Some attorneys are satisfied counseling from the sidelines. Not Rob. He takes the role of “team player” seriously and gets in the game. The perfect example? One of Rob’s practice areas is construction law – and he is the first attorney to be named Chairman of the Board of the Heart of America Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, the pre-eminent trade association for the merit shop contractor. His firsthand industry knowledge is where his construction clients get their edge.

While Rob is knowledgeable in all areas of construction law, his specialties are contract and payment disputes that usually involve mechanics’ liens and payment bond claims. On the employment law side, Rob’s emphasis includes negotiation and litigation of employment contracts, especially noncompete agreements. Rob also handles all kinds of sophisticated and high-stakes business litigation, from fraud and tortious interference cases to claims involving breach of asset purchase agreements.

Rob currently serves as special construction counsel to Platte County, Mo. He has also handled numerous pro bono employment cases over the years at the request of Kansas federal court judges.

Rob began his career as a law clerk for the Honorable Hiram H. Ward, Chief U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina. He moved to Kansas City in 1988 to practice general business litigation at a large local law firm for four years before joining Levy & Craig in 1992.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
> Has handled scores of trials, including jury trials in both state and
   federal court, bench trials and arbitration hearings.
> Has handled numerous construction payment dispute cases, many
   involving more than $1 million at stake.
> Obtained judgment for contractor in excess of $500,000 against owner
   of development project in Branson, Mo.
> Obtained complete defense verdict for surety on bad faith claim
> Obtained permanent injunction, damages award of more than $100,000
   and contempt citation against former employee of local staffing agency
   that left to set up a competing business in violation of her noncompete
   agreement.
> Obtained summary judgment in fraud and breach of stock purchase
   case claiming damages in excess of $20 million.
> Obtained summary judgment in tortious interference case claiming
   damages in excess of $2 million.
> Obtained judgment in excess of $250,000 for purchaser of fast-food
   franchises for misrepresentation and breach of warranties in asset
   purchase agreement.
> Obtained directed verdict in foreclosure action seeking more than $3
   million and appointment of receiver for apartment complex.
> Handled and negotiated favorable confidential settlement for
   architectural firm sued for malpractice relating to design of psychiatric
   ward of hospital in which patient committed suicide.
> Handled and negotiated favorable confidential settlement on trademark
   infringement and unfair competition claim by national carpet cleaning
   company.

ACTIVITIES
> Chairman of the Board, Associated Builders and Contractors, Heart of
   America Chapter, 2007
> Centurions Leadership Program, Greater Kansas City Chamber of
   Commerce, 2004-06
> Member, Earl E. O’Connor American Inn of Court, since 2003
> Member, American Bar Association, since 1986
       > Litigation Section
       > Construction and Commercial & Business Litigation Committees
> Member, Kansas Bar Association, since 1988
       > Construction Law Committee
> Member, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, since 1988
       > Construction Law Committee
> Member, Johnson County (Kan.) Bar Association, since 1988
> Member, Christian Legal Society, since 2002
> Director and past president, Christian Legal Resources, Inc., since
   1995
> Volunteer, Heart of America United Way, since 1994
> Volunteer coach for childrens’ sports

PUBLISHED WORKS/PRESENTATIONS
> Author, “Keeping It Out of Court,” The Kansas City Star, Feb. 6, 2007
> Author, “Missouri Construction Prompt Pay Act,” Missouri Lawyers
   Weekly, Sept. 23, 2002, Edition
> Presenter, “10 $teps to Effective Ca$h Flow Management,” “The New
   Missouri Retainage Law,” “Organizing a Collection System,” “Dealing
   With Delay,” Associated Builders and Contractors, 2002, 2003
> Presenter, “Make Your Contracts Effective,” “You’ve Earned It, Here’s
   How to Keep It!,” National Pavement Expo West, annual convention,
   2002, 2004, 2006

EDUCATION
> J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law, Winston Salem, N.C.,
   1986
       > Honors: National Order of Barristers
       > Associate Chief Justice, Moot Court Board
       > Marshall-Wythe Moot Court Competition
       > Best Brief and Semi-Finalist, Edwin M. Stanley Intramural Moot
          Court Competition
> B.A., Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill., 1983
       > Varsity Football
       > Sportswriter, The Wheaton Record
       > Volunteer, YoungLife and Salt Company youth ministries

BAR ADMISSIONS
> North Carolina, 1986
> Missouri, 1988
> Kansas, 1989
> U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, 1989
> U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, 1989
> U.S. Circuit Court for the 10th Circuit, 1990

HONORS
> Best of the Bar, Kansas City Business Journal, 2003
> Super Lawyers, since 2005