University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law alumnus and Regent Robert T. Eglet ’88, achieved a record-breaking $3.1 billion verdict against Real Water, Inc., a Las-Vegas based bottled water company that produced water that has been linked to liver failure and autoimmune diseases. 

The jury concluded that Real Water was liable for product defects and punitive damages. The case has brought justice to 13 victims, some who now suffer severe lifelong health complications.

The jury awarded more than $90 million in compensatory damages and $3 billion in punitive damages. Eglet, founding partner of Eglet Law, has built the leading law firm in Nevada, taking on product defect, catastrophic injury and wrongful death suits.

“This verdict affirms that corporations must be held accountable when they place profits above public safety,” Eglet said. “It is an honor to advocate for these individuals whose lives have been irreparably harmed and to ensure their suffering is not overlooked or forgotten. This verdict sends a clear message, that such reckless disregard for human health will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences.”

On April 15, Eglet will present his opening statement from the $3.1 billion Real Water Inc. trial in McGeorge’s Noel Ferris Courthouse, providing a unique opportunity for students, alumni and faculty to gain insights from Eglet’s methods.

"Eglet's achievements in the courtroom are a testament to the exceptional quality of our alumni. His dedication and his generous support for McGeorge School of Law exemplify the values we strive to instill in our students. We are incredibly proud to count him among our distinguished graduates,” said Dean Michael Hunter Schwartz.

Eglet has won more than $7 billion for his clients over his career as a trial lawyer. Eglet's legal career includes many significant victories, including more than $1.6 billion in opioid-related settlements on behalf of the state of Nevada, 1.2 billion in verdicts for the largest medically caused Hepatitis C outbreak in U.S. History and an $800 million settlement for victims of the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting. With over 200 civil jury trials to verdict and a 98% success record as a trial attorney, Eglet has now obtained the largest verdict in the country three times.

Eglet's educational background includes graduating with honors in economics from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and earning his JD from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law.

McGeorge School of Law named the Eglet Center for Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution in honor of Robert and his wife, Tracy A. Eglet, in 2021 after they made a historic $25 million gift to the law school, which received a $5 million match from Pacific's Powell Fund for a total of $30 million. 

The gift funds scholarships for first-generation students as well as the law school’s advocacy center. This gift created three new endowed faculty chairs and provides funding for coaches, competition fees and travel expenses for students who compete as members of McGeorge’s nationally-ranked mock trial and moot court teams.

“The Eglet Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution stands as a testament to the power of advocacy, resilience and the pursuit of justice. Inspired by Robert Eglet’s dedication to the legal field, we strive to embody the same excellence and tenacity in every trial we prepare for. His recent victory is not just a win in the courtroom, but a reminder of the impact that skilled advocacy can have on the lives of others,” said student Jasdeep Kaur Hothi ‘25, who serves as the vice president of the Trial Advocacy Association.

Eglet joined the University of the Pacific’s Board of Regents in 2024, a group of leaders from across industries responsible for maintaining the university’s educational quality and overseeing its finances.