Biography
Robert J. Will serves as a Practice Group Leader for the Trust & Estate Litigation practice group. He advises clients on matters related to trust and estate litigation, class action and other complex litigation, professional liability, and eminent domain.
A frequent speaker and author on topics relating to his areas of practice, Bob is committed to continuing legal education. He is also committed to the support of many civic and charitable entities in the community, and works for the betterment of the legal profession through his longstanding membership in a number of national and local bar associations, including serving as a long-time leader in the American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation. He is a fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and a Life Fellow of the American Bar Association (ABF).
Bob is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and was selected for inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® 2009-2010 and 2013-2023. He also was named "Lawyer of the Year" for Litigation - Trusts and Estates for 2023 by Best Lawyers®, and he was included in Best Lawyers' annual list for 2019-2024.
Practice Areas
- Trust & Estate Litigation
- Class Action
- Professional Liability
- Appellate Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Environmental, Chemical & Toxic Tort
- Real Estate
Education
- George Washington University School of Law (J.D., with high honors, 1987)
- Order of the Coif
- Phi Delta Phi, 1985-1987
- Saint Louis University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1984)
- Minor, Business Administration
- Phi Beta Kappa
- National Merit Scholar
Legal Background
- Law clerk and liaison with Federal Regulatory Agencies, Chemical Manufacturers Association (1985-1987)
Professional Affiliations
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Life Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Section of Litigation, American Bar Association
- Division Director (2018-present)
- Co-chair, Pretrial Practice and Discovery Committee (2015-2018), Homeless Experience Legal Protection (2014-2015), Trust and Estate Litigation Committee (2012-2014), Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use Committee (2009-2012), Website editor (2005-2009)
- Member, Missouri Bar Fiduciary Litigation Committee (2012-present)
- Illinois State Bar Association
- St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers Program
- Instructor and judge, BAMSL Annual Moot Court Competitions, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh and Eighth Circuits
- U.S. District Courts, Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri, Southern District of Illinois, Northern District of Oklahoma
- Missouri Bar
- Illinois Bar
Charitable & Civic Activities
- The Bach Society of St. Louis, Director (2024-present)
- The Sheldon Arts Foundation, Director (2009-present); Executive Committee; Programming Committee Chair
- St. Patrick Center Board of Trustees, Member (2004-2022); Chair (2013-2016)
Distinctions
- ABA Outstanding Service Award (2006-2007)
Representative Cases
- In re: Trust Under Last Will and Testament of August A. Busch, Jr., No. 1722-PR00463 (St. Louis City Circuit Court, Probate Division)
- In the Matter of the Charles H. Stix Testamentary Trust, 480 S.W.3d 373 (Mo. App. E.D. 2015)
- Palmer v. Asarco Incorporated, 510 F.Supp.2d 519, 2007 WL 2405660 (N.D. Okla. 2007)
