As a civil trial and appellate lawyer with over 30 years’ experience, Rob has litigated cases involving employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, unfair competition, defamation, breach of contract, real estate, landlord-tenant, zoning, land use, eminent domain, constitutional rights, election law, campaign finance, trusts, administrative, business and commercial law.
He has achieved excellent results for his clients in jury and bench trials, motion practice, administrative hearings, arbitrations, mediations and appeals.
He practices in state of Ohio courts and in federal courts in Ohio and around the country.
Rob has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the state of Ohio and Top 50 Lawyers in Cleveland by Ohio Super Lawyers.
He is a frequent lecturer on various legal topics and his opinions are often solicited by the print and broadcast media.
Rob has deep expertise as a lawyer on matters of public concern. He has litigated notable cases on behalf of all levels of Ohio government, impacting law and policy in the process.
In addition to being an accomplished civil trial lawyer, Rob is a respected government relations advocate. He advocates on behalf of private companies, non-profit institutions and political subdivisions before all levels of Ohio government on policy, legislative, economic development, procurement and other matters of public concern.
A veteran of numerous statewide and local elections, Rob has advised and played a substantial role in multiple candidate and issue-based campaigns. He is often sought out by elected officials and government agencies to represent their interests on legal and public policy matters.
Rob is listed in Best Lawyers in the area of government relations practice, one of the few Cleveland-area lawyers so recognized. His leadership as an elected official and insights as a political and policy advocate are regularly reported on in the local media.
Representative Experience
- Won dismissal of a “bet the company” action brought by former employee who claimed right to company ownership.
- In a case of statewide and national significance, won writ of prohibition issued by Ohio Supreme Court on behalf of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge to prevent retired judges from convening private jury trials.
- Won judgment in defamation case on behalf of oil company against anti-fracking activists.
- Successfully litigated breach of fiduciary duty action on behalf of beneficiary against former trustee of trust, resulting in substantial recovery for beneficiary.
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Secured pre-class certification dismissal of putative class action asserted against national news magazine.
- Successfully defended automobile finance company against business tort action filed by automobile dealership, resulting in settlement payment from dealership to finance company on finance company’s counterclaim.
- Secured dismissal via dispositive motion of scores of actions for wrongful discharge and violation of federal and state civil rights laws, including those brought under the Ohio Civil Rights Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ADA, ADEA, FMLA and others.
- Won labor arbitration on behalf of municipal police department which terminated an officer for assaulting another officer in the police station.
- Successfully defended the legality and constitutionality of Ohio Medical Marijuana Program in multiple court actions.
- Obtained declaration of similar permitted use and conditional use permit on behalf of national transportation company for operation of regional dispatch and preventative maintenance facility.
