A lot of his business defendants probably think attorney Robert Shields has exactly the right surname. A partner in the high-profile law firm of Wilson, Petty, Kosmo & Turner, Shields’ practice is product liability and warranty litigation. He defends manufacturers sued for alleged defects or breaches of warranties, specializing in the automotive industry. The firm’s clients include GM, Ford, Harley-Davidson, American Honda and Suzuki. Shields comes with a good warranty himself. He follows in the footsteps of another Wilson Petty partner, Leonid Zilberman, a 40 Under 40 selection last year.

For the last eight years, Shields, 37, has been active in the Defense Research Institute, the national organization of defense trial lawyers and corporate counsel. He’s put his University of Illinois bachelor’s degree in speech to good use in speaking before local and national groups on such topics as mediation strategies and case evaluation.

Outside the legal arena, he’s coached for Eastlake Little League, read at Porter Elementary and mentors high school students through his church group. Shields has been more than busy at home too. With superhero wife Cheryl, he is the proud papa of another firm — Hannah, Caroline and Zachariah — their 5-year-old triplets.