Robert A. Stines
Partner
Phone: (813) 488-2928
Fax: (813) 488-2960
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Pamela R. Geer
Call(813) 488-2930Email[email protected]
If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.
About
About
Robert Stines is a Partner in the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Consumer Products Industry Team and Emerging Industries Team.
Excellence, hard work, and innovation are the defining qualities of my litigation practice representing professionals, and small-to-medium size businesses. No matter the size of the client or the type of case, I genuinely strive to provide the best, result-oriented service possible. This has been the driving force throughout my journey starting in college as a performing arts major, to my career in the United States Army as a military intelligence analyst, to continuing my sense of service by handling pro bono matters in law school, then graduating magna cum laude in my class, and now my never-ending desire to evolve as the digital-age presents new challenges for my clients.
In representing professionals and SMBs, I litigate matters that affect companies interacting through the Internet and digital platforms such as cybersecurity, privacy, cyber-insurance, and e-discovery. To better assist clients with data privacy and cybersecurity matters, I earned a certificate as an IAPP US-law privacy professional. I have represented companies and professionals who have been sued for cyber-incidents where funds and private data were misappropriated.
A major component of my practice is representing professionals in contract disputes, legal malpractice lawsuits, unfair trade practices, employment agreements, shareholder disputes, and business torts. I have significant experience defending attorneys, insurance agents, and financial advisors in professional malpractice claims. I have also represented executives and key employees in breach of contract, restrictive covenants and equity disputes.
In addition to speaking engagements, I have written articles analyzing the evolution of cyber law, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. I also host a cyber law blog at techlawX.com.
When I am not fighting on behalf of my clients, I am fighting in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments around the world.
With a reputation for championing innovation and creativity, my goal is to provide 21st century legal service that continuously evolves to keep pace with the ever-changing business landscape.
Representative Matters
Representative Matters
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Defended law firm involved in cybersecurity incident that resulted in clients making claims against the law firm.
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Represented professional in insurance coverage action where insurer denied coverage for cybersecurity incident.
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Handled various matters involving cyber related issues, such as hacking, spoofing, social media, online applications, cyber insurance, e-contracts, and e-discovery.
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Pursued breach of contract claims on behalf of financial advisory firm with favorable results.
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Defended provider of managed care health plans in contract disputes and compensation matters.
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Prevailed in numerous insurance agency, agent and broker professional liability actions.
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Resolved litigation against major clinical testing laboratory in claims related to breach of contract and unfair trade practices.
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Successfully defended numerous law firms and attorneys in legal malpractice actions.
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Represented producers and performers related to contract disputes.
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Pursued claims on behalf of shareholders related to the formation and subsequent breach of equity agreements.
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Negotiated favorable agreements on behalf of multinational private equity, alternative asset management and financial services corporation in real estate matters.
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Litigated breach of contract claims on behalf of national restoration, reconstruction, and technical services company.
Honors & Awards
Honors & Awards
- Tampa Magazine - Top Lawyers 2018 - Professional Malpractice Law: Defendants
- Tampa Bay Business Journal - Up & Comers (2014)
- Florida Super Lawyers - Rising Stars (2014-2019)
- Victor O. Wehle Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy
- Paul Barnard Award for Clinic Excellence
- United States Army Achievement Medal
- United States Army Commendation Medal
Professional Activities
Professional Activities
- Federal Bar Association
- Board Member, Gasparilla Film Festival
- American Bar Association (Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Committee)
- The Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
Speaking Engagements
- Panelist, "The Legal and Personal Financial Risks of Cyber Breaches," Workers' Compensation Institute Cybersecurity Forum 2020 (September 16, 2020).
- Panelist, "Managing Risk at the Intersection of Cybersecurity, Data Privacy and Business," American Bar Association's Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Conference (March 6, 2020).
- Panelist, “Issues in Cyber Coverages for Law Firms and Their Clients Alike,” American Bar Association, TIPS Section Conference (May 1, 2019).
- Presenter, "Living in the Cyber-Age: Hackers, Computer Fraud Insurance, and Litigation," Florida Defense Lawyers Association Annual Meeting (September 15, 2018).
- Panelist, “The Changing Landscape of Professional Liability," Association for Corporate Growth Tampa (May 2, 2018).
Perspectives
Perspectives
News
Insights
Events
Media
Media
Publications
- "Paper Discovery is Dead (Or Soon To Be)," Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine (May, 2021).
- "Think About Digital Forensics When You Conduct E-Discovery," Today's General Counsel (December 27, 2020).
- "Client Alert: Five Cyber Issues Companies Should Consider in the Midst of COVID-19," Freeborn & Peters LLP (March 23, 2020).
- "Client Alert: Florida Consumer Data Privacy Act: A law that recognizes privacy rights in the information age," Freeborn & Peters LLP (January 23, 2020).
- "Blockchain 101: A Lawyer’s (Brief) Guide," TortSource (Spring 2019).
- "Fla. Lawmakers Propose New Law to Address Companies’ Increasing Use of Biometrics," Daily Business Review (April 1, 2019).
- "What Makes A Cyber Data Breach So Expensive?," Corporate Compliance Insights, (December 18, 2018).
- "Virtual Reality Goes on Trial," Communications of the ACM, (November 29, 2018).
- "‘Privacy’ Doesn’t Equal ‘Security’: The Importance of Knowing the Difference," Corporate Compliance Insights, (November 21, 2018).
- "Professional Liability in Information Technology," IT Business Net, (October 11, 2018).
- "Computer fraud insurance in the cyberage," Thomson Reuters Westlaw Journal Insurance, (July 13, 2018).
- "Cyberclaims and litigation against insurance professionals," Thomson Reuters Westlaw Journal Insurance Coverage, (March 2, 2018).
- "Odd Laws Governing the Military," Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine, (August 2015).