Robert was selected in 2004 as one of the "five most respected and feared plaintiffs' attorneys" in the country by Corporate Legal Times, calling him the "best of the bad." The National Law Journal named Mr. Clifford's firm on the "plaintiff's Hot List: 25 Go-To Teams" in 2003. Robert was also named on of the Top Ten Litigator's in Illinois in 1993, was recognized by American Lawyer Media as one of the Top Ten Most Influential Lawyers in Illinois in 2000 and he has consistently been voted one of the "Best Lawyers in America." Robert is Past President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and a Past President of the Chicago Inns of court. He was selected to be a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates and has been inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He also serves on the Board of the Rand Institute for Civil Justice, and endowed the Chair on Tort Law and Social Policy to his alma mater, De Paul University College of Law.