Bob focuses his practice on mass tort, product liability and complex commercial litigation. He handles high exposure cases and jury trials in state and federal courts around the country.
He recently obtained the largest reported settlement in Virginia — $ 18.8 Million dollars — for The Brink’s Company in an insurance coverage matter against the London markets. The case was pending in the Eastern District of Virginia. His trial experience includes first chair roles in product liability wrongful death cases for a major automobile manufacturer. He was trial counsel in a multi-million dollar Lanham Act and defamation jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The case resulted in the largest verdict in Virginia for that year. Less than a year earlier, he tried a multi-million dollar tort case to a defense verdict also in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Additionally, Bob has tried CERCLA and mold toxicity cases to verdict in Virginia. He was trial counsel in a case selected by the National Law Journal as one of the “Top Ten Defense Verdicts of 2002,” and has served as counsel in numerous other jury trials around the nation. Bob defends mass and class action defendants and has served as part of the national defense team for a consumer products retailer involved in formaldehyde-related class action litigation and a defendant in mass litigation involving tainted steroid injections. In addition, Bob maintains an active appellate practice. He has appeared as lead appellate counsel six times in the Supreme Court of Virginia and has argued in the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He has filed amicus curiae briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court on matters related to patent interpretation
Bob also maintains an active pro bono practice. In 2005, Bob founded a pro bono clinic in conjunction with the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to serve the needs of Hispanic immigrants. The Virginia State Bar and the City of Richmond Bar Association have recognized Bob’s work with their highest pro bono awards.
Prior to entering private practice, Bob was a prosecutor for the U.S. Army in the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
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Georgetown University Law CenterJD
cum laude, Associate Editor, Georgetown Law Journal
1986 -
University of VirginiaBA
with High Honors, Phi Beta Kappa
1983
Member, United States Supreme Court Historical Society, December 2021 to present
Member, Virginia Law Foundation, Law Fellows Committee, 2019 to present
Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Saint Anselm Society, Charlottesville Virginia, September 2009 to present
Board of Directors, Richmond Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, August 2014 to January 2021
Board of Directors, Sacred Heart Center, Richmond Virginia, January 2014 to January 2020
Chair, 2018 Mid-Year Meeting CLE Committee, International Association of Defense Counsel, July 2017 to March 2018
Past Chair, Social Justice and Pro Bono Committee, International Association of Defense Counsel, August 2015 to July 2017
Past President, John Marshall American Inns of Court
Past Chair, International Association of Defense Counsel, Toxic and Hazardous Substances Committee.
Board of Directors, Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Member, Defense Research Institute
Member, Richmond Bar Association
- Faculty, 50th Annual International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy, Stanford University Law School, Palo Alto, California, August 1-9, 2024
- Speaker, "Advanced Topics in Federal Written and Oral Discovery," Federal Bar Association, October 20, 2023
- Speaker, "Diversity and Inclusion and Veterans In the Law," International Association of Defense Counsel Mid-Year Meeting, Austin Fairmont, Austin Texas, February 21, 2023
- Speaker, "Advanced Topics in Federal Written and Oral Discovery," Federal Bar Association, December 19, 2022
- Speaker, "Advanced Topics in Federal and Virginia Written and Oral Discovery," John Marshall American Inns of Court, Richmond, Virginia, March 8, 2022 and April 12, 2022
- Speaker, "Immigration Basics," Dominion Energy, McGuireWoods LLP and VCU Health Systems Medical-Legal Partnership, Richmond, Virginia, March 2, 2022
- Speaker, "Advanced Topics in Civil Written and Oral Discovery," International Association of Defense Counsel, Mid-Year Meeting, Scottsdale, Arizona, February 20, 2022
- Speaker, "Oral and Written Discovery: Recurring Deficiencies," Strattford Live CLE Webinars, December 16, 2021
- Speaker, "Litigation in the Post-Pandemic World," International Association of Defense Counsel Corporate Counsel College, April 15, 2021
- Speaker, "Professionalism and the Relationship between Lawyer and Client," Virginia State Bar Professionalism Program, University of Virginia School of Law, April 1, 2021
- Speaker, "Answering the Call: Responding to Increased Demands for Pro Bono Services to Address Crises," IADC Mid-Year Meeting, February 16, 2021
- Speaker, "Professionalism and the Relationship between Lawyer and Client," Virginia State Bar Professionalism Program, University of Richmond, January 21, 2021
- Speaker, "Update on Immigration Law for Pro Bono Practitioners," International Association of Defense Counsel Webinar, December 2, 2020
- Speaker, "Best Practices in Civil Discovery in Virginia State and Federal Courts," Virginia CLE, July 7, 2020
- Panel Moderator, "IADC Talks Pro Bono," International Association of Defense Counsel Annual Meeting, July 9, 2019
- Speaker, "Professionalism and the Relationship between Lawyer and Client," Virginia State Bar Professionalism Program, University of Richmond, University of Richmond, January 23, 2019
- Speaker, "Professionalism and the Relationship between Lawyer and Client," Virginia State Bar Professionalism Program, University of Richmond, University of Richmond, February 16, 2018
- Speaker, "The Judicial and Legal Response to Human Trafficking," International Association of Defense Counsel, Mid-Year Meeting, with the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, Palm Springs, California, February 13, 2018
- Speaker, "Asbestos Trials to Verdict, A Symposium," Defense Research Institute, Asbestos Litigation Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, November 1, 2017
- Speaker, "Introduction to Immigration Law for Pro Bono Attorneys," Greater Richmond Bar Foundation “Pro Bono Triage”, Richmond, Virginia, October 25, 2017
- Speaker, "Defending Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Claims Alleging That Talc Contains Asbestos: A Primer," International Association of Defense Counsel, Webinar, May 10, 2017
- Speaker, "Advanced Topics in Handling Mass Torts: Perfecting Your Proceeding. Part II," National Judicial College, Webinar, May 10, 2017
- Speaker, "Advanced Topics in Handling Mass Torts: Perfecting Your Proceeding. Part I," National Judicial College, Webinar, May 3, 2017
- Speaker, "Representing the Juvenile in Immigration Court," International Association of Defense Counsel, Mid-year Meeting, Scottsdale Arizona, February 21, 2017
- Speaker, Representing Refugees in Immigration Court, Webinar, March 16, 2016
- Speaker, A Primer: Representing Refugees in Immigration Court, International Association of Defense Counsel, Annual Meeting, February 23, 2016
- Speaker, IADC Talks: Social Justice, International Association of Defense Counsel, Annual Meeting, February 22, 2016
- Speaker, "Answering the Call: Responding to Increased Demands for Pro Bono Services to Address Crises," IADC Mid-Year Meeting, February 2016
- Speaker, Virginia State Bar Mandatory Professionalism Course, University of Richmond, January 29, 2016
- Speaker, Revised Federal Rule 26(b)(1) and “Lone Pine” Orders, IADC Annual Meeting, July 9, 2015
- Speaker, "Lone Pine Orders and Proposed Revisions to Rule 26(b)(1)," IADC Webinar, May 20, 2015
- Speaker, NBI Seminars, NBI Seminars, April 1, 2015
- Speaker, "The Lawyers Obligation to the Profession and the Community," Virginia State Bar Professionalism Course, December 4, 2014
- Speaker, "'Lone Pine' Orders and Proposed New Rule 26," International Association of Defense Counsel Regional Meeting, December 3, 2014
- Speaker, "Establishing a Pro Bono Clinic," Prince William Bar Association, November 7, 2014
- Speaker, "The Lawyers Obligation to the Profession and the Community," Virginia State Bar Professionalism Course, December 5, 2013
- Speaker, Toxic Tort Issues Related to Spray Polyurethane, International Association of Defense Counsel Webinar, November 26, 2013
- Speaker, "The Marketplace of Ideas: The Richmond Pro Bono Immigration Clinic," Pro Bono Initiative Annual Meeting, March 15, 2013
- Speaker, "New Federal Court Jurisdiction, Venue and Pleading Rules," NBI Live Teleconference, August 7, 2012
- Speaker, "Strengthening the Relationship between National Coordinating Counsel, Local Counsel and Insurers in Asbestos Litigation," International Association of Defense Counsel Annual Meeting, July 10, 2012
- Speaker, "The Linear, No-Threshold Causation Theory in Asbestos Litigation; A Panel Discussion," International Association of Defense Counsel Mid-Year Meeting, February 14, 2012
- Speaker, "Are We There Yet? Fractional Anisotropy Maps in Brain Injury Cases," VADA Annual Meeting, October 27, 2011
- Speaker, "Preparing Your Case for Trial in Federal Court," NBI Seminars Rebroadcast, October 6, 2011
- Speaker, "Inns of Court Meetings and Programs: Process Development and Maintaining Interest," American Inns of Court 4th Circuit Leadership Conference, June 3, 2011
- Speaker, "Alternate Causation in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases," Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, May 20, 2011
- Speaker, "The Science of Climate Change in the Courtroom," International Association of Defense Counsel, Toxic and Hazardous Substances Litigation Committee, March 28, 2011
- Speaker, "Pleading Standards and Discovery After Twonbly and Iqbal," NBI Seminars, October 18, 2010
- Speaker, "Preparing Your Case for Trial in Federal Court," NBI Seminars, May 26, 2010
- Speaker, "Federal Court Procedure: Legal Overview and Update," NBI Seminars, December 22, 2009
- Speaker, "The 'Follow-the-Fortunes' Doctrine in Reinsurance Litigation," NBI Seminars, June 2, 2009
- Speaker, "Alternate Causation in Traumatic Brain Injury Cases," Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, May 8, 2009
- Speaker, "New Pleading Requirements under Twombly," NBI Seminars, February 3, 2009
- Speaker, "Bad Faith Insurance Claims in Virginia," NBI Seminars, September 17-18, 2008
- Speaker, "Immigration in the 21st Century: Perspectives on Law & Policy," University of Richmond Law School Immigration Symposium, April 3, 2008
- Speaker, "The Current Status of MTBE Litigation—A Jurisdictional Analysis," Mealey’s MTBE Litigation Conference, June 5, 2007
- Speaker, "Yes, Virginia, There is Daubert in State Court," VADA Spring Section Series, Products Liability, May 10, 2007
- Speaker, "Litigating the Maximum Contaminant Level," Mealey’s MTBE Litigation Conference, December 5, 2006
- Speaker, "Staying in Business and Out of Court," The National Association for Hose and Accessories Distributors Annual Meeting and Convention, April 2005
- Speaker, "Performance: Stay in Business & Out of Court," Independent Sealing Distributors Thirteenth Annual Convention, October 2004
- Speaker, "Defending the Distributor in Mass Tort Litigation," FISA Annual Convention, September 2004
- Speaker, "Defending the Distributor in Mass Tort Litigation," Safety Equipment Distributors Association, July 2004
- Speaker, "Litigation Management, Use of the Extranet," LexisNexis Innovative Defense Strategies in Drug & Medical Device Litigation, March 2004
- Speaker, "Overview of the Science, Medicine and Litigation Related to Welding Rod Toxicity," ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Preparing for Litigation Beyond the Asbestos Horizon, March 2004
- Speaker, "Overview of the Science, Medicine and Litigation Related to Welding Rod Toxicity," ABA Products Liability Committee Meeting, March 2003
- Speaker, "The FDA Defense: Beyond Preemption," Mealey’s Innovative Defense Strategies in Drug & Medical Device Litigation, February 2003
- Speaker, "Defending the Distributor in Mass Tort Litigation," ABA Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Annual Meeting, March 2002
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Texas
- Virginia
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
Selected for the Faculty of the 50th Annual International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy, Stanford University Law School, August 1–9, 2024
Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, 2007-2025; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2015-2025, Woodward/White, Inc.
Selected for inclusion in the “Irish Legal 100” list of the United States’ most distinguished Irish-American legal professionals, 2020-2023
Texas Pro Bono College, Texas State Bar Association, 2021; 2023
Selected for membership in the Boyd-Graves Conference, March 15, 2023. The Boyd-Graves Conference was first convened in the 1970s by a small group of seasoned Virginia trial lawyers and judges in order to discuss potential changes in the rules and procedures applicable to the trial of civil cases in Virginia state courts. In keeping with its roots, the Boyd-Graves Conference engages in scholarly study and discussion among experienced civil trial lawyers, judges, legislators, and educators, leading to recommendations for changes to the rules and statutes governing the civil justice system in Virginia. Membership is by invitation only. The Conference is limited to 100 participants from the bar and judiciary.
Pro Bono Service Honor Roll, Virginia Access to Justice Commission, May 2022
Lead Counsel in The Brinks Company v. Chubb European Group, Ltd. Eastern Dist. Of Virginia. Largest settlement in Virginia in 2021. ($18,781,000), Virginia Law Weekly, March 31, 2022
Recipient, “Social Justice Pro Bono Award,” International Association of Defense Counsel, 2021
Named to “Virginia Super Lawyers,” Class Action/Mass Torts, Business Litigation, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2007, 2014-2021
Named to “America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators,” 2019-present
Virginia Law Fellows, 2017. Appointed by Virginia Law Foundation as one of fewer than 500 fellows in Virginia Bar distinguished by professional accomplishments and commitment to civic service.
Recipient, International Association of Defense Counsel, Joan Fullam Irick Award for Exceptional Leadership as Committee Chair, July 2014
Faculty, Mandatory Virginia State Bar Professionalism Course, 2012-2022. Appointed by Supreme Court of Virginia
Recipient, Lewis F. Powell Jr. Award for Pro Bono Service, Virginia State Bar, 2012
Named “Humanitarian of the Year,” Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 2009
Recipient, John Kenny Pro Bono Award, Richmond Bar Association, 2008
Top 10 Defense Wins for 2002, National Law Journal
Named to “Leaders in the Law,” Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2006
Named to “Legal Elite,” Virginia Business, 2009
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Author, "Diversity, Inclusion and Veterans in the Law," Defense Counsel Journal, Volume 90, No. 1, May 15, 2023
- Author, "Extend MDL Inclusivity Guidelines to Veterans," Washington Lawyer, November/December 2021
- Author, "Revise Mansfield Diversity Mandates To Also Benefit Veterans," Law 360, April 23, 2021
- Author, "Advanced Topics in Oral Civil Discovery," 88 Defense Counsel Journal No. 1, January 2021
- Author, Advanced Topics in Written Civil Discovery, 87 Defense Counsel Journal No. 4, October 2020
- Author, "Matter of R-A-F: The Attorney General Ignores the Circuit Courts and the Circuit Courts Ignore The Attorney General," International Association of Defense Counsel Newsletter, May 2020
- Author, "Matter of A-B: Tectonic Shift in Immigration Law or Mere Dicta?," International Association of Defense Counsel Newsletter, October 2018
- Author, "‘Lone Pine’ Orders and Proposed New Rule 26," International Association of Defense Counsel Newsletter, February 2015
- Author, "Toxic Tort Issues Related to Spray Polyurethane Foam," International Association of Defense Counsel Newsletter, May 2014
- Author, "Advising Plaintiffs and Defendants on Toxic Tort and Personal Injury Claims," Inside the Minds, Settlement Products Liability Claims, 2012
- Co-author, "Taming the Five-Ton Elephant," Electrical Wholesaling Magazine, July 2007
- Author, "Yes, Virginia, There is Daubert in State Court," VADA Spring Section Series, Products Liability, May 10, 2007
- Co-author, "Protecting Your Most Valuable Assets," Industrial Distribution, March 2007
- Co-author, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," Industrial Distribution, December 2005
- Author, "Defending the Distributor in Mass Tort Litigation," DRI: For The Defense, November 2003
- Author, "HCT/P: The Next Big Thing in Product Liability Litigation?," ABA Product Liability Newsletter, March 2003
- Author, "The New Privilege Log Amendment and Discovery of the Plaintiff," The Journal of Civil Litigation, Vol. IX, No. 4, Winter 1999