Robert S.Walker (Bob)

Partner

Cleveland + 1.216.586.7249

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Bob Walker has tried cases and represented clients across the country for over 35 years. His breadth of experience crosses virtually every litigation practice in the Firm at the trial and appellate levels. Bob has litigated individual and class action product liability, nuisance, premises liability, lawyer's professional liability, and personal injury claims.

He has defended actions involving myriad products such as automobiles, pharmaceutical drugs, and combustion systems. Bob also has handled trade secrets and contract claims for plaintiffs and defendants and was a key part of the trial team representing Gould in a series of international trade secrets theft matters. He has litigated several corporate control and securities fraud cases, including for Bridgestone/Firestone, defended Alien Tort Claims Act claims, and led the team that recently litigated and won a major ICC arbitration.

Bob led the team that obtained summary judgment on behalf of General Motors in a $450 million claim brought by the UAW; prevailed in an evidentiary hearing and obtained a TRO stopping Developers Diversified from being terminated "for cause" as manager of 50 properties across the country, ultimately obtaining summary judgment in DDR's favor; headed Timken's trial team that won a jury trial against Bosch, recovering all the monetary and injunctive relief Timken had prayed for in the complaint; litigated and settled the VEBA retiree benefit class action brought against Goodyear; and prevailed in a lead poisoning case on behalf of The Sherwin-Williams Company.

Bob is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.

Experience

  • GM prevails as Sixth Circuit affirms summary judgment in $450 million dispute with UAWJones Day successfully represented General Motors LLC ("New GM") in an appeal of the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the UAW in Michigan federal district court. The district court's judgment was affirmed on appeal.
  • GM defeats appeal by class action plaintiffs in workers compensation challengeOn April 30, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled in favor of Jones Day's client, General Motors LLC ("GM"), affirming the district court's grant of summary judgment to GM in a putative class action brought by GM retirees under the federal Labor Management Relations Act and under Michigan law.
  • DDR wins jury verdict in five week trial over development contractOn August 18, 2012, after a five week trial, a Michigan state court jury handed down a full defense verdict for Jones Day's client, DDR Corp., a major shopping center owner and developer, in a breach of contract suit seeking over $200 million in damages.
  • Milliman successfully defends against various claims, including restitution under ERISA, fraudulent misrepresentation and actuarial malpracticeJones Day represented Milliman, Inc., as co-counsel, and briefed a successful summary judgment motion, in the Northern District of Ohio, in an action brought by the Trustees of the Excavating, Building Material and Construction Drivers Union Local No. 436 Pension Fund, which had asserted several claims against Milliman, its former actuarial firm, including restitution under ERISA, fraudulent misrepresentation and actuarial malpractice.
  • Kirtland Capital sells portfolio company PVC Container to Castle HarlanJones Day advised Kirtland Capital Partners in connection with its sale of PVC Container Corporation, a Kirtland Capital Partners portfolio company and a manufacturer of plastic bottles and containers, to Castle Harlan, Inc. and concurrent acquisition by Castle Harlan, Inc. of Pretium Packaging LLC, a provider of custom blow molded packaging solutions with a primary focus in the food, pharmaceutical and personal care markets.
  • DDR successfully prevents being terminated as the manager of Coventry Real Estate Fund II propertiesJones Day presented testimony, conducted cross-examination, and argued successfully a TRO motion on behalf of client Developers Diversified Realty Corporation, which stopped a purported "for cause" termination of DDR as manager of over 50 properties.
  • Timken wins federal district court jury trial on breach of contract claims against Robert Bosch LLCOn May 29, 2009, Jones Day client The Timken Company achieved a complete victory in a jury trial in federal district court in Akron, Ohio, against Robert Bosch LLC, on Timken's breach of contract claims.
  • Goodrich pursues contract claims against major defense contractorJones Day provided advice and conducted the arbitration regarding contractual indemnity claims against major defense contractor.
  • Parker Hannifin prevails in two appeals of contract interpretation caseJones Day successfully represented Parker Hannifin Corporation in two appeals in significant contract interpretation cases involving indemnity claims.
  • Goodyear defends against retiree class action resulting in a landmark VEBA settlementGoodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Inc. retained Jones Day to negotiate a resolution regarding the elimination of Goodyear's retiree health care liability for retirees from bargaining units represented by the United Steelworkers (USW).
  • Parker Hannifin defends against nationwide products liability class actionJones Day represented Parker Hannifin Corporation in a nationwide products liability class action and successfully settled the case.
  • Sherwin-Williams wins preliminary injunction decision in first case invalidating contingency fee agreement on due process groundsThe Court of Common Pleas (Lucas County, Ohio) dismissed the City of Toledo's lawsuit against a group of former manufacturers of lead pigment and lead paint, including Jones Day client, The Sherwin Williams Company.
  • Cooper Tire & Rubber successfully defends against premises liability and products caseJones Day successfully defended Cooper Tire & Rubber Company in a premises liability/products case in trial court and on appeal, and also obtained a judgment for indemnity against the employer of the plaintiff.
  • Mellon Bank dismissal of actuarial malpractice action is affirmed by 6th CircuitOn behalf of Mellon Bank, Jones Day briefed a successful dismissal motion in an actuarial malpractice action.
  • Sherwin-Williams successfully defends against City of Toledo's public nuisance and related tort claimsJones Day successfully briefed and argued a motion to dismiss the City of Toledo's public nuisance and related tort claims against client The Sherwin-Williams Company.
  • Sherwin-Williams successfully defends judgment in lead paint poisoning case on appealJones Day successfully represented The Sherwin-Williams Company in a lead paint poisoning case.
  • R.J. Reynolds Tobacco summary judgment in Tennessee price discrimination case by cigarette wholesalers is affirmed by Sixth CircuitJones Day successfully defended R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) in response to Robinson-Patman claims filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee by more than 20 cigarette wholesalers.
  • Cooper Tire & Rubber wins Ohio court judgment in insurance recovery action against TravelersOn behalf of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, Jones Day successfully obtained a judgment of 100% insurance coverage for an underlying intentional tort action.
  • GM successfully defends summary judgment appeal in personal injury caseJones Day successfully defended General Motors Corporation in a summary judgment appeal in a case involving serious personal injury to an employee.
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    Speaking Engagements

    • May 19, 2016
      PLI's Ohio New Lawyers Training 2016
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