Practice Expertise

  • Government Relations
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Franchising, Licensing and Distribution
  • Business Litigation

Areas of Practice

  • Business Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Franchising, Licensing and Distribution
  • Government Relations
  • State Government Relations
  • View More

Profile

Robert’s practice focused on regulatory, administrative and government-relations matters before state and local governments and their agencies.

Robert continues his work serving as neutral in dispute resolution matters.

Relevant Experience

  • Lobbying on behalf of the alcohol beverage industry, serving as chairman of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, 1982-1985; also representation on behalf of other industries' legislative interests, ranging from: automotive to healthcare (including medical professionals) to hospitality (restaurants, bars and hotels) to funeral directors.
  • Regulatory and administrative litigation representing suppliers, distributors and franchisors in the following areas: alcohol beverage/food industries; professional services (including doctors, lawyers, dentists, pharmacists).
  • Serves as neutral in mediations for disputes involving commercial and public policy matters.

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia

Education
JD, Washington and Lee University School of Law, 1976

Areas of Practice

  • Business Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Franchising, Licensing and Distribution
  • Government Relations
  • State Government Relations

Professional Career

Significant Accomplishments
  • Lobbying on behalf of the alcohol beverage industry, serving as chairman of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, 1982-1985; also representation on behalf of other industries' legislative interests, ranging from: automotive to healthcare (including medical professionals) to hospitality (restaurants, bars and hotels) to funeral directors.
  • Regulatory and administrative litigation representing suppliers, distributors and franchisors in the following areas: alcohol beverage/food industries; professional services (including doctors, lawyers, dentists, pharmacists).
  • Serves as neutral in mediations for disputes involving commercial and public policy matters.


Professional Associations
  • Board Member, Legal Services Corporation, 2010 to present
  • President, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, 2010 to present
  • Board of Governors, St. Catherine’s School, 2009-2015
  • Board of Trustees, Washington and Lee University, 2008-2015
  • President, American Bar Association, 2004-05

Professional Activities and Experience
  • Most Influential Black Lawyers, Savoy magazine, 2015
  • American Bar Association’s Spirit of Excellence Award, 2015
  • Robert J. Grey, Jr. Negotiation Competition Washington and Lee Award, 2006 to present
  • Leaders in the Law, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Class of 2006
  • National Bar Association's Gertrude E. Rush Award, 2003
  • National Bar Association's Wiley A. Branton Award, 1998
  • Alumni Star Award, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1995
  • Order of the Court, Honorary Member, Washington and Lee University, 1993


Articles

  • There is No Justice as Long as Millions Lack Meaningful Access to It, ABA Journal
  • Diversity In the Legal Profession — A Stubborn Vision, Law360
  • Are Law Firms, Legal Departments Ready to Answer the Diversity Call?, Bloomberg Law

Blogs

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