For over 25 years, Robert has represented companies in high-stakes, complex business litigation, while also maintaining a broad sports law practice. Co-leader of McGuireWoods’ Financial Services Litigation Practice Group and its Sports Industry Team, he advises financial institutions in a wide range of disputes, including class actions, and represents athletes, teams and corporate sponsors in high-profile endorsements, marketing agreements, and complex contractual disputes.
Robert is widely recognized for handling “bet-the-company” matters, especially those involving reputational risk. A trusted advisor in crisis situations, he counsels clients on sensitive issues, including media strategy and public communications. He litigates defamation and product disparagement claims on the plaintiff side and successfully defends class actions, including in the data privacy space.
He is a former member of McGuireWoods’ Board of Partners and former chair of the Complex Commercial Litigation and Financial Services & Securities Enforcement Departments. He currently serves as designated counsel to NASCAR’s Drivers Advisory Council.
The Best Lawyers in America and has recognized Robert as a top lawyer for commercial litigation, and Legal 500 United States has recognized him as a leading lawyer for securities litigation defense.
Events
- Speaker, "Ethics," Current Legal Issues and Trends in Mortgage Origination and Servicing, Mortgage Servicing In-House Counsel Forum, February 4, 2016
Insights
- Author, "Avoiding Liability During Corporate Dissolution," Bloomberg Law, July 2020
- Author, Subsequent Mortgagee Excused from Face-to-Face Meeting, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, October 14, 2014
- Co-author, Appellate Practice in South Carolina, 2nd ed., South Carolina Bar Continuing Legal Education Division, 2002
- Co-author, Appellate Practice in South Carolina, 1st ed., South Carolina Bar Continuing Legal Education Division, 1999
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- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Selected for inclusion in “Legal 500 United States,” Securities Litigation: Defense, 2021; General Commercial Disputes, 2022-2024
- Named to the “Power List: Business Defense,” North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, 2023
- Selected for inclusion in America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Litigation: General Commercial, North Carolina, Chambers USA, 2012, 2013
- Named to “40 Under 40,” Charlotte Business Journal, 2009