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Robert K. McBride
- E rmcbride@taftlaw.com
- T (859) 547-4308
- F (513) 381-6613
Summary
A Partner-in-Charge of Taft’s Northern Kentucky office and a partner in the Washington, D.C. office, Bob defends individuals and businesses in regulatory and white-collar criminal matters. As lead attorney, he conducts internal investigations for both domestic and foreign conglomerates facing regulatory inquiries, and is known for excellence in strategically and efficiently resolving high profile cases under intense public scrutiny.
Prior to joining Taft, Bob served as an Assistant United States Attorney and United States Navy, Judge Advocate General. Bob has built a reputation as a transformative leader and strategic litigator, experienced in prosecuting and defending complex and landmark cases involving national security and critical infrastructure, financial and healthcare fraud, money laundering, federal tax violations, civil forfeiture, violations of the Export Control Act, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and False Claims Act.
Before joining Taft, Bob served as an AUSA in the Eastern District of Kentucky for over 15 years, culminating in a Supervisory AUSA role managing all aspects of the Northern Kentucky branch. He also served as the District’s National Security Prosecutor, Anti-Terrorism Counsel, and Chief of the District’s Criminal Division.
During his career, Bob tried 36 federal cases to verdict, military courts-martial, and administrative hearings. He has prosecuted narcotics trafficking organizations, firearms violations, and crimes against children. He has argued several cases before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and conducted more than 100 investigations involving criminal activity, civil actions, and national security issues.
Prior to serving as an AUSA, Bob spent a decade as a US Navy JAGC, where he held several leadership roles. In his final role as Command JAG of the Great Lakes Recruit Training Command, he oversaw one of the Navy’s largest legal staffs—1,200+ military and civilian staff members training 50,000 recruits per year—and managed an annual caseload of 7,000+ administrative terminations, 900 disciplinary cases, and 1,500 criminal investigations.
A leader in the legal community, Bob is the current President of the Northern Kentucky Bar Association and immediate Past President of the Salmon P. Chase Inn of Court. He is an associate professor at Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law.
Awards
Honoree, Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Compliance Law (2025)
Honoree, Kentucky Super Lawyers, White Collar Crimes (2021 – 2022)
United States Attorney’s Leadership Award Honoree, Eastern District of Kentucky (2008)
All Service Areas
All Practices
Education
- University of Dayton School of Law (1992)
- Miami University (1987)
Admissions
- State - Kentucky
- State - District of Columbia
- Federal - Eastern District of Kentucky
- Federal - Western District of Kentucky
- Federal - Southern District of Indiana
- Federal - 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
- Federal - U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
Notable Matters
- Conducted internal investigation into potential FCPA violation on behalf of global automobile manufacturer headquartered in Japan with facilities in Kentucky. Investigate whether in violation of FCPA.
- Co-led legal team defending privately held staffing services provider for major healthcare groups during investigation by the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the Department of State involving alleged false representations.
- Represented US subsidiary of global manufacturer of packaging technologies during US Bureau of Industry & Security investigation into violations of the Iran Sanctions.
- United States v. Marie Antoinette Castelli, 16-cr-33 (EDKY). Defendant pleaded guilty to communicating threats in interstate commerce. Her threats involved several U.S. service members who were engaged in the war on terrorism and their families.
- United States v. Louis Brothers, 14-cr-35 (EDKY). Defendant exported radiation hardened microcircuits to China. He pleaded guilty to violations of Armed Export Control Act and money laundering, and he was subject to forfeiture of significant assets.
- United States v. Meredith L. Lawrence, 11-cr-52 (EDKY). Defendant was convicted at trial of multiple counts of filing false federal tax returns.
- United States v. Ronald E. Weinland, 11-cr-07 (EDKY). Defendant was convicted at trial of multiple counts of federal income tax evasion arising out of his use of a non-profit organization to conceal personal income.
- United States v. Spectrum Interiors, et al., 07-cr-85. (EDKY). CEO of Spectrum Interiors pleaded guilty personally and on behalf of the corporation to violations of harboring aliens without status in the United States. CEO was sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and the corporation was subject to a money judgment of $2,000,000.00.
Speeches and Publications
Author, “Pulsifer v. United States: The Statutory Interpretation Rubber Hits the Criminal Law Road,” The Federalist Society, April 2, 2024.
Co-author, “DOJ’s Shot Across the Bows of Corporate Counsel,” Taft Law Bulletin, March 10, 2022.
Speaker, Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Annual Conference and Criminal Defense Seminar, April 26, 2019.
“Federal Export Control Law Carrying Criminal Sanctions — A Brief Overview,” Kentucky Bar Association, Bench and Bar Magazine, May 2014.
News
McBride Records Federalist Society "Courthouse Steps" Podcast News
Three Hundred Sixty-Three Taft Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers in America® 2025 News
McBride Elected President of Salmon P. Chase Inn of Court News
McBride Quoted in Recent Articles
Upcoming Events
Past Events
Professional Affiliations
- Salmon P. Chase College of Law - Northern Kentucky University
Associate Professor (2024-Present)
- Northern Kentucky Bar Association
President (2023-Present)
Former Vice President (2022-2023)
Secretary (2020-2022) - Salmon P. Chase American Inn of Court
President (2022-Present)
Master since 2006 - Kentucky Bar Association
Commissioner, Lawyer Advertising Commission (2022-Present)
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
Community Involvement
- Northern Kentucky Veterans Treatment Court
Mentor Coordinator (2017 – present)
- Navy League
Member
- Disabled Veterans of America
Member
- Teen Court, Campbell County
Member