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New Hampshire Joins Data Protection Trend, Passes Comprehensive Data Protection Law
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Robert J. Kolansky

Of Counsel
Cleveland
T.
216.363.4575
liamE

Robert focuses his practice in the areas of white collar criminal defense, sensitive corporate investigations, regulatory compliance, and business litigation. A former federal and state prosecutor, Robert leverages his extensive government experience and relationships to the benefit of his clients.

Robert’s clients include corporations and individuals facing federal and state government investigations involving allegations of corruption, economic crimes, fraud, including securities fraud, mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and RICO. He has advised and defended healthcare providers in connection with criminal fraud investigations and regulatory compliance, including federal grand jury investigations. He regularly conducts internal investigations for companies and has assisted clients in developing corporate compliance programs.

Robert is an accomplished prosecutor with a distinguished career in both federal and state court. As an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, he investigated and prosecuted individuals and conspiracies for violations of a variety of federal laws, including domestic and international money laundering, mail fraud, wire fraud, narcotics, firearms, and RICO offenses. Robert oversaw some of the most complex investigations handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office during his tenure, including 18 federal Title III wiretap investigations, leading to the dismantlement of complex domestic and international criminal organizations. Robert successfully tried 11 federal jury trials, each resulting in a favorable verdict for the United States. In 2021, he was honored as the Assistant United States Attorney of the Year for the Northern District of Ohio, reflecting his dedication and excellence in the field.

Prior to his work as a federal prosecutor, Robert represented the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Assistant District Attorney in Montgomery County for more than five years, where he tried numerous complex criminal cases to verdict. Robert also has significant appellate experience, having prepared successful briefs before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Pennsylvania Superior Court.

Representative Experience

  • Represented a professional basketball player accused of conspiracy and wire fraud for allegedly attempting to avoid paying child support and taxes for several years. The government claimed that the pro athlete "unlawfully, voluntarily, intentionally and knowingly" conspired to defraud the U.S. by falsely underreporting his income and sought prison time for the athlete. Benesch defended the athlete, securing a probationary period and avoiding prison time for the client.
  • Litigation
  • White Collar, Government Investigations & Regulatory Compliance
  • Villanova University School of Law, 2013, Juris Doctor
    • Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal
    • Special Projects Editor, 2012 – 2013; Staff Writer, 2011 – 2012
    • Can We Really Ascribe a Dollar Amount to Interpersonal Communication? How Phonedog v. Kravitz May Decide Who Owns a Twitter Account, published Fall 2012
  • Bucknell University, 2010, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Minor in Religion
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • Assistant United States Attorney of the Year – United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, 2021
  • Commendation, “Operation EverStart” – Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele, 2018
  • Recognition for Dedication to Duty and Service to the Citizens of Montgomery County – Montgomery County Detective Bureau’s Violent Crime Unit, 2018
  • Commendation – Towamencin Township Police Chief Timothy Dickinson, 2017
  • Outstanding Prosecutor Award – Pennsylvania Narcotics Officers’ Association, 2016
  • Member, Federal Bar Association, Northern District of Ohio Chapter
  • Member, Bluecoats, Inc. 
  • Board Member, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute
Articles and Presentations
May 16, 2025
Compliance and Self-Disclosure of Misconduct Must be Top Priorities for Corporate Organizations, According to New Guidance from the Department of Justice
April 11, 2025
University of Oregon Title IX Suit Presses Forward…Women Athletes Successfully Argue for Case to Continue Amid Photo Comparisons to Football Team
April 8, 2025
Supreme Court Extends RICO to Personal Injury Claims

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News
March 31, 2025
Benesch’s White Collar Team Achieves Full Dismissal in $25M Federal RICO Lawsuit
June 17, 2024
Robert J. Kolansky mentioned in Crain's Cleveland People on the Move
May 31, 2024
Benesch Adds Of Counsel to Litigation Team in Cleveland
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