Summary

Rob is a partner in the firm’s Covington, Kentucky office, having served as the partner-in-charge of that office for 22 years. For more than 40 years, Rob has represented clients in a wide variety of  litigation and administrative matters throughout the country, and particularly in Kentucky. His legal experience includes a number of cases involving antitrust, employment, construction, health care, and general commercial matters. He also advises many clients on competition issues in the health care industry.

Rob currently is a vice-president of The Literary Board, a vice-president of the American Jewish Committee (Cincinnati region), and a Master in the Salmon P. Chase Inn of Court. He has served on a number of local community boards, including the Cincinnati Arts Association, Hoxworth Blood Center (past chair), the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Northern Kentucky (past chair), Joy Outdoor Education Center, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra (past president), and Isaac M. Wise Temple.

Rob joined Taft in 1981 after graduating summa cum laude from Duke University and receiving his law degree from the University of Chicago. He has been rated as a Local Litigation Star in Kentucky for Antitrust and General Commercial Litigation by Benchmark Litigation and listed in Best Lawyers in America and Kentucky Super Lawyers for a number of years.

Awards

All Service Areas

Education

  • University of Chicago Law School (1981)
  • Duke University (1977)

Admissions

  • Federal - Eastern District of Kentucky
  • Federal - Western District of Kentucky
  • Federal - Southern District of Ohio
  • Federal - Northern District of Ohio
  • Federal - 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Federal - U.S. Supreme Court
  • State - Kentucky

Notable Matters

  • Sandmann v. New York Times Co., et al., 617 F. Supp. 2d 683 (E.D. Ky. 2022), aff’d, 78 F.4th 319 (6th Cir. 2023). Obtained summary judgment in favor of media defendants on defamation claims.
  • Cooper v. River Metals Recycling, LLC, (Campbell, Ky. Cir. Ct. 2022). Defeated motion to certify class of 1,200 residents in environmental nuisance litigation.
  • Ark Encounter, LLC v. Parkinson, 152 F.Supp.3d 880 (E.D. Ky. 2016). Obtained preliminary injunction requiring state to consider application for economic development incentives without regard to project’s religious purpose.
  • Miles Farm Supply, LLC v. Helena Chemical Company, 2008 WL 3010064 (W.D. Ky. 2008), aff’d, 595 F.3d 663 (6th Cir. 2010).  Obtained summary judgment in favor of defendant on claims for aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty after hiring management employees of competitor.
  • Kentucky Speedway, LLC v. National Ass’n of Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., 2008 WL 113987 (E.D. Ky. 2008), aff’d, 588 F.3d 908 (6th Cir. 2009).  Obtained summary judgment in favor of stock car racing sanctioning body and owner of multiple racing tracks on Sherman Act Section 1 and 2 claims.

Professional Affiliations

  • Kentucky Bar Association

    Annual Convention Committee Member (2019-2020; 2023-2024)

  • Salmon P. Chase American Inn of Court

    Master (2011-present)

  • Leadership Cincinnati

    Class of 2007

  • Leadership Northern Kentucky

    Class of 1994-1995
    Steering Committee Member (1999-2004)
    Chair (2004)

Community Involvement

  • The Literary Board

    Board Member (2014-present)
    Vice-President (2017-present)

  • American Jewish Committee

    Vice President
    Board Member (2019-present)

  • Cincinnati Arts Association

    Board Member (2011-2017)

  • Hoxworth Blood Center

    Community Advisory Board Member (2007-2013)
    Chair (2011-2013)

  • Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

    Board Member (2005-2007)

  • Isaac M. Wise Temple

    Board Member (2000-2006)