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“[A] top-notch litigator; superb legal writer; and skilled wordsmith who transforms complex legal arguments into simple and compelling narratives in the courtroom.” – Benchmark Litigation
Josh Robbins, a former federal prosecutor, is Chair of the Firm’s White Collar and Investigations Practice and has repeatedly been named by the Daily Journal as one of the Top White Collar Lawyers in California, by Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star, and by Best Lawyers in America as a leading white collar and securities litigator.
Mr. Robbins has represented companies and individuals in trials, appeals, and government investigations involving hundreds of millions of dollars, typically involving allegations of fraud, kickbacks, RICO violations, or antitrust issues. Many of his cases have received national and international public attention, including matters reported in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, CNN, and CNBC. The Daily Journal named his jury trial win in an antitrust and racketeering case one of California’s Top Defense Verdicts of the year.
Mr. Robbins previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California, where he was lead counsel in various federal jury trials and appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, as well as numerous grand jury investigations of fraud, kickbacks, and corruption. Among other matters, he led the prosecution of a $900 million health care kickback scheme described as the largest insurance fraud case in California history. For his work on a major securities fraud trial, he was awarded the SEC’s Director’s Award for Criminal Coordination.
Mr. Robbins is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Harvard College. After law school, he served as law clerk for the Honorable Stanley Marcus of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
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05
Nov
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Buchalter Adds Former Federal Prosecutor to Los Angeles Office
Firm News
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Buchalter is pleased to announce that Kevin Lally has joined the firm as a Shareholder in the Los Angeles office. A member of the Litigation […]
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03
Oct
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Buchalter Attorneys Recipient of 2025 Benchmark Litigation Top Stars Award
Awards
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Buchalter is proud to announce the 2025 litigators of the Benchmark Litigation Top Stars Award to Sanjay Bhandari, Joshua Robbins, Michael “Sam” Sandmire, and Daniel […]
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15
Aug
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2025 Best Lawyers in America
Awards
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Buchalter, is pleased to announce that 99 lawyers have been included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Best Lawyers was founded […]
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20
May
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Joshua Robbins Quoted in Law360
Press
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Trump’s Potential Witness Could Be Defense ‘Dynamite’ By Phillip Bantz, Law360 May 17, 2024 “Whether Trump’s team calls Costello to testify depends, in part, on […]
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08
May
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Joshua Robbins Quoted in Law360
Press
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In Story Of Sex And Lies, Can Cohen Write Final Chapter? By Phillip Bantz May 8, 2024, Law360 “The government has been trying to lay […]
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21
Feb
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Antitrust Trial Victory by Shareholders Joshua Robbins and Roger Scott Named as One of California’s Top Defense Verdicts of the Year
Awards
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The Daily Journal has named as one of the Top Defense Verdicts for 2023 a complete defense victory that Buchalter Shareholders Joshua Robbins and Roger […]
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18
Dec
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Joshua Robbins Quoted in Law360
Press
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Jack Smith’s ‘Masterstroke’ Supreme Court Move Has Risks Phillip Bantz December 15, 2023, Law360 For instance, the Supreme Court could hear arguments from both sides […]
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13
Dec
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Buchalter’s Joshua Robbins Named Among California’s 2023 Top White Collar Lawyers by the Daily Journal
Awards
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For the third consecutive year, the Daily Journal has named shareholder Joshua M. Robbins to its list of the Top White Collar Lawyers in California. […]
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19
Oct
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Joshua Robbins Quoted in Law360
Press
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Why Trump’s Gag Order Appeal Is Expected To Fail Phillip Bantz October 18, 2023 “The chances of her ordering a stay are between zero and […]
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06
Oct
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Buchalter Attorneys Recipient of 2024 Benchmark Litigation Top Stars Award
Firm News
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Buchalter is proud to announce the 2024 litigators of the Benchmark Litigation Top Stars Award to Sanjay Bhandari, Joshua Robbins, Michael “Sam” Sandmire, and Daniel […]
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29
Aug
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Buchalter Wins Complete Defense Jury Verdict to End RICO and Antitrust Case
Firm News
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On August 28, 2023, a trial team from Buchalter obtained a complete defense jury verdict for long-time client WhiteWater West Industries, Ltd., the world’s leading […]
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17
Aug
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2024 Best Lawyers in America
Awards
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Buchalter is pleased to announce over 80 of the Firm’s lawyers have been included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Best […]
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04
Aug
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Joshua Robbins Quoted in Law360
Press
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Buckle Up: Trump Braces For Chaotic Legal, Election Calendar August 4, 2023 By Phillip Bantz, Law360 “The latter argument apparently didn’t sway Judge Cannon and […]
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18
Apr
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Joshua Robbins Quoted in Bloomberg Law
Press
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Bloomberg Law Ex-Cognizant Execs Challenge DOJ Corporate Cooperation Strategy April 18, 2023 By: Holly Barker and Ben Penn “If the court in this case agrees […]
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07
Dec
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Buchalter’s Joshua Robbins Named Among California’s 2022 Top White Collar Lawyers by the Daily Journal
Awards
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Buchalter is pleased to announce Shareholder Joshua M. Robbins has been named among California’s 2022 Top White Collar Lawyers by the Daily Journal. Joshua Robbins, Co-Chair […]
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07
Nov
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Joshua Robbins, Appointed to the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Awards
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Buchalter is pleased to announce Shareholder Joshua Robbins was appointed to the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel for the U.S. District Court for the Central […]
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29
Sep
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Buchalter Attorneys Recipient of 2023 Benchmark Litigation Top Stars Award
Awards
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Buchalter is proud to announce the 2023 litigators of the Benchmark Litigation Top Stars Award to Sanjay Bhandari, Joshua Robbins, Michael “Sam” Sandmire, and Daniel […]
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18
Aug
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Buchalter Attorneys Named 2023 “Best Lawyers in America”
Awards
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The firm is pleased to announce over 60 Buchalter lawyers have been included in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Best Lawyers […]
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30
Mar
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Buchalter Strengthens White Collar & Investigations Practice Group
Firm News
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March 30, 2022. Buchalter recently added a number of new attorneys to round out its White Collar and Investigations Practice, including the former Acting United […]
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01
Dec
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Buchalter’s Joshua Robbins Named Among California’s 2021 Top White Collar Lawyers by the Daily Journal
Awards
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Buchalter is pleased to announce Shareholder Joshua M. Robbins has been named among California’s 2021 Top White Collar Lawyers by the Daily Journal. Joshua Robbins, […]
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30
Aug
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Buchalter Wins Complete Defense Verdict in Trial of Alleged Whistleblower Retaliation Claims
Firm News
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On August 26, 2021, a Buchalter team led by shareholder Joshua M. Robbins and special counsel Thomas Rickeman, won a complete defense verdict for client […]
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21
Oct
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Joshua Robbins Recognized by Benchmark Litigation as a “California Litigation Star”
Awards
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Buchalter is pleased to announce that Shareholder, Joshua Robbins, was recognized by Benchmark Litigation as a “California Litigation Star” and is also rated as a […]
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07
Jul
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Buchalter Launches White Collar & Investigations Practice with Hire of Former Federal Prosecutor
Firm News
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Los Angeles, Calif., July 7 – Buchalter is pleased to welcome and announce that Joshua Robbins has joined the Firm as Chair of its newly […]
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Publication
The Supreme Court’s Narrowing Of Mail And Wire Fraud May Affect RICO Litigation In The Health Care Industry
July 15th, 2024
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Publication
Must the Government Ensure Defendants Equal Access to Overseas Evidence?
April 11th, 2024
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Publication
Valeant Ruling May Pave Way For Patent-Based FCA Suits
March 6th, 2024
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Presentation
Joshua Robbins and David Balfour, Speakers at the American Jewish Medical Association
March 4th, 2024
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Publication
Rethinking DOJ’s Silent Goodbye
December 13th, 2023
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Presentation
Joshua Robbins, Panelist at the Association of Business Trial Lawyers Annual Conference
October 14th, 2023
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Publication
Supreme Court’s Remand of FDIC Enforcement Action: Any Larger Impact on Agency Deference?
- Download
June 5th, 2023
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Publication
The People vs. ChatGPT?
- Download
March 15th, 2023
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Presentation
Joshua M. Robbins, Speaker at Law@Tech 2023
March 2nd, 2023
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Publication
Ninth Circuit bars cannabis companies from pursuing RICO claims
- Download
February 9th, 2023
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Publication
In Bittner v. United States, the rule of lenity awaits its renaissance
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October 27th, 2022
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Publication
The Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act in False Claims Act Cases: The Coming Battleground
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September 28th, 2022
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Publication
High Court Ruling Boosts Defenses In DOJ Health Care Cases
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July 11th, 2022
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Publication
Application of Wire Fraud Statute to Digital Asset Insider Trading
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June 22nd, 2022
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Publication
Increasing EKRA Enforcement May Expose Gaps in the Statute
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April 20th, 2022
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Presentation
Joshua Robbins, Presenter at California Society of Healthcare Attorneys
April 1st, 2022
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Presentation
Joshua Robbins, Moderator at Harvard Law School Association of Orange County Virtual Panel
February 17th, 2022
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Publication
UNLEASHING THE LEVIATHAN: Tips for Companies Referring Cases to Law Enforcement
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September 28th, 2021
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Presentation
Joshua Robbins, Presenter at LACBA’s 18th Annual Healthcare Law Compliance Symposium Part III
October 21st, 2021
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Publication
Treasury’s New Bank Secrecy Act Whistleblower Program
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January 25th, 2021
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Publication
New Whistleblower Program May Lead to Surge in Bank Secrecy Act Enforcement
January 22nd, 2021
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Publication
SEC Enforcement Expansion May Face Constitutional Limits
January 20th, 2021
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Publication
US Congress makes sweeping changes to AML enforcement
January 13th, 2021
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Publication
Congress Makes Sweeping Changes to Money Laundering Enforcement
- Download
January 4th, 2021
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Publication
Enforcement 2020: Telehealth Providers Move to the Top of OIG’s Watch List
December 16th, 2020
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Publication
Buchalter COVID-19 Client Alert: Entrapment-by-Estoppel: A Potential Future Defense for Lenders in PPP Fraud Cases
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September 15th, 2020
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Publication
First Circuit Decision Underlines Risk of Criminal HIPAA Enforcement
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August 19th, 2020
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Publication
From Frying Pan to Fire: Strategic Issues When Reimbursement Disputes Turn Into Criminal Investigations
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July 28th, 2020
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Publication
DOJ Criminal Health Care Enforcement: It’s Not Just for Federal Programs Anymore
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July 14th, 2020
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Publication
Flynn Dismissal Raises Bar(r) for False Statements Prosecutions
May 13th, 2020
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Publication
COVID-19 Test Providers, Beware Kickback Enforcement Tool
April 16th, 2020
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Presentation
Joshua Robbins, Speaker at the Orange County Bar Association
October 10th, 2019
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Publication
5th Amendment Strategy For Parallel Civil, Criminal Litigation
August 8th, 2019
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Publication
Taking the Fifth in Parallel Criminal and Civil Proceedings
July 22nd, 2019
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Presentation
Joshua Robbins, Speaker at the Orange County Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Section
July 8th, 2019
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Presentation
Joshua Robbins, Speakers at the Orange County Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Section
July 18th, 2018
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Publication
New Lessons About Data Breaches And Insider Trading
July 11th, 2018
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Publication
Once More Unto The Breach
April 1st, 2018
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Publication
Gag Orders on Grand Jury Subpoenas to Banks: The Next First Amendment Frontier?
December 12th, 2017
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Publication
In Microsoft Case, the Supreme Court Considers Law Enforcement Power in a Globalized and Digital World
December 1st, 2017
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Presentation
Joshua Robbins, Speaker on the Bridgeport CLE Webinar
November 2nd, 2017
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Publication
Growing Risk of Insider Trading on Data Breaches
October 19th, 2017
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Presentation
Joshua Robbins, Speaker at the Orange County Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Section
August 8th, 2017
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Podcast
Joshua Robbins Attorney Spotlight
July 8th, 2021
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Podcast
Trade Secrets & Employee Mobility Podcast: White Collar Criminal Defense Intersects with Trade Secrets Law
November 4th, 2021
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Podcast
Joshua Robbins Featured on “Lawyers Who Care” Video Podcast
August 9th, 2022
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Podcast
Trade Secrets & Employee Mobility Podcast: Siry Investment, L.P. v. Farkondehpour
October 19th, 2022
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Business Trials
- Obtained complete defense jury verdict for multinational water attraction manufacturer in $200 million federal antitrust and RICO lawsuit; named by the Daily Journal as one of California’s Top Defense Verdicts of the year
- Obtained complete defense jury verdict and affirmance on appeal for behavioral health company in bet-the-company whistleblower retaliation lawsuit alleging termination for reporting fraud
- Obtained complete defense win and complete win on counterclaims (with attorney fees) in international arbitration involving cross-border biotech licensing agreement
- Obtained complete defense award (with attorney fees) for auto dealership executive in multi-million dollar arbitration against leading national dealership chain
- Obtained complete claimant award (with attorney fees) for multinational technology company in international arbitration against Pakistan contractor regarding theft of trade secrets, breach of contract, and employee raiding scheme
- Obtained favorable defense jury verdict and dismissal of 96% of claims in patent lawsuit between world’s largest waterslide manufacturers
- Defended semiconductor company in arbitration relating to sales representative agreement
Civil RICO, Fraud, and Antitrust
- Defended telecom startup in RICO and fraud lawsuit brought by major international telecom provider
- Obtained favorable settlement for health care network as plaintiff in antitrust lawsuit against major competitor
- Represented sports equipment retailer in RICO and fraud lawsuit against resellers
- Represented plaintiff in RICO lawsuit against global religious organization for human trafficking and forced labor violations
- Represented plaintiffs in RICO lawsuit against city government and officials for public corruption in municipal real estate transaction
- Represented major national marketing company as plaintiff in $100 million arbitration involving fraud in M&A transaction
- Defended artificial intelligence company in RICO and computer fraud lawsuit regarding alleged hacking and harassment campaign against opposing counsel in patent litigation
- Represented Maltese investment company as claimant in $200 million international arbitration against the government of Austria involving allegations of money laundering
Government Investigations and Enforcement
- Defended one of the nation’s largest COVID-19 testing services companies, which was raided by federal agents in a high-profile DOJ investigation covered by national press, as well as related state Attorney General enforcement actions, involving allegations of over $150 million in fraudulent testing claims
- Defended a major northern California government contractor in a high-profile DOJ public corruption investigation
- Defended a national behavioral health care provider, which was raided by federal agents in a high-profile DOJ investigation, involving allegations of more than $80 million in kickbacks and fraudulent claims
- Defended the former CEO of a leading international environmental services company in a DOJ investigation, involving allegations of fraud and FCPA violations
- Defended a national medical supply company in a DOJ investigation, involving allegations of kickbacks and fraudulent claims
- Defended the CEO of a national diagnostic laboratory in a DOJ investigation, involving allegations of more than $150 million in kickbacks and fraudulent claims
- Defended the CEO of a California-based COVID-19 testing services company in a DOJ investigation, involving allegations of more than $75 million in fraudulent claims
- Defended the former CEO of a lobbying organization in a DOJ investigation, involving allegations of fraud, tax evasion, and public corruption
- Defended a behavioral health company in investigation by a state attorney general, involving allegations of kickbacks and fraudulent claims
- Defended the COO of an auto equipment importer in a DOJ investigation, involving allegations of customs fraud
Mr. Robbins received his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School. He received his M.A.L.D. from Tufts University, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and his A.B., magna cum laude, from Harvard College, where he was awarded the John Harvard Scholarship.
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- President, Harvard Law School Association of Orange County