Robert is a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property and Complex Litigation Sections. His practice includes civil litigation in state and federal court at both the trial and appellate level. Robert has developed substantial experience in litigating intellectual property matters, including disputes involving patent, trademark and copyright infringement, trade secret violations, unfair competition and antitrust claims. Prior to joining Troutman Sanders, Robert clerked for the Honorable James C. Cacheris, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Robert is also the co-chair of the firm’s Electronic Discovery and Data Management Practice Team.

Intellectual Property Cases
Represented manufacturer of a branch circuit management system for monitoring electrical power in a patent infringement action.  Obtained summary judgment of non-infringement and persuaded the court to declare the case exceptional and award attorneys’ fees.  Thomas & Betts Power Solutions, L.L.C. v. Power Distribution, Inc., Case No. 3:07cv167-HEH, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22599 (E.D. Va. 2008).

Represented computer manufacturer in defense of patent infringement claims relating to computer cursor control stick technology.  GIV, LLC v. International Business Machines Corporation, et al., Case No. 3:07cv067-HEH, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 30168 (E.D. Va. 2007).

Defended major baby stroller company in defense of trade dress infringement claims.  BOB Strollers, Inc. v. Baby Jogger, LLC, Case No. CV07-263 (D. Idaho).

Defended a major pharmaceutical company in patent infringement action involving a patent for an antibiotic used to treat respiratory infections.  Lupin, Ltd. v. Abbott Laboratories, et al., Civil Action No. 3:06cv400-REP (E.D. Va. 2006).

Defended manufacturer of coin-counting machinery in patent infringement action.  Coinstar, Inc. v. CoinXChange, LLC, et al., Civil Action No. 3:06cv299-JRS (E.D. Va. 2006).

Defended a major software development company in patent infringement action involving patents for electronic sourcing and procurement systems.  ePlus, Inc. v. SAP AG, Civil Action No. 3:05cv281-JRS (E.D. Va. 2006).

Represented a pharmaceutical company in trademark and trade dress infringement, false advertising and unfair competition action against generic pharmaceutical company.  Atley Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Brighton Pharmaceuticals, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 3:06cv301-HEH (E.D. Va. 2006)

Defended a snuff tobacco manufacturer in trade dress infringement action.  Philip Morris USA Inc. v. Swedish Match North America, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 3:06cv134-REP (E.D. Va. 2006).

Represented national trade show producer in antitrust litigation against regional competitor.  MAC Events, LLC v. Royal Productions, Inc., Civil Action No. 3:05cv498 (E.D. Va. 2005).

Defended major gun manufacturer in trademark, trade dress and patent infringement, and false advertising action relating to military machine guns.  Colt Defense, LLC v. Heckler & Koch Defense, Inc., Civil Action No. 2:04cv258 (E.D. Va. 2004).

Defended a major computer software company in patent infringement action involving patents for whiteboard software technology.  Imagexpo, LLC, v. Microsoft Corp., Civil Action No. 3:02cv751-HEH (E.D. Va. 2003).

Represented a major computer software company in anti-piracy trademark and copyright infringement litigation.  Microsoft Corp. v. ABC Computers, 4:07cv0051 (W.D. Va. 2007); Microsoft Corp. v. #9 Software, Civil Action No. 4:05cv106 (E.D. Va. 2005); Microsoft Corp. v. East Outlet Software, Civil Action No. 4:05cv105 (E.D. Va. 2005); Microsoft Corp. v. NTK Computers, Civil Action No. 3:02cv480 (E.D. Va. 2002).

Represented a national equipment rental company in trademark infringement action against a local competitor.  Equipment Depot, Ltd.  v. Equipment Depot, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 3:05cv309 (E.D. Va. 2005).

Defended a utility engineering company in patent infringement litigation.  Utiliscope Corp. v. T.B.E. Group, Inc., Civil Action No. 3:00cv639 (E.D. Va. 2001).

Represented a major assisted living and retirement provider in trademark infringement action before the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, and in concurrent use proceeding before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Defended an investment advisor in multi-million dollar trade secret litigation before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Complex Litigation Cases
Defended a non-profit organization in defense of a First Amendment challenge to its faith-based prison initiative.  Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, Inc. v. Prison Fellowship Ministries, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 4:03cv90074 (S.D. Iowa 2006), Appeal No. 06-2741 (8th Cir. 2007).

Defended officers and directors of several closely held corporations in multi-million dollar securities fraud action brought by minority shareholders.  Moseman v. Van Leer, et al., Civil Action No. WMN 98434 (D. Md. 2000), aff’d, 263 F.3d 129 (4th Cir. 2001), cert. denied, 534 U.S. 1148 (2002).

Represented the board directors and majority shareholders of a technology company in multiple lawsuits brought by its former CEO and allied minority shareholders to regain control of corporation.  TechnoBrands, Inc. v. Anton, et al., Case Nos. CH02-430, CH02-507, CL02-772 (Cir. Ct. Chesterfield Co. 2002); Case No. LP 2339 (Cir. Ct. City of Richmond 2002).

Represented a commercial property owner in appeal of erroneous tax assessment before the state circuit court and the Supreme Court of Virginia.  City of Martinsville v. Commonwealth Boulevard Associates, LLC, 268 Va. 697, 604 S.E.2d 69 (2004).

Represented a major financial institution in civil RICO action against individuals who assisted multi-million dollar debtor remove assets to offshore location.  First Union N.A. v. Freasier, Civil Action No. 3:00cv283 (E.D. Va. 2001).

Represented property owners in appeal of adverse circuit court decision regarding property rights before the Supreme Court of Virginia.  Haisfield v. Lape, 264 Va. 632, 570 S.E.2d 794 (2002).

Defended a major insurer in multi-million dollar breach of contract, quantum meruit, and fraud action before the state circuit court and the Supreme Court of Virginia.  ITT Hartford Group, Inc. v. Virginia Financial Associates, Inc., 258 Va. 193, 520 S.E.2d 355 (1999).

Defended a major financial institution in a multi-million dollar breach of trust claim brought by the beneficiaries of a trust before the state circuit court and the Supreme Court of Virginia. Ward v. NationsBank N.A., 256 Va. 427, 507 S.E.2d 616 (1998).

Pro Bono Cases
Represented prisoner in petition for Writ of Actual Innocence based upon alleged victim’s recantation under new Virginia Actual Innocence Statute before the state circuit Court, the Court of Appeals of Virginia, and the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Represented Virginia prisoners in civil divorce proceedings.

Articles and Speaking Engagements
Practical Strategies for E-Discovery, Virginia CLE and the Civil Litigation Section of The Virginia Bar Association, (April 10, 2008).

Co-author, "Litigating Patent Infringement Cases in the 'Rocket Docket' of the Eastern District of Virginia," Mealey's Litigation Report: Intellectual Property (December 1, 2006).

Co-author, "Litigating Patent Infringement Cases in the Eastern District of Virginia," IP Law 360 (October 23, 2006).

Co-author and CLE Presenter, "Electronic Discovery: Emerging Case Law and Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure," (2006).

Co-author, "Preserving Your Client's Claim for Attorneys' Fees: Recognizing When a Simple Claim for Attorneys' Fee Is Not So Simple," VBA News Journal (October/November 2005).

Co-author, "Beware the Rocket Docket: Litigating IP Disputes in the Eastern District of Virginia," Atlantic Coast In-House Magazine (October 2004).

Co-author, "Traps For The Unwary: Litigating Intellectual Property Cases In The Rocket Docket,"  Mealey's Litigation Report: Intellectual Property, (April 2003).