentucky as a result of fuel starvation. There were allegations of fuel gauge defect. Judge granted judgment n.o.v. for the defendant, after $1.7 million verdict.

In federal district court in Utah, the defense of an overhaul facility for turbine engines which allegedly missed cracks in the turbine engine of a Bell 216 helicopter during fluorescent penetrant inspection 1370 hours before the crash. The manufacturer was also named for product defect. Jury found comparative fault and awarded damages in a sum less than that offered.

The defense of a wrongful death claim in Tucson as the result of the crash of a medical helicopter in bad weather in eastern Arizona. Our clients offered $1.2 million against a $3.7 million demand. The jury verdict was for $925,000.

The defense of claims arising from the crash of a tour plane at Grand Canyon Airport. Seven passengers were severely injured. We defended the pilot. The maintenance company was also sued for engine failure. The jury apportioned fault 79% maintenance, 30% pilot and awarded $9.3 million. We settled for $500,000 before the jury came back with verdict.

In California, the defense of an airline from a claim arising from a loose bag falling on the plaintiff's previously injured neck when the flight attendant opened an overhead bin. The Client settled for $400,000 after the jury found for the plaintiff on liability during bifurcated trial. That settlement was recouped in action against U.S. government, whose employee loaded the bag.

Mr. Greer has extensive experience in appeals. Reported decisions include State Farm Insurance v Premier Manufactured Systems, 217 Ariz. 222, 172 P.3d 410 (2007) (applying comparative fault principles in products liability actions), Adiutori v. Sky Harbor Intl. Airport, 880 F. Supp. 696 (D.Ariz. 1995) aff'd in table form, 103 F.3d 107 (9th Cir. 1996) (Americans with Disabilities Act as applied to airport transportation system); Law v. Superior Court of Arizona, 157 Ariz. 147, 755 P.2.d 1135 (1988) (adopting seat belt defense in Arizona); Broadbent. v. Broadbent, 184 Ariz. 74; 907 P.2d 43 (1995) (abolishing parental immunity in Arizona), Garcia v. General Motors, 195 Ariz. 510, 990 P.2d 1069 (App. 1999) (seat belt defense in conflicts between state laws).

Mr. Greer has been married for over 33 years, with three children and three grandchildren and is actively involved in his church in teaching and leadership responsibilities.  As a young man, he was a missionary in Hong Kong and speaks Chinese (Cantonese dialect).