Education
- JD, with honors, University of Florida College of Law
- BA, The Ohio State University
Areas of Interest
Civil Procedure; Evidence; Torts; Trial Advocacy
Biography
Robert Bonner joined the Barry University School of Law as an Assistant Professor in 2022. Since Joining Barry, Professor Bonner has taught Civil Procedure, Florida Civil Practice, Motions and Depositions, and Products Liability.
Professor Bonner also serves as the Faculty Director of the Barry University School of Law Externship Program, which provides placement for upper-level students in government, non-profit and public sector law offices. While in those placements, students participate in activities providing substantial lawyering experience similar to the experiences of an attorney advising or representing a client, or engaging in other professional tasks, while under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
Prior to joining Barry, Professor Bonner was a civil trial lawyer in private practice for over 40 years. During his career as a trial lawyer, Professor Bonner successfully represented local governments, law enforcement agencies, individual law enforcement officers and elected officials in a variety of civil matters in both state and federal courts.
Before his retirement, Professor Bonner was admitted to the United States Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and the Florida Bar.
Professor Bonner was Board Certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education from 1989 until his retirement in 2022. Professor Bonner was also Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy from 2017 until his retirement in 2022.
Professor Bonner was a member of American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the Florida Defense Lawyers Association (President 2016-2017; President-Elect 2015-2016; Secretary-Treasurer 2014-2015; Board of Directors 2008-2012), the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), the Defense Research Institute (DRI), the Florida Association of Police Attorneys and the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association.
After 41 years as a trial lawyer, Professor Bonner retired from the practice of law on July 1, 2022 to accept a position as an assistant professor at Barry University School of Law.
Professor Bonner is a frequent lecturer on a variety of legal topics, including civil procedure, evidence, ethics and federal practice.