A Legacy of Justice: Robert Ross Honored by Barristers' Association

PHILADELPHIA, PA – January 19, 2026 – In a ceremony honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., esteemed trial lawyer Robert Ross, a founding partner of the personal injury firm Ross Feller Casey, LLP, was recognized today with the William F. Hall Award by the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia. The prestigious honor was presented during the association's annual memorial breakfast, a cornerstone event for the city's legal community that celebrates leadership, service, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

The award, named for the respected jurist Judge William F. Hall, is one of the highest accolades bestowed by the Barristers' Association, one of the nation's oldest organizations of Black attorneys and judges. It recognizes legal professionals whose careers are distinguished by sustained ethical leadership and a profound dedication to public service—principles that have defined Ross's more than three decades in practice.

A Half-Billion-Dollar Advocate for the Injured

Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Robert Ross has built a formidable reputation as a relentless advocate for individuals and families devastated by catastrophic injury and medical negligence. His work has resulted in recoveries totaling well over half a billion dollars for clients across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, a figure that underscores his prowess in the courtroom and at the negotiating table.

This track record includes more than 30 verdicts and settlements exceeding eight figures. Among these landmark cases is a record-setting $44.1 million verdict in 2016 for a woman who suffered a severe brain injury due to negligence at a prominent Philadelphia hospital—the largest medical malpractice verdict in Pennsylvania that year. Other significant victories include a $51 million verdict for an amputation injury, a $29.6 million recovery for drowning deaths, and a $25 million verdict secured for the family of a physician who died as a result of medical negligence.

Ross’s expertise spans some of the most complex areas of personal injury law, from traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries to birth injuries and wrongful death claims. His success in securing substantial outcomes, such as an $18 million settlement for a child with birth-related neurological disabilities and a $10 million verdict for a boy who suffered brain damage from a peanut allergy, has provided his clients with the critical financial resources needed for a lifetime of care and support.

Navigating a High-Stakes Legal Landscape

The consistent success Ross has achieved is made more remarkable by the increasingly challenging landscape of medical malpractice and catastrophic injury litigation. This specialized legal field is characterized by its high stakes, emotional intensity, and formidable expense. Legal industry analysts note a continuing trend of rising claim severity, leading to larger and more frequent multi-million dollar verdicts nationwide.

Litigating these cases has become significantly more difficult and time-consuming. A key factor is the necessity of securing testimony from multiple expert witnesses, a requirement in nearly every medical malpractice case that proceeds to trial. Attorneys must navigate complex medical science, sophisticated legal arguments, and the considerable resources of large hospitals and insurance corporations.

This environment demands not only exceptional legal skill but also deep financial reserves and an unshakeable commitment to seeing a case through, often over many years. Ross's ability to consistently deliver record-breaking results in this demanding arena highlights his firm's capacity to handle the most complex and resource-intensive legal battles on behalf of those who have suffered life-altering harm.

More Than a Trial Lawyer: A Legacy of Service

While his courtroom victories are the most visible aspect of his career, the William F. Hall Award specifically recognizes a deeper contribution—one rooted in mentorship and service to the legal profession. Ross has long been celebrated for his dedication to mentoring younger attorneys, sharing the knowledge and strategic insight gained from decades on the front lines of trial law. This commitment aligns directly with the Barristers' Association's core mission of fostering professional excellence and expanding access to justice.

His influence on the profession extends beyond individual mentorship. Ross previously served as a member of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's Civil Procedural Rules Committee, a vital body that helps shape the rules of court that govern legal practice throughout the state. This role demonstrates a commitment to upholding the ethical and procedural integrity of the justice system itself.

Furthermore, his standing in the legal community is affirmed by his inclusion in some of the nation's most exclusive, invitation-only legal societies. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, which limits its membership to just one percent of the lawyers in any given state, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, an elite group of only 500 attorneys from across the country. These fellowships are a testament to a career evaluated by his peers as being of the highest caliber in both skill and ethical practice.

The Barristers' Association: A Beacon for Equity and Excellence

The organization honoring Ross, the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia, has been a powerful force for progress since its founding in 1950. As one of the country's oldest and most respected associations of Black lawyers and judges, its mission is to address the professional needs of Black legal professionals while championing fairness, inclusion, and equal access to justice for all. The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast serves as a poignant reminder of these enduring goals.

Throughout its history, the Association has been at the forefront of critical advocacy, from investigating racial discrimination in bar admission procedures to providing over $1 million in pro bono legal services to Philadelphians. By recognizing Robert Ross, the Association highlights a career that, while distinct in its focus, embodies the principles of tenacious advocacy and commitment to justice that the organization itself represents.

Ross's founding partners at Ross Feller Casey, Joel Feller and Matt Casey, echoed this sentiment. "We congratulate our law partner, Rob Ross, on this well-deserved honor," they stated. "The Barristers' Association of Philadelphia could not have made a better choice in selecting this year's honoree." The award serves not only as a capstone for a distinguished career but also as an inspiration, linking the fight for individual justice in the courtroom to the broader struggle for equity in the legal system and society at large.