Robert D. Erney began his legal career in 1986 after earning his B.A. with honors from Ohio Dominican College in 1975 and his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1984. Following law school, he served for two years as a judicial law clerk for the First Appellate District of Ohio in Cincinnati before entering private legal practice.
He is admitted to practice before all state courts in Ohio, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. As the founder and senior attorney at Erney Law, his practice focuses on representing plaintiffs in personal injury, wrongful death, automobile and trucking collisions, product liability, premises liability, and civil litigation. Additionally, he maintains an active alternative dispute resolution practice, having mediated thousands of cases.
Throughout his career, Erney has maintained active leadership within professional bar organizations. He served as President of the Columbus Bar Association (2020–2021) and sat on its Board of Governors. He is a past President of the Central Ohio Association for Justice and is active with the Ohio State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Ohio Association for Justice, American Association for Justice, and National Crime Victims Bar Association. He co-founded the Columbus Bar Association's Trial Advocacy Institute and has frequently lectured and organized seminars on trial skills, negligence, and appellate advocacy. He has earned an AV Preeminent peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell and recognition as an Ohio Super Lawyer. In the broader community, he is a past President of Columbus Rotary and former President of the Parish Council at Holy Spirit Church.