Robert W. Boatman
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(602) 530-8340rwb@gknet.com

With a legal career in personal injury and wrongful death that spans over 39 years, Bob is tireless in his dedication and resolve to seek justice for each and every one of his clients. From the very first meeting with any prospective client, Bob’s easygoing manner engenders trust because he is naturally compassionate, sincere and possesses a unique ability to understand and communicate with clients from all walks of life. This same direct, common-sense approach has proven to be extremely effective in cases that are ultimately heard by juries.

Robert W. Boatman

Over the course of his career, Bob has obtained some of the largest verdicts in Arizona, including jury verdicts or awards of $17,000,000, $14,000,000, and $5,000,000. In addition, Bob has obtained significant settlements in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Bob is known by his clients and professional colleagues alike to be a man deeply connected to his clients and their causes. For Bob, client relationships don’t often end as a case concludes, especially when an outcome presents an opportunity to affect social change. For example, Bob successfully compelled two major automotive manufacturers to admit their vehicles were defective, yielding a recall to fix the defect in over 500,000 vehicles; a significant win for his client and the consumer at large.

See Bob’s profile on our personal injury website.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Product Liability
  • Co-lead counsel for In re Bard IVC multi-district litigation for thousands of consumers injured or killed by defective blood clot filters (2015-2017)
  • Co-lead counsel on $55,000,000+ claim for multiple deaths due to defective bus design. (2009-2011)
  • Designation as co-lead counsel for all Arizona plaintiffs and settlement of claims exceeding $20,000,000 in the Arizona Ford/Firestone litigation. (2001-2002)
  • $17,000,000 jury verdict against General Motors for a death caused by a defective transmission. (1999)
  • $9,900,000 for wrongful death due to vehicle defect. (2012)
  • $4,700,000 for defective fire suppression system. (2020)
  • $4,500,000 for defective seat back. (2018)
  • $4,250,000 for paralyses from tread separation and rollover. (2013)
  • $3,000,000 for paralysis from golf car rollover. (2018)
  • $2,700,000 for wrongful death due to tread separation and rollover. (2006)
  • $2,150,000 settlement for burns due to defective trailer hitch. (2006)
  • $2,050,000 for wrongful death due to tread separation and rollover. (2012)
  • $1,500,000 for wrongful death due to tread separation. (2005)
  • $1,500,000 settlement for woman injured by experimental drug. (2004)
  • $1,500,000 to the parents of an unborn baby due to food poisoning. (2000)
  • $1,215,000 settlement re vehicle defect. (2017)
  • $1,000,000 for wrongful death due to a tire issue. (2007)
  • $750,000 for defective engine shutoff. (2019)
  • $700,000 for wrongful death due to tread separation. (2009)
  • $595,000 for injuries due to faulty medical implant. (2011)
  • $499,000 for wrongful death due to fuel tank failure. (2008)
  • $400,000 for wrongful death due to tread separation. (2009)
  • Member of the team that obtained confidential settlements against Ford Motor Company for serious burn injuries that resulted from the defective design of fuel systems in police cars. (2004)
  • Confidential settlement for the family of a young man who suffocated in a sleeping bag. (2003)
Contract
  • $14,990,661.24 award for breach of contract by hospital to doctors. (2011)
  • Return of multi-million dollar medical practice. (2012)
Professional Medical Malpractice
  • $8,000,000 settlement against one of the country’s largest law firms for legal malpractice. (1998)
  • $6,000,000 for client paralyzed during elective surgery. (2023)
  • $5,000,000 jury verdict to mother for negligent death of son in rehab hospital. (2019)
  • $4,325,000 to a woman injured due to medical negligence of a hospital. (2018)
  • $1,825,000 settlement in a medical malpractice case for negligent care post-surgery resulting in vision loss in one eye. (2024)
  • $950,000 for medical malpractice of family doctor. (2020)
  • $860,000 for medical negligence during neck surgery. (2020)
  • $500,000 insurance broker malpractice. (2018)
Mental Health Malpractice
  • $8,000,000 settlement for failure to provide mental healthcare, resulting in death of two boys. (2009)
Premises Liability
  • $1,325,000 death due to an unsafe swimming pool. (2018)
  • $1,000,000 for fall in home. (2018)
  • $700,000 for child drowning. (2020)
  • $275,000 for negligence for a bike path accident. (2023)
  • $250,000 for torn Achilles tendon. (2009)
  • $150,000 for fractured hip. (2012)
  • $120,000 for trip and fall. (2008)
Utility Negligence
  • Secured over $50,000,000 for residents and ranchers in the Ventura County Thomas Fires. (2021-2022)
Governmental Misconduct
  • $4,470,000 settlement against city and state for failure to install a traffic signal. (2006)
  • Obtained $2,250,000 settlement for family of deceased 20-year-old who died while in jail for a 20-day hold in jail health care malpractice case (Section 1983). (2022)
  • $1,000,000 settlement against U.S. Forest Service for failure to post sign warning of road closure. (2011)
  • Confidential settlement with county for failure to keep horses off road. (2006)
  • Confidential multi-million-dollar settlement for the family of a woman killed by a police officer. (2003)
Murder
  • $400,000 settlement for wrongful death of wife by husband. (2005)
Motorcycle Accidents
  • $4,500,000 to a man suffering a head injury. (1997)
  • $2,500,000 for motorcycle/truck accident. (2018)
  • $1,900,000 to a man who was run over by an 18-wheeler. (2003)
  • $900,000 to a man with a broken leg. (2004)
  • $500,000 verdict for a broken back. (2019)
  • $400,000 to a man who broke his wrist. (2001)
  • $250,000 to an adolescent with a broken leg. (2007)
  • $100,000 for a knee injury. (2006)
Construction Accidents/Defects
  • $1,050,000 for the death of a trucker when a load of pipes fell on him. (2002)
  • $300,000 settlement for the death of a worker when a sign collapsed. (2003)
  • $110,000 settlement for the victim of a crane loading mishap. (2004)
Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Settlements in excess of $100,000,000 for numerous motor vehicle accidents.
  • $5,900,000 for couple injured in intersection collision. (2020)
  • $4,800,000 for pedestrian/bus accident. (2010)
  • $3,000,000 for brain injury. (2018)
  • $2,000,000 for wrongful death. (2018)
  • $2,000,000 for multiple injuries. (2019)
  • $1,400,000 for wrongful death. (2012)
  • $1,000,000 to wife for husband negligent driving. (2020)
  • $990,000 for brain injury. (2012)
  • $550,000 for multiple fractures. (2018)
  • $500,000 jury verdict for serious bodily injury. (2019)
  • $500,000 for broken leg. (2011)
  • $250,000 for post-traumatic stress syndrome. (2011)
Trucking Accidents
  • $2,525,000 for multiple fractures. (2010)
  • $2,500,000 for death in a motorcycle/truck accident. (2017)
  • $1,150,000 for truck accident and death. (2018)
  • $1,000,000 for death in a bicycle/truck accident. (2017)
Bad Faith
  • Confidential settlements with major insurers for bad faith handling of insureds’ claims.
Nursing Home Abuse
  • $1,850,000 settlement for murder of man in nursing home. (2020)
  • $1,800,000 for nursing home abuse. (2020)
  • $1,200,000 settlement for bedsores, infection and death. (2008)
  • $925,000 settlement for elder abuse. (2017)
  • $750,000 settlement for pressure sores. (2005)
  • $535,000 settlement for bed sore infection and death. (2012)
  • $375,000 for bedsore infection and death.  (2010)
Dram Shop
  • $1,000,000 for serving drunk driver. (2018)
  • $730,000 settlement for serving drunk driver. (2011)
  • $520,000 against wineries for over serving a woman leading to a fatal car accident. (2023)

ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

  • State Bar of Arizona, Member, 1984-Present
  • State Bar of California, Member, 1985-Present
  • Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 1997-Present
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2023-Present
  • International Society of Barristers, North American Fellow, 2017-Present
  • Arizona Pop Warner and Scottsdale Christian Youth Football, Coach, 1994-2011
  • McCormick Ranch Little League, Coach, 1994-2009
  • McCormick Ranch Little League, Board of Directors, 2001-2004
  • Chaparral High School Booster Club, Board of Directors, 2002-2004

HONORS & AWARDS

  • Best Lawyers in America®, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, 2006-2025; Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs, 2020-2025; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, 2021-2025; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, 2023-2024
  • Best Lawyers in America®, Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, 2025
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff, 2007-2024
  • Arizona's Finest Lawyers, 2011-Present
  • Forbes.com, Best Personal Injury, Motorcycle Accident & Wrongful Death Lawyers Phoenix, AZ, 2024
  • Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyer, Product Liability, 2023; Personal Injury, 2023-2024
  • Marquis Who's Who, "Who's Who in American Law"
  • State Champions, Arizona Pop Warner Youth Football, 2001
  • America’s Top 100 Attorneys
  • America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

News

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Publications

  • Product Liability Under California Law, Cambridge Institute, 1987

C.S review icon
C.S
Catastrophic Personal Injury Client
Robert Boatman and Shannon Clark were extremely professional, thorough, and compassionate representing us in a very sensitive personal injury claim. The availability, expertise, and diligence that they and their team represented in our case returned results that exceeded our expectations while being sensitive to our experience. We are greatly appreciative.
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Shawna Vanley
Catastrophic Personal Injury Client
Bob Boatman and Maria Raciti are representing me in a serious GSW case. I feel so relieved to have them on my side. They are super responsive and truly care about my injuries. They’re not going to take the first and easiest settlement offer; they’re fighting for just compensation. I highly recommend anyone needing an injury attorney call Bob and Maria and the G&K injury team.
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Jesus Rivera Yanez
Catastrophic Personal Injury Client
I highly recommend anyone who is looking for an auto injury attorney to lawyers of G & K. Eleanor [Shaffer], Bob [Boatman], Karen [Trumpower], and the entire team went above and beyond with my motor vehicle case, they were consistent with follow up calls, 100% on strong work, feedback, and clear guidance in my case with outstanding results. Their detailed follow ups and check-ins calls were always my piece of mind through the entire process. Thank you for your support and dedication to my case!
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Jim Hawk
We lost our home in the 2017 Thomas Fire. We were lucky to have Gallagher & Kennedy representing us against SCE. We couldn’t have had a better team of attorneys on our side. We highly recommend them.
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Corina Mari
You never want to find yourself needing an injury attorney, but if you do, having someone with experience, vast knowledge of the law, and a caring way of dealing with you, is beyond necessary! I found all of that and MORE with Maria Raciti and Matt Boatman. Dealing with Maria through this process has truly been a pleasure, and quite a relief! All I had to do was let them handle it. I always felt informed, cared about, and fought for. I can’t say enough about the level of appreciation I have for their hard work and dedication to get the absolute best result possible. And that’s exactly what they did. Thank you!
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Ronny Gorkin
A special thanks to Matt Boatman, Maria Raciti... . You did a fantastic job in resolving it in a timely manner which was very helpful and everyone involved deserves a special thanks for your support and time and effort. If I should ever need help with anything or know of anyone who is need of help, I will definitely let them know how much you all did.  Thank you to Maria for your support - your kindness is truly amazing.  A special thanks to Angel Medina for helping me through this review process.  Also, thank you to Matt and Bob Boatman who met with me the first time and a great thanks to Christine who always kept me updated throughout my case.
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Amy Beal
After I lost my son and speaking to a trusted friend, I retained Bill King at Gallagher & Kennedy. From the very first in-person meeting we had, the whole G&K team-including Bill [King], Shannon Clark, Bob Boatman and Eleanor Shaffer-provided first rate representation and worked tirelessly to pursue my case, while also keeping me informed and involved every step of the way. Not only were they great advocates but they were also truly understanding, compassionate, empathetic and caring people during this difficult time. Previously, I had no experience with personal injury lawsuits and was unsure of what to expect. I could not have been more pleased with G&K's representation, professionalism and advocacy. I would highly recommend Bill King and the entire team at G&K to anyone who needs the attention, care and legal skill they demonstrated in my case.
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Chantel Padilla
My son was struck on his motorcycle by a careless driver [and] the injuries sustained were life threatening. … From the moment we became clients with G&K, we were treated with dignity, concern and respect. My first point of contact was [intake specialist] Angel Medina, he was efficient and on point with communication and gathering everything that was needed. Robert Boatman explained in detail the entire process and answered all my questions honestly and thoroughly. Finally, Maria Raciti officially represented our case and was absolutely top notch! … I 100% recommend this firm and if you get an opportunity to retain Maria Raciti, know you will have a warrior on your side!