Robert Bilott Net Worth: A Lawyer Known for His Extraordinary Efforts and Victorious Winnings

Every field of work has some outstanding performers who set an example that inspires millions. Law is one such field that has given the world some of the finest personalities, but a few use this profession as whistleblowers and set things right. Robert Billot, a name you must have been familiar with because of his achievements that put him at the top.

He has been in the profession for 35 years now and has worked as an advocate, author, and litigator. However, the world recognizes him and is indebted to him for uncovering the worldwide impact of contamination by the “forever chemicals,” polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and their impact on humans and animals. He achieved a glorious victory after representing 70,000 people living in Parkersburg. Let’s explore more about this visionary figure, his achievements, and his wealth.

Early Life

Robert Bilott was born on 2nd August 1965 in Albany, New York, USA, to parents who moved frequently from one place to another. His father, Raymond L. Bilot, served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, whereas her mother, Emily L. Bilot, was a teacher. After moving several cities and states, the family finally settled in Fairborn, Ohio, near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and his father retired from there. Robert is believed to have one sister named Bethany A. Billot.

Robert went to Fairborn High School and graduated from there in 1983 and was enrolled in New College of Florida, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1987. He later got his Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree from Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1990.

Evolution of Career

Soon after getting his Juris Doctor degree in 1990, he joined the Cincinnati Firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP the same year and initially focused on defending corporate clients, precisely chemical companies and expanded his area of work in environmental compliance, hazardous waste, and Superfund-Type issues.

In 1998, he was already a partner at the firm by that time, Wilbur Tennant, a farmer in Parkersburg, West Virginia, contacted him because of his cattle dying in great numbers. The single call gave a new way to Robert, and he filed a lawsuit against DuPont over the alleged contamination by PFOA from his work plants. Robert spent the next few years digging into the documents, evidence, and regulatory history that prove that DuPont was very much aware of the toxic effects of PFOA that had been discharging for decades and poisoning the drinking water.

He represented about 70,000 residents of Parkersburg, West Virginia, and in 2005, Robert settled those complainants for over $300 million dollars. A part of the settlement amount also funded the scientific panel linked with PFOA and its exposure to diseases like thyroid, cancer, and more.

Robert gained worldwide attention in 2016 when he was featured in an article “The Lawyer Who Beame DuPont’s Worst Nightmare,” published by The New York Times Magazine. In 2017, he won the “Right Livelihood Award” for decades of work and his efforts to expose the chemical contamination. In 2018, Robert further expanded his legal practice and started filing cases that needed nationwide class action treatment. He was even appointed “Advisory Counsel” for Plaintiff’s Executive Committee in Multidistrict Litigation.

In 2019, he published his memoir “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer’s Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont.” The same year, “Dark Waters,” a feature film, was released, starring Mark Ruffalo, who portrayed him. From 2020, he continued putting focus on similar cases and actively participated in regulatory and policy advocacy. For the 2021-2022 session, he was appointed as a lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health. In recent years, he is involved in PFAS regulatory development and advising on the policy while continuing his career as a litigator.

Shot to Fame

Though he was actively involved in fighting against DuPont and the release of toxic PFOA from his work plants for years, his true fame came when an article about him was published in The New York Times Magazine, The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare.”

Relationships

Robert Bilott is married to Sarah Barlage Bilotta, and the couple has three kids. Not much information about his wife and kids is available since he likes to keep his personal life private.

Major Sources of Income and Net Worth

The estimated net worth of Robert Bilott is from $10 million to $15 million dollars which he earned by his active career as a high-profile litigator and a partner at Cincinnati Firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. He also earns royalties from his books and by speaking at events.