Rob is the global chair of Reed Smith’s Emerging Technologies practice, a group that includes more than 200 lawyers supporting clients in data privacy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, adtech, fintech, data governance, digital health, tech transactions, outsourcing, and tech/data disputes and investigations.
Rob’s practice focuses on matters at the intersection of privacy, marketing, and intellectual property. He has extensive experience advising consumer brands, agencies, content creators, and publishers on privacy and marketing regulatory compliance, the protection and commercialization of their creative properties, and litigation risk avoidance in connection with data privacy, intellectual property and emerging technologies.
Recognized as a “Client Service All-Star” (BTI Consulting Group), Rob is a trusted business advisor working closely with clients to protect their data and creative advantages in the following areas:
Data Privacy and Security: Regulatory and compliance counseling, including with respect to transparency, interest-based advertising, “big data,” content aggregation, artificial intelligence, consumer rights, privacy-by-design, biometrics, telemarketing, mobile marketing, digital media, and cross-border matters. Rob assists large consumer brands in developing practical, scalable, and effective privacy and data compliance programs. He advises clients on the privacy implications associated with new technologies, negotiates deals involving significant data assets, and assists clients in the assessment and development of internal data privacy and security programs and practices in view of the evolving regulatory landscape.
Advertising, Marketing, and Promotions: Advertising counselling and clearance for traditional and interactive advertising campaigns, and counseling on consumer protection issues, design and implementation of promotions, and new media matters, including text message marketing, user-generated content, and social media.
Trademarks and Brand Protection: Trademark selection and clearance, assistance with the development of branding strategies, trademark prosecution, and global trademark portfolios management. Rob also advises on domain name strategies and new gTLD matters.
IP Transactions, Licensing, and E-Commerce: IP and privacy matters associated with mergers, acquisitions, outsourcing, transition services, and other significant corporate transactions. In addition, Rob counsels clients on software and mobile application development, end-user licenses, application service provider agreements, and software licensing.
IP Disputes and Litigation: False advertising, copyright, trademark, domain name, defamation, right of publicity, and unfair competition disputes and litigation, as well as UDRP proceedings and matters before the National Advertising Division and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Talent, Music, and Copyright: Music and content licenses, and high-level talent agreements for use in advertising and branded entertainment. Rob also counsels content creators and content providers on the protection and commercialization of their music, literary, and other creative properties.
Rob is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Illinois, Chicago and taught at the Chicago-Kent College of Law for several years.
Rob is actively involved in pro bono service on behalf of several prominent music and arts organizations. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Lawyers for the Creative Arts and was formerly a member of the Board of Directors of Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO).
