Overview
An experienced business and litigation attorney, Robert resides in Miami, Florida, and represents clients across the country working remotely for the West Palm Beach office of McDonald Hopkins.
With extensive real estate, business and litigation experience, Robert has earned a reputation as a national leader in responding to financial frauds. Active in the field of fraud long before it became fashionable to do so, Robert regularly represents the title insurance and financial industries providing counseling, strategic planning, advice on best practices and, when the situation arises, full litigation support. As a result of his efforts in the fraud arena, he often works with law enforcement and has been called upon by the Department of Justice and the Florida Bar to lecture, as well as testify in disciplinary proceedings.
Simply put, when businesses realize that money is missing, they look to Robert to find it. Clients rely on his out-of-the-ordinary strategy and forensic accounting insight to determine the best course of action to reestablish control and recover any loss.
Whether it is the defalcation of trust funds or the epidemic of wire fraud losses arising from Business Email Compromise, it is paramount to recognize that time is the enemy. Always cognizant that the clock is ticking, Robert knows that it is critical to quickly establish a chronology of events and then call upon his national contacts in both the financial industry and law enforcement, his knowledge of the law as well as his many years of experience to create a recovery strategy. Comfortable in the world of numbers and forensic analysis, Robert utilizes sophisticated negotiation skills together with injunctive and extraordinary relief to obtain the most efficient result that reduces loss and increases the ability for salvage.
A native of Milwaukee, Wis., Robert earned his law degree from the University of Miami after receiving a bachelor's degree in construction administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a member of the Florida Bar and, prior to joining McDonald Hopkins, served as President and managing shareholder of Cohen | Ruiz.
Representative Cases & Matters
- Gorrin v. Poker Run, 137 So. 3d 1102 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014).
- Winkler v. Lawyers Title, 41 So. 3d 414 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010).
- Lawyers Title v. Novastar, 862 So. 2d 793 (Fla. 4th DCA 2004).
- Hechtman v. Nations Title, 840 So. 2d 993 (Fla. 2003).
- Dubai Islamic Bank v. Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund, Inc., 778 So. 2d 413 (Fla.3d DCA 2001).
- Palm Beach Savings v. Fishbein, 619 So. 2d 267 (Fla. 1993).
- Devon-Aire Villas v Americable Associates, 490 So. 2d 60 (Fla. 3d DCA 1985).
Honors & Recognition
ESGR Patriot Award Recipient (2014)
Credentials
Education
University of Miami School of Law
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Admissions – Court
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
Admissions – State
- Florida
Professional & Civic
Professional Activities
American Bar Association
Miami - Dade County Bar Association
U.S. Department of Justice Mortgage Fraud Training Program (2007)
Chair, ABA Title Insurance Litigation Committee (2003-2004)
Chair, Title Insurance Agent Defalcation Seminar (1993)
Chair, Florida Bar Grievance Committee (1990-1991)
Community Involvement
Past Director - David and Mary Alper JCC
Committee Chair, Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Mortgage Fraud Taskforce (2007-2009)
News & Insights
Events
Speaking Engagements
Florida Land Title Association’s Defense Roundtable (numerous presentations)
Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund Annual Assembly (numerous presentations)
American Land Title Association - Speaker Internal Auditors Committee (2017)
Corporate Client - Title Agent Education Series Speaker (2005, 2013)
ABA Title Insurance Litigation Speaker Spring / Annual Meetings (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013)
Miami-Dade Real Property Council - “Files, Bean Counting” (2011)
Florida Bar Problems Study Committee - “What Your Files Say About You” (2008)
Law Society of Upper Canada - “Fighting Real Estate Fraud” (2004)
Florida Bar “Real Estate Litigation – Is Anyone Listening?” (1995)
Moderator/Chair, Title Insurance Agent Defalcation Seminar (1993)