Taft partner Rob Bilott has been selected to receive the 2020 Distinguished Attorney Award by the Kentucky Bar Association’s (KBA) Board of Governors. The award is typically presented at the annual banquet held during the association’s annual convention. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the convention has been cancelled and the KBA will reschedule for the formal presentation.

The Distinguished Lawyer Award is presented to any lawyer who has distinguished himself or herself through a contribution of outstanding service to the legal profession. The selection process places special emphasis upon community, civic, and/or charitable service, which brings honor to the profession. 

KBA President J. Stephen Smith remarked, “Everyone loves the underdog, and we typically cheer heroes in sports and action movies because things happen fast and with a bang. The law unfolds slowly, and it takes the absolute best of lawyers to stay with a matter for 20 or more years, with the worst odds and versus a colossal foe. Rob Bilott is a lawyer’s hero, who took huge risks and sacrificed, stood for what he believed, fought, and ultimately won a victory for literally All-Of-Us. Rob should receive this award from all 50 states.” To learn more about Bilott’s recognition, read the Cincinnati Business Courier article here (subscription required).

Dubbed by The New York Times Magazine as “The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare” in an article published on Jan. 6, 2016. Bilott serves as co-lead counsel for the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee (PSC) in Multi-District Litigation (MDL) against DuPont involving PFOA personal injury claims. He also serves as advisory counsel to the PSC in the MDL involving PFAS in firefighting foam. Bilott is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer’s Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont,” and his story is the basis for the recent movie, “Dark Waters” in which Rob is portrayed by Mark Ruffalo.

Bilott is a member of Taft’s Environmental, Litigation and Product Liability, and Personal Injury practices. He represents a diverse range of clients on a wide variety of matters involving federal, state and local environmental laws and related litigation.