"Parker 'understands his clients’ business needs and looks for solutions to complex international disputes that align with them.' 'He is incredibly knowledgeable and experienced, and represents with zeal.'"
- 2019 IAM Patent 1000: The World's Leading Patent Professionals

"'Robert comes up with practical solutions that reflect an excellent understanding of his clients’ businesses and products. He coordinates his team extremely well and is a friendly, accessible lawyer who is easy to work with.'"
- 2022 IAM Patent 1000: The World's Leading Patent Professionals

Overview

Robert Parker’s ("Bob") practice focuses on complex matters involving a broad range of technology, regulatory, and commercial issues. A strategist, trusted advisor, and team leader, Bob brings to his engagements over three decades of litigation experience in a wide variety of state and federal forums. His clientele ranges from Fortune 50 multinationals to fast-growing startups, and he has handled cases dealing with subjects from power plants to LEDs to diamonds.

He has represented clients in intellectual property disputes in federal district courts and at the International Trade Commission (ITC). He also has litigated in state courts, the Court of International Trade, and numerous federal agencies. He has litigated against the U.S. government in contracts cases and regulatory disputes. The diversity and depth of his professional background makes him uniquely skilled at managing the most complex cases, as well as an effective, innovative strategist. His clients have recognized his keen ability to integrate their legal and business interests into strategies that protect and advance their overall, long-term objectives.

Bob was asked, along with members of the federal judiciary, leading academics, and practitioners from across the country, to be a founding member of the faculty for Baylor Law School's LL.M. program in litigation management.

An experienced arbitrator and appellate attorney, Bob has served as lead counsel in both domestic and international arbitrations, and has represented clients in eight of the 12 U.S. Courts of Appeals. He has also managed complex internal investigations addressing accounting, regulatory, and compliance issues at Boeing, Fannie Mae, Xerox, Rent-A-Center, and UnumProvident. He was a lead attorney for the Rudman Commission, which restructured Nasdaq, establishing what is now known as FINRA. 

A respected voice and thought leader in the profession, Bob is a frequent speaker at conferences around the world. He is a past president of the ITC Trial Lawyers Association, and served as counsel to the ITC chairman. A Vice Chair of the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s Global Series Committee, he has also lectured on legal matters in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He has taught at Johns Hopkins, Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, and The George Washington University Law School. He is currently a member of the faculty of Baylor Law School in Texas.

Bob also has an extensive track record of service. Currently, he is on the board of the Juvenile Law Center, and an advisor to the Committee of Concerned Scientists. He previously served on the boards of The National Synagogue in Washington, D.C., and the National Council for Adoption, which he served as chairman from 2003-05.

He has participated in a number of pro bono matters, as lead attorney and supervisor of junior lawyers. He has represented disabled individuals in lawsuits against the federal government and as counsel of record on amicus briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Representative Experience

Significant matters in which Bob has been a lead counsel include:

Successfully represented Nichia Corporation in the Eastern District of Texas, the Central District of California, and the International Trade Commission in proceedings involving LEDs and laser diodes. Prevailed at trial on validity and infringement of three Nichia LED patents. Secured dismissal before answer with no payment in a lawsuit brought by a major Taiwan technical university. Currently represent Nichia in district court litigations and two related arbitration proceedings.

Represented Dentsply in an ITC Section 337 proceeding involving materials used in dental applications. The proceeding settled favorably to Dentsply.

Defended Raymarine as co-counsel in ITC Section 337 investigations involving marine navigation equipment. Case settled favorably to client.

Counseled a vendor of Internet-based services on the negotiation of a joint development agreement with a university-based software developer.

Defended DVD Format/Logo Licensing Corp. before the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board and in federal district court in connection with Lanham Act, antitrust, and unfair competition claims concerning the familiar DVD logo and the specifications for the standard DVD formats. The district court claims were dismissed, and plaintiff withdrew its appeal to the Ninth Circuit. The TTAB dismissed most of the challenger's claims, and challenger withdrew. Represents DVD FLLC in licensing and customs matters. Drafted the form of the DVD Format-Logo Licensing agreement in use since 2000.

Represented Doosan Infracore and related entities in matters arising from their $4.9 billion acquisition of the Bobcat® construction equipment and other businesses; successfully resolved a nine-figure purchase-price adjustment claim in a proceeding before an accounting expert and in New York state court litigation. Represented Doosan's interests in litigation brought by the government of Iraq involving the U.N.'s oil-for-food program; prevailed on all issues.

On behalf of Hitachi Metals (formerly NEOMAX/Sumitomo Special Metals), filed the first ITC Section 337 proceeding brought by a Japanese company, securing a general exclusion order regarding rare-earth magnets; successfully defended a collateral challenge to the ITC order, and through a series of lawsuits, established a unique enforcement network.

Represented Nidec Corporation in patent infringement litigation (E.D. Tex.) involving spindle motors; the case was resolved by a favorable settlement.

Represented a major Japanese firm in domestic and international arbitrations involving licensing and construction contracts in the power industry. Client prevailed in each case.

Represented a U.S. company in an FTC proceeding involving "Made in U.S.A." claim. Settled favorably for client.

Represented NEC Corporation at trial and on appeal in a lawsuit asserting a violation of NEC's due process rights in a Commerce Department antidumping investigation; also represented NEC in several matters relating to an antidumping order involving televisions, resulting in a multi-million dollar refund of duties; represented NEC's interests in the AMD v. Intel antitrust lawsuit and before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in an accounting matter.

Represented Wilcox Electric (now a subsidiary of Thomson - CSF) in the first case brought under the Federal Aviation Administration's alternative dispute resolution program, and an appeal of the FAA's decision in the Eighth Circuit.

Advised a U.S. company in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding exportation of marine motors. The FBI commended the company for its handling of the situation.

Successfully defended Campaign for America on a complaint filed by a U.S. Senator before the Federal Election Commission. The Commission rejected the complaint.

Represented the California Public Utilities Commission at trial before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission concerning contracts executed following the bankruptcy of Pacific Gas and Electric. The case, following trial, settled as part of a global CPUC-PGE agreement.

Advised a major Asian company in connection with the termination of a long-standing license agreement; the matter was resolved without litigation through a unique "technology audit."

Represented SES Americom (now SES-New Skies) in litigation for breach of contract stemming from a corporate acquisition; the Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's summary judgement in favor of SES.

Represented Carnival Corporation in the U.S. Court of International Trade and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in a decade-long dispute with the U.S. government over harbor maintenance fees assessed on cruise lines. Resulted in a partial victory for Carnival.

Represented Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in an ITC Section 337 proceeding involving air conditioning condensers.

Represented Americable, Inc. in federal district court litigation against the U.S. government involving cable systems on military bases. The D.C. Circuit reversed a district court ruling in favor of the government.

Represented the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools in litigation against the U.S. government involving H-1B visa programs. The case settled favorably for the client.

On behalf of National Music Publishers' Association, prepared the first draft and negotiated terms of the Digital Audio Home Recording Act.

Represented the Foreign Credit Insurance Association in litigation (Pennsylvania, Florida, Kansas, and Texas) involving international political- and commercial-risk insurance claims.

Honors & Recognitions

Past president of the ITC Trial Lawyers Association

Intellectual Asset Management’s (IAM) Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals (2019-2023)
Ranked in Litigation in the D.C. Metro Area

Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers (2012-2023)

Ranked AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell®

Newsroom

News

Speaking Engagements

Lectured on legal matters in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Frequent lecturer in Tokyo and Seoul.

Presented at Federal Circuit Bar Association "Global Series" conferences, 2017 - present.

Lectured throughout Europe on behalf of U.S. trade and economic policies at the request of the U.S. State Department.

Publications

Published in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Journal of World Trade Law, North Carolina Journal of International Law & Commercial Regulation, St. Louis University Law Review, and other publications.

Community & Professional

The Federal Circuit Bar Association - Global Series Committee, Vice Chair

Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Board Member, 2023-present

Juvenile Law Center, Board Member, 2022-present; Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee; Member of the Executive Committee

Yeshivas Elimelech, Board Member, 2023-present

National Council for Adoption, Board Member, 1993-2003, and Chair, 2003-2005

Advisor to Committee of Concerned Scientists

Ohev Sholom – The National Synagogue in Washington, D.C., Board Member, 2000-2004

Adjunct faculty: Johns Hopkins University, Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, The George Washington University Law School, and Baylor University Law School (current)

Education

J.D., University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School (cum laude)

B.A., Johns Hopkins University (with university and departmental honors)

Bar & Court Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia 

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of International Trade
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
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