Rob's tenacity makes all the difference in achieving results for his clients. His extensive complex commercial litigation experience amplifies his broad skillset as a savvy bankruptcy and creditor's rights advocate.
Overview
Rob's clients, whether commercial businesses or individual tort claimants, benefit from his experience litigating insurance issues, fraud, breach of duty and other business torts. Rob works with creditors, shareholders, governance boards, trustees and others in a wide array of bankruptcy proceedings. A member of the firm's Board of Directors and its Executive Committee and former chair of the Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights practice division, Rob provides clients with an array of tools and resources to solve the most complex bankruptcy issues.
Rob represents clients in bankruptcy and other litigation, and fights for the rights of creditors, lenders, lessors, developers, manufacturers and retailers in complex commercial and insurance litigation nationwide. His leadership skills in high-stakes litigation give his clients an edge when every dollar counts.
Experience
- Rob is a leader in the representation of survivors of sexual abuse in enforcing their claims in bankruptcy. Rob secured the largest ever recovery in a catholic diocese bankruptcy in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis case ($210 million). Additionally, Rob has represented survivor committees in the bankruptcy cases of the Crosier Order, the Diocese of Duluth, the Diocese of Harrisburg, the Diocese of New Ulm, the Diocese of Winona/Rochester and the Archdiocese of Agaña (Guam).
- Rob currently serves as lead counsel representing the Committee of Tort Claimants in the Diocese of Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) in a case involving the diocese, 89 Parishes, 5 high schools and 59 survivors. Rob successfully argued and obtained derivative standing on behalf of the Committee opening the door to the pursuit of fraud claims targeting an estimated $95 million in assets transferred into two trusts.
- Rob successfully represented multiple lenders facing more than $3 billion in claims in a fraud case.
- Rob obtained confirmation of a Chapter 11 plan resolving all claims arising out of the catastrophic collapse of the Copper Lounge building in Sioux Falls, SD. This plan provided for the payment of over $4M to the survivors and families of those who did not survive the collapse.
- Following a multi-day trial, Rob recently successfully represented a Chapter 7 trustee sued for intentional fraud and fraudulent conveyance, defeating the $5.5 million claim on all counts.
- He recently won a $7.2 million breach of fiduciary duties verdict against the former trustee of a liquidating trust.
News & Insights
News
Publications
"Inside the Minds: Representing Creditors in Chapter 9 Municipal Bankruptcy," Aspatore Publishing, 2014
Co-Author, "Bankruptcy Auctions Present Opportunities to Acquire Energy Assets with Limited Risk," SLS Insight, August 18, 2014
"How to Measure Good Faith?," Attorney at Law, May 2014
Speaking Engagements
Panelist, "Litigating Under the Child Victim's Act: Sexual Abuse Cases," New York Bar Association, June 28, 2021
"What Not To Put Into a Chapter 11 Plan," Midwestern Bankruptcy Institute, October 4, 2019
Recognitions
Recognitions
Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® list, 2027
Attorney of the Year – Minnesota Lawyer 2018
Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers
Attorney of the Month, Attorney at Law Magazine, June 2013
Minnesota Public Radio contributor on Diocesan and auto industry bankruptcies
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
American Bankruptcy Institute
Commercial Law League of America
Equipment Leasing Association
Turnaround Management Association
National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
Minnesota Supreme Court Board of Legal Certification, Former Chair
Minnesota State Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Education
William Mitchell College of Law (Mitchell Hamline School of Law), J.D., 1988
Gustavus Adolphus College, B.A., 1985
