Robert Mathias is a trial lawyer who helps clients solve problems. His primary areas of practice are business, class action and intellectual property litigation, white collar criminal advice and investigations for corporate clients. He is Joint Global Leader and US Chair of the firm’s Litigation practice and also a member of the firm’s Global Board and US Executive and Policy committees. His litigation, white collar and investigations practices include the representation of corporations and individuals in all stages of federal and state civil and criminal proceedings, as well as internal corporate investigations, legislative proceedings, and regulatory enforcement proceedings. His intellectual property litigation practice includes trademark, copyright and patent litigation. Mr. Mathias has tried cases and argued appeals in federal and state courts in a number of jurisdictions and has extensive experience with many different types of alternative dispute resolution.

Mr. Mathias is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Bar Foundation. In Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, the respected English publisher Chambers & Partners recognizes Mr. Mathias as one of America’s leading Litigation lawyers, deeming him an “exceptionally talented trial lawyer.” Mr. Mathias is also listed in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in American Law, The Best Lawyers in America and the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America. In 2007, Baltimore SmartCEO magazine named him to its list of Maryland’s Legal Elite. In 2008, he was named a Maryland Super Lawyer and cited among the top 50 Super Lawyers in Maryland.

In 2004, The Daily Record, the newspaper serving Baltimore’s business and legal communities, honored him with its Leadership in Law Award. The award recognizes those individuals whose leadership, both in the legal profession and in the community, has made a positive impact on Maryland, and who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the practice of law; involvement in the profession; support of the community; and mentoring.

In 2008, Mr. Mathias received the Fifth Annual Baltimore Peacemaker Award for his extensive work with the Community Mediation Program.

Recent Representative Matters

• Representation of a global life insurance company in a lawsuit filed by a large commercial bank in federal court in Cincinnati. The plaintiff seeks over $350M based upon allegations arising from its purchase of Bank-Owned Life Insurance.
• Representation of a global life insurance company as lead counsel in nationwide consumer class actions arising from alleged failures to refund unearned premiums in the credit insurance industry.
• Representation of a global energy company in litigation filed in federal court against the State of Maryland and State officials. Challenging the constitutionality of legislation enacted by the State which resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars of damages.
• Representation of an Independent Committee of Directors of a for profit educational company in an internal investigation following execution of search warrants by federal agents of the US FBI and Department of Education.
• Representation of a life insurance company in an arbitration filed by a global telemarketing company seeking more than $28M in a dispute arising from a telemarketing services agreement.
• Representation of a large European based global insurance holding company in a number of consolidated securities class actions filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The court selected lead plaintiffs and lead plaintiffs’ counsel, and the lead plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint. The entire case was dismissed with prejudice before any discovery and no appeal was filed.
• Representation of a national actuarial consulting company in a $70M claim filed by the State of Maryland arising out of alleged breach of actuarial services agreements.

Additional Representative Matters

Litigation and Arbitration

• Representation of a major telecommunications company in disputes arising out of the $1.75 billion divestiture of its Internet business.
• Representation of a major telecommunications company in arbitration with an information technology provider regarding multi-billion dollar outsourcing agreements.
• Representation of a telecommunications company in federal court action in Washington, DC, alleging that class members were charged higher rates for services than allowed under the applicable tariff.
• Representation of a diversified global manufacturing company in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York in defending against a $30M claim by inventor alleging that the company breached an exclusive license agreement. Defendant company prevailed at trial.
• Representation of a cable company in litigation in federal court in Pennsylvania regarding a transaction in excess of $700M.
• Representation of seller of closely held business in defending against claims by buyer, a publicly held Irish Corporation, arising out of alleged breaches of a Stock Purchase Agreement involving a $120M transaction.
• Representation of a major defense contractor in lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the District of Connecticut by manufacturer of aircraft propulsion systems seeking more than $100M for alleged breaches of agreement to deliver fan thrust reversers.
• Representation of a insurance company and broker-dealer in litigation in the US District Court for the District of Columbia involving allegations of fraud, churning and unsuitability in connection with securities and insurance transactions.
• Representation of a financial services holding company in federal and state court actions in Cincinnati, Ohio, seeking class action relief for individuals who allegedly lost more than $13M in connection with their purchases of securities.

Investigations

• Representation of a former official of an international pharmaceutical company in a federal investigation arising out of alleged failure to disclose information to the FDA in a timely and effective manner.
• Representation of a former Assistant to the President for Management and Administration in investigations by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr and US Senate and US House of Representatives committees.
• Representation of a mutual fund employee in an SEC investigation.
• Representation of a lawyer in federal criminal investigation and prosecution involving fraud and money laundering allegations.
• Representation of a number of corporate clients in confidential internal investigations regarding wrongdoing by corporate officials or related entities.

Patent and Trademark Litigation

• Representation of a national health care company in numerous matters including federal litigation involving allegations of trademark infringement and related claims.
• Representation of financial services company and investment adviser in lawsuit filed by hedge fund manager in New York State Supreme Court seeking $500M based on allegations that defendants conspired with other fund managers and violated fiduciary duties by seeking redemption of investments in the fund. The Court granted defendant’s motion to dismiss the complaint with prejudice for failure to state a claim.
• Representation of a patent holder and distributor of eyeglass frames in patent infringement and antitrust action arising out of the nationwide market for nickel-titanium-based shape memory alloy eyeglass frames. Won jury verdict of more than $15M after four-week trial in US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Obtained injunctive relief in US District Court for Maryland.
• Representation of an apparel company in a breach of license agreement suit against a major national apparel company. Obtained preliminary injunction in Baltimore City circuit court barring defendant from entering the national market for casual slacks bearing the Lee trademark.
• Representation of a major Internet services provider in patent litigation in the US District Court for the District of Nevada involving Internet gambling. Complaint against client dismissed before response or discovery.

False Claims/Qui Tam Litigation

• Representation of a major defense contractor in the defense of a civil False Claims Act case brought by the United States.

PŘIJETÍ

• Maryland
• District of Columbia
• United States District Court for the District of Maryland
• United States District Court for the District of Columbia
• United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Členství

• American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow (1999-present), Complex Litigation Committee (2000-2004)
• Federal Bar Association, Board of Governors, Maryland Chapter (1992-2001)
• Maryland State Bar Association Judicial Administration Section Council (1994 - 1999)
• Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers, Faculty
• Maryland ADR Commission, Business Applications Committee
• Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Advisory Committee on ADR
• Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Center for Business & Technology Advisory Committee
• Judicial Conference of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Permanent Member
• American Bar Foundation, Fellow

Předchozí zkušenosti

• Assistant US Attorney, US Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland (1983-88)

Praktické zkušenosti

• The Honorable Joseph H. Young, US District Court for the District of Maryland.

Obecně prospěšná činnost

• Baltimore Museum of Art, Trustee, Executive Committee (2001-present)
• Community Mediation Program, Board of Directors (1999-present)
• Calvert School, Board of Trustees (2000-present; President, 2001-2003)
• Walters Art Museum, William T. Walters Association (1997-2003)
• Harvard Law School Association of Maryland, Treasurer (1992-2002)
• Yale Alumni Association of Maryland, President (1991-94)
• Greater Baltimore Committee Leadership Program (1998)
• United Way of Central Maryland, Co-Chair Leadership Campaign (2001)
• Center for Public Resources Institute for Dispute Resolution, Firm Representative
• Serjeants Inn Law Club and Rule Day Law Club
• Public Justice Center, Board of Directors (1994-98)