Rob Blank is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. He is engaged in civil trial and appellate practice, concentrating in the defense of product liability, casualty defense, professional liability and commercial litigation. In his product liability practice, Rob represents manufacturers of automobiles, industrial machinery and power tools, and currently serves as Co-National Counsel for Product Liability Litigation Services for Anheuser-Busch InBev.

In his casualty practice he defends theme parks, retail clients, schools, trucking companies and other businesses for various tort claims. Other aspects of Rob's practice include commercial litigation and representing professionals against claims of negligence and malpractice.

Rob has served as administrative partner of the firm's Tampa office for over 10 years.  He was selected as an "Attorney to Watch" in 2012 by Attorney at Law Magazine, has been named as a Florida Super Lawyer and has been recognized as Florida Trend's Legal Elite, as well as maintaining memberships in the Florida Defense Lawyers' Association and the Defense Research Institute.  Rob is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. He received his B.A. from the University of South Florida in 1988, then completed his J.D. at Stetson University College of Law in 1992, graduating magna cum laude. He served as a Notes Editor of the Stetson Law Review and published a Case Note in the Stetson Law Review in 1991. As a member of the ABA Trial Team Rob won the National Invitational Trial Competition “Tournament of Champions,” and was Southeast Regional Champion for the ABA National Trial Competition.

 

• Education

  Stetson University, College of Law - J.D., magna cum laude, 1992
  

  • Member, ABA Trial Team (winner, National Invitational Trial Competition “Tournament of Champions," Southeast Regional Champion for the ABA National Trial Competition).
  • Notes Editor, Stetson Law Review

  University of South Florida - B.A., Business Management, 1988
  

• Honors

  • Attorneys to Watch 2012, Attorney at Law Magazine
  • Listed in Florida Super Lawyers 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
  • Florida Trend Magazine Florida Legal Elite 2010, 2012

• Bar Admissions

  • Florida (1992)

• Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
  • U.S. District Courts of Florida (Northern, Middle, Southern)

• Notable Cases

  • Gomez v. RCMA >>
  • McKnight v. Sea World of Florida LLC. >>
  • Saunders v Busch Entertainment Corporation >>
  • Loida Coral, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Wilfredo Carlitos Coral, Deceased, v. Garrard Crane Service, Inc. and Garrard Carpentry, Inc. >>
  • Robert Myers and Joyce Myers v. Cook / Tampa Bay Moving Systems, Inc. >>
  • Larue Richter, M.D. v. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. and Delta International Machinery Corporation >>
  • Moncrieff v. Toyota Motor Corporation, Case No. 04-2411-CI-8, Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Florida. >>
  • Strait v. Busch Entertainment Corporation >>
  • Littell v. General Motors >>
  • Frank Nussbaum v. Reebok International, Ltd. and the Sports Authority, Inc. >>
  • National Healthcorp Ltd. Partnership v. Cascio >>
  • National Healthcorp Ltd. Partnership v. Judith Anne Close >>
  • Goss v. Busch Entertainment Corporation >>
  • Alaimo v. Home Depot USA, Inc. >>
  • Thorne v. Temples >>

• Professional & Civic Activities

  • The Florida Bar, Trial Lawyers Section, Member
  • The Florida Bar, Small Claims Rule Committee (1996-1997)
  • Hillsborough County Bar Association, Trial Lawyers Section, Member
  • American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section, Member
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Florida Defense Lawyers Association
  • American Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Florida Chapter, Board of Directors

• Articles & Presentations

  • “Providing Attorney’s Fees in a Pest Control Contract – Who Benefits?,” Pest Control, Author
  • “The Expanding Safety Responsibilities of Crane Operators,” Greater Florida Constructor Magazine, Author
  • “Pulling the Nails out of the Avallone Coffin Should Excess Liability Coverage on a Self Insurance Fund Constitute a Waiver of Sovereign Immunity?,” 20 Stetson Law Review 971, Author

• Ratings and Certifications

  • AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer