- OVERVIEW
- EXPERIENCE
- INSIGHTS
- NEWS & EVENTS
INDUSTRIES
PRACTICES
- Advertising & Rights of Publicity
- Corporate Finance & Securities
- Corporate Law
- Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Governance
- Family Wealth and Business Collaborative
- International Trade
- Licensing & Technology Transfer
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Private Equity Transactions
- Technology Transactions
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems
- Venture Capital
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Education
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DePaul University College of Law,
J.D., 1998
Member, The DePaul Journal of Health Care Law
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University of Iowa,
B.A., 1991
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Admissions
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Illinois
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Illinois USDC, Northern District
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Affiliations
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American Bar Association
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ARMA (Records Management Association)
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Chicago Bar Association
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Illinois Chamber of Commerce
Former Executive Committee of the “Emerging Business Network”
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National Notary Association
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Recognitions
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Listed in Illinois Super Lawyers, 2010-2022 (by Thomson Reuters)
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Included in Illinois Leading Lawyers, 2014 (by Law Bulletin Media)
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Included in Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2008-2009 (by Thomson Reuters)
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Employment
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Thompson Coburn LLP
Partner, 1997-Present
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Community
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Jewish Council for Youth Services (JYCS)
Former Member of Board of Directors
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Rob is a pragmatic, solution-oriented advisor who guides companies through major transactions as well as provides comprehensive advice on their day-to-day operations and business needs.
He has particular experience working with complex domestic and international mergers and acquisitions transactions, supply chain matters, outsourcing, sophisticated data protection issues and software licensing and implementations.
For over two decades, Rob has worked closely with the leaders and in-house legal teams of a variety of domestic and international businesses — from entrepreneurs to multi-billion-dollar international conglomerates, particularly in the manufacturing and high-tech sectors. These companies look to Rob for practical, real-world advice on the myriad of issues they face.
Rob has extensive experience in supply chain management, both domestic and internationally, and assists companies with contracts and conflicts that crop up while buying, supplying or transporting all manner of goods.
Additionally, Rob devotes a large part of his practice to information security and records management issues. He drafts, reviews and audits information management policies and procedures, and helps companies create strong internal programs for electronic discovery, data breach procedures and information preservation. A former computer programmer who also developed and sold large-volume software solutions, Rob draws on his tech background to ensure his clients are protected when purchasing and implementing business-critical software or embarking on technology transfers.
Rob is a longtime drone hobbyist and the co-chair of Thompson Coburn's UAS (Drone) Practice Group, where he counsels a variety of companies on their use of UAS.
Primary outside counsel to a diverse roster of businesses
Key partner to a Berkshire Hathaway consumer products company with $2 billion in worldwide annual sales, providing assistance across a broad range of legal issues, including contract review, real estate, antitrust and environmental and supply chain issues.
Serves as outside general counsel to one of the world's largest industrial wheel and hardware manufacturers. The company, owned by a private equity group, has manufacturing and distribution facilities around the world.
Regularly leads mergers and transactions for a diversified industrial organization with facilities and employees around the world with over $8 billion in annual revenues and nearly 20,000 employees.
Represents one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of consumer and industrial radio controlled products, providing counsel on mergers and acquisitions, supply chain, distributor-dealer relations and employment law issues.
Lead counsel on major commercial agreements
Provided review, analysis and advice on a client's three-year $36 billion supply agreement.
Leadership and guidance on cybersecurity issues
For a global energy management company, Rob was the sole outside attorney invited to participate on a companywide international cyber-committee focused on data security and data sharing across international borders.
Counsels a cloud-based B2B software provider on software agreements, data security, corporate governance and customer agreements.
Blogs
What you need to know about the new EU-U.S. data transfer pact
Thompson Coburn Publications
Micro UAS Committee charts bold new course for FAA treatment of smaller unmanned aircraft
Senate committee examines unmanned aircraft system safety, privacy concerns
And on that farm he had a drone: UAS deployment in precision agriculture
Small Business Committee holds hearing to explore commercial drone operations
FAA grants exemption for large crop-spraying unmanned aircraft
Section 333 at 200 days: Where are we now?
Small UAS comment countdown begins: FAA publishes notice of proposed rulemaking
Final approach: FAA announces long-awaited small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Florida drone bill a reminder to UAS operators: Know all the rules before you fly
FAA settles trail-blazing drone case for $1,100
UAS hearing yields details on systems research and development, but no timeline for small UAS rule
'Tis the season: FAA launches safety campaign for unmanned aircraft
TCLEs
Prevent the Cloud from Putting Your Health Data at Risk
Cloud Computing 101- How It Works, What Are Its Risks and What Are Its Rewards
Buzz, Cookies, Targeting: A Business Guide to Rapidly Expanding Data Privacy Laws
Publications
"Micro UAS Committee charts bold new course for FAA treatment of smaller unmanned aircraft";
April 2016
"Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: What to Do When Supplier-Distributor Relationships Go South";
Target (Publication of Association for Manufacturing Excellence) October 2012
"Distribution Agreements";
Illinois Business Law: Miscellaneous Operating Issues, April 2011
Contributor, "E-Business Legal Arsenal: Practitioner Agreements and Checklists";
ABA Section of Science and Technology 2004
"Software Piracy, Licensing and Compliance—One Copy, Multiple Users";
Vol. 46, No. 2 Illinois State Bar Association, Corporation, Securities & Business Law Forum, January 2001
Presentations
Quoted in "Non-Pilots Can Fly Drones Under Proposed Rules," TV Technology;
February 17, 2015
"Commercial Contracting";
Marmon Water Group Presentation, April 2014
"A Business Guide to Rapidly Expanding Data Privacy Laws";
Chicago Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), October 25, 2011
"General Contracting Topics";
Presentation to Marmon Water Group in Minnesota and Delaware, November 26, 29, 2010
"Social Media and the Law";
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Emerging Trends in Business Speaker Series, February 2010
"General Contracting Topics";
Client Seminar, November 2010
"Ethics for In-House Counsel";
Client Seminar, May 2008
"Record Retention and Destruction Policies: An Ounce of Prevention";
2005 & 2007
"Avoiding the Pitfalls of the Electronic Era";
Fagel Haber LLC Seminar, February 2006 and October 2005
"Solving the Business Puzzle: Purchasing or Selling a Business";
Citibank-Sponsored Seminar, June 2005
"Maximizing the Value of Your Closely Held Business Through the Next Generation";
FagelHaber LLC Seminar, November 2003
"Negotiating Technology Agreements";
Chicago Bar Association, September 2002