Robert Haefele represents victims of terrorist attacks and human rights violations, including individual survivors and victims’ families of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He serves on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee of the 9/11 Families United to Bankrupt Terrorism action seeking to bankrupt the alleged financiers of al Qaeda terrorist activity on behalf of 6,500 victims of the 9/11 disasters. In this role, Robert presents oral arguments and handles discovery issues related to the 9/11 terrorist financing multidistrict litigation.
Robert has also conducted discovery and depositions for the aviation security liability cases related to the 9/11 aviation incidents. From 2001-2004, he provided pro bono representation for more than 30 individuals in claims with the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund. Additionally, he works with the Environmental team and is currently litigating cases involving individuals and businesses in Gulf Coast communities suffering as a result of the BP oil spill.
Prior to joining Motley Rice in 2003, Robert developed a strong co-counsel relationship with Motley Rice attorneys through complex litigation involving corporate wrongdoing, including the New Jersey tobacco lawsuits and occupational disease and injury cases. He practiced product liability, toxic and mass tort, and occupational injury law, representing individuals and union members injured by defective products or toxic substances and authored “The Hidden Truth About Asbestos Disease” in the New Jersey Law Journal (December 2002). He clerked with Judge Neil F. Deighan of the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey in 1990.
Robert is a member of the American Association for Justice, American Bar Association, New Jersey Association for Justice and Public Justice. He is a past chairman of the Product Liability and Toxic Tort Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.