Rob is a litigation and mediation partner at Reed Smith. Clients rely on Rob to handle their complex disputes and important business issues. Whether prosecuting, defending, or mediating lawsuits or providing strategic counsel on client’s valuable assets, Rob brings 40 years of in-depth experience, judgment, and skill to the matter.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Representing Mondelez in private label trade dress infringement case against Aldi stores in the Northern District of Illinois to protect the distinctive product packaging of OREO, CHIPS AHOY and NILLA WAFERS cookies and WHEAT THINS, RITZ and PREMIUM crackers
Representing Elevance and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association against insurance agents in trademark infringement action in Northern District of Georgia to stop counterfeiting of the ANTHEM, BLUE CROSS, and BLUE SHIELD tradaemarks. Prevailed on motion for preliminary injunction.
Defending Holly Cutler and FACE MedSpa (aka THE SKIN SAINT) in the Northern District of California in trademark infringement action filed by Vicous Brands alleging infringement of its SAINTS & SINNERS hair care brand.
Representing Mondelez in private label trade dress infringement case against Aldi stores in the Northern District of Illinois to protect the distinctive product packaging of OREO, CHIPS AHOY and NILLA WAFERS cookies and WHEAT THINS, RITZ and PREMIUM crackers
Representing Elevance and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association against insurance agents in trademark infringement action in Northern District of Georgia to stop counterfeiting of the ANTHEM, BLUE CROSS, and BLUE SHIELD tradaemarks. Prevailed on motion for preliminary injunction.
Defending Holly Cutler and FACE MedSpa (aka THE SKIN SAINT) in the Northern District of California in trademark infringement action filed by Vicous Brands alleging infringement of its SAINTS & SINNERS hair care brand.
Representing Nature’s Bakery to protect the trade dress of its popular fig bars.
Representing Brown Estates to protect its wine brands.
Representing Clover Sonoma to protect its dairy brands.
Representing The Free Spirits Company to protect its alcohol-free beverage brand.
Representing Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and Skywalker Properties in intellectual property matters.
Representing Genova Delicatessen in intellectual property and business matters.
Representing WX Brands to protect its wine brands.
Mediated trademark infringement dispute between competing internet dating websites
Mediated breach of contract dispute between commercial bakery and ingredients supplier
Mediated commercial lease dispute between university lessor and technology company lessee
Mediated wrongful termination and wage and hour dispute between fire and water remediation employer and group of employees
Mediated constructive eviction dispute between residential lessor and lessee arising from mold infestation
Mediated breach of settlement agreement dispute between automobile dealership and lemon law law firm
Mediated negligence dispute between taxpayer and tax preparation company
Mediated personal injury dispute between competitive cyclist and automobile driver
Mediated construction dispute between homeowner and homeowners association
Mediated private nuisance dispute between neighboring landowners
Mediated fraud/negligence dispute between patient and ophthalmology practice
Recognitions
- Best Lawyers in America, Trademark Law, 2023 and 2025
- Named a Global Leader by World Trademark Review, 2025
- World Trademark Review 1000, 2025 (Gold Band)
“Excelling on the enforcement front, Robert Phillips advocates for leading companies who rely on him to handle high-stakes disputes and their most pressing business issues.”
Credentials
Education
Education
- University of San Francisco School of Law, 1985, J.D., magna cum laude
- University of California, Berkeley, 1982, B.A., with high honors
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- California
Court admissions
Court admissions
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court - Central District of California
- U.S. District Court - Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court - Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court - District of Nebraska
- U.S. District Court - District of Nevada
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court - Middle District of Tennessee
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Second Circuit
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- California State Bar Association, Member
- International Trademark Association, Member
- International Trademark Association, Directory of Trademark Mediators
- World Intellectual Property Organization, Mediator
- Settlement Conference Panelist, Marin County Superior Court
- Day of Court Mediator, Alameda County Superior Court
- Alameda County Superior Court Mediation Program, Panelist
News
1 / 6