Robert A. Angle

Robert is a seasoned strategist who helps his clients resolve their most challenging disputes, including disputes involving federal and state agencies and attorneys general. He represents clients across all major industry sectors, including financial services, gaming, manufacturing, and technology. Robert works with clients to identify the result that will best meet their business needs and then devises a strategy to achieve that outcome, whether it involves seeking an early dismissal, negotiating a settlement, or taking a case through trial and appeal.

Robert has extensive experience helping clients navigate the complexities of regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, and administrative law. His deep understanding of government litigation processes and ability to effectively advocate for his clients’ interests have proven invaluable in achieving favorable outcomes in these challenging cases.

Robert also has a long track record of representing clients in multidistrict litigation, class actions, administrative hearings, and multiparty disputes in a wide range of matters, including significant data breaches, complex corporate ownership disputes, patent and trademark infringement cases, trade secret and antitrust matters, and high-value fraud and breach of contract litigation.

Robert has been repeatedly recognized in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, Benchmark Litigation, and other publications. He was selected as a senior fellow Litigation Counsel of America based on his excellence and accomplishments in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation. This honorary society recognizes exceptional trial attorneys, and includes less than one-half of one percent of attorneys in the U.S. In addition, Robert was inducted as a Virginia Law Foundation Fellow, recognizing his leadership in both his legal practice and his community.

State Attorneys General Litigation and Investigations

• Representing title lending companies and related entities in federal court actions in multiple states, a state administrative action, and state court litigation against the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities’ efforts to enforce usury statutes on out-of-state activity actions seeking over $52 million in penalties and restitution. TitleMax of Virginia, Inc., et al. v. Spicher, No. 25-1137, -1138, -1139, -1140 (3rd Cir.); TMX Fin. Corp. Servs., Inc. v. Spicher, No. 24-11087 (5th Cir.); TitleMax of S.C., Inc. v. Spicher, No. 4:24-cv-4399 (D.S.C.). TitleMax of Del., Inc. v. Commonwealth of Pa. Dep’t of Banking & Secs., No. 1697 C.D. 2024 (Pa. Commw. Ct.); Commonwealth of Pa. Dep’t of Banking & Secs., No. 1697 C.D. 2024 (Pa. Commw. Ct.).
• Representing a social media platform company and its parent company in litigation initiated by the Virginia Attorney General regarding alleged violations of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
• Representing an internet gaming platform in an investigation and litigation defending claims initiated by the New Jersey Attorney General concerning allegations of harms to youth and inadequate user privacy protections.
• Representing a health care company in an investigation and anticipated litigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s and the Office of the Maryland Inspector General for Health relating to our client’s performance under contract to administer all behavioral health claims for a state’s Medicaid and state employee health systems from 2020-2024.

Consumer Finance Litigation

• Defended a national financial institution against alleged Fair Credit Reporting Act and Texas Debt Collection Act violations in consolidated proceedings in the Eastern District of Texas, and related cases in the Northern District of Texas and Eastern District of Virginia. Welch et al v. Capital One Bank, N.A., No. 1:22-cv-00031 (E.D. Tex.); Wilprit v. Capital One Bank, N.A., 3:22-cv-00452 (N.D. Tex.); Young v. Capital One Bank, N.A. 1:22-cv-01326 (EDVA).
• Represented a regional financial institution in debt enforcement litigation relating to more than $500 million in loans to family owned coal mining and related businesses in Virginia state court and West Virginia federal court. Carter Bank & Trust v. James C. Justice, Jr. et al. Case Nos. CL23000112-23000121, CL23000148-23000158 (Cir. Ct. City of Martinsville, VA); Greenbrier Hotel Corp. v. Carter Bank & Trust, 5:23cv00731 (S.D. W. Va.).
• Defended a data aggregation company in claims based upon the alleged misuse of proprietary information used in direct mail marketing campaigns. After defeating claims on summary judgment, obtained an award for attorneys’ fees against the plaintiff. Corinthian Mortgage Corp. v. ChoicePoint Precision Mktg. LLC, No. 1:07cv832 (E.D. Va.).

Financial Institutions

• Represented a national financial institution in multidistrict consumer class-action litigation relating to a data breach involving 100 million consumers. In re Capital One Customer Data Security Breach Litig., 1:19-md-2915 (E.D. Va.).
• Defended a national financial institution in two separate five-patent lawsuits brought by the U.S.’s largest patent assertion entity in two separate district courts. Obtained a dismissal of all 10 patents before trial, which were affirmed on appeal, and prosecuted antitrust counterclaims based upon the plaintiffs’ monopolistic assertion of large portfolios of financial services-related patents. Intellectual Ventures I, LLC v. Capital One Fin. Corp., No. 1:13cv740 (E.D. Va.), aff’d 838 F.3d 1307 (Fed. Cir.); Intellectual Ventures I, LLC v. Capital One Fin. Corp., 8:13cv111 (D. Md.), aff’d 850 F.3d 1332 (Fed. Cir.).
• Defended a national financial institution and a dozen social media companies against claims asserted in multidistrict litigation. Obtained an invalidation of the patent on summary judgment, which was affirmed on appeal. In re TLI Commc’ns LLC Patent Litig., No. 1:14md02534 (E.D. Va.), aff’d 823 F.3d 607 (Fed. Cir.).

Marketing + Advertising

• Represented a hardwood flooring retailer in a trademark and trade dress infringement action against a national competitor. After overcoming summary judgment, conducted a two-day jury trial and a one-day bench trial, leading to a favorable case resolution. Lumber Liquidators, Inc. v. Stone Mountain Carpet Mills, Inc., No. 3:08cv573 (E.D. Va.).
• Represented a national baby stroller company in prosecuting trade dress infringement and false advertising claims against a competitor. After defeating a summary judgment motion of trade dress functionality and invalidity, obtained a successful resolution of the case, including a consent judgment and permanent injunction. Baby Jogger v. Britax Child Safety, Inc., No. 2:12cv452 (E.D. Va.).

Administrative Law

• Represented a nonprofit organization in a First Amendment challenge to its faith-based prison initiative, including a 10-day bench trial and appeal. Americans United for the Separation of Church & State, Inc. v. Prison Fellowship Ministries, Inc., No. 4:03cv90074 (S.D. Iowa), aff’d 06-2741 (8th Cir.).
• Represented a landfill operator in a two-day evidentiary hearing before an administrative hearing officer relating to violations of a landfill permit and efforts to revoke the permit, and in related appeals. CFS Group Disposal & Recycling Servs., LLC v. Virginia Dep’t of Envtl. Quality, CL19-5506 (Cir. Ct. City of Richmond); No. 1905-19-2 (Va. Ct. of App.).
• Represented a wireline local exchange carrier in a dispute with an interexchange carrier over applicable charges under F.C.C. Tariff. Sprint Commc’ns Co. v. NTELOS Telephone, Inc., No. 5:11cv82-MFU (W.D. Va.).

Regulated Industries

• Represented a major insurance company in a multimillion-dollar breach of contract, quantum meruit, and fraud action in a three-day jury trial. Following judgment for the plaintiff and significant compensatory and punitive damages, obtained a complete reversal and entry of favorable judgment on appeal. Virginia Fin. Assocs., Inc. v. ITT Hartford Group, Inc, No. 96-819 (Cir. Ct. for Co. of Chesterfield), rev’d 258 Va. 193, 520 S.E.2d 355 (Va.).

Corporate Ownership Disputes

• Defended officers and directors of a closely held corporation against claims of breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy, and oppression claims by a minority shareholder. Obtained summary judgment defeating all claims, which was affirmed on appeal. Moseman v. Van Leer, No. WMN 98434 (D. Md.), aff’d 263 F.3d 129 (4th Cir.).
• Represented members of a closely held LLC in litigation seeking declaration of ownership rights, invalidation of oppressive acts by manager, and disassociation of manager/member. Obtained successful settlement prior to trial. Yannitello v. Comp Recovery, Inc., No. CL11-355 (Henrico Cir. Ct.).
• Represented a closely held corporation in defense of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy, and breach of contract claims asserted by minority shareholders. Following three-day bench trial, obtained judgment defeating plaintiffs’ claims. Anton v. Andrews-Bush, CH02-430, CH02-507, CL02-772 (Chesterfield Cir. Ct.).

Intellectual Property

• Represented the world’s largest artificial Christmas tree manufacturer in wide-ranging litigation against a global competitor, including two district court cases involving 10 different patents, more than 20 inter partes review petitions before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and six consolidated appeals. Willis Elec. v. Polygroup Macau Ltd. (BVI), 15cv3443 (D. Minn.); Polygroup Macau Ltd. (BVI) v. Willis Elec. Co., No. 3:15cv552 (W.D. N.C.); Polygroup Macau Ltd. (BVI) v. Willis Elec. Co., IPR Nos. 2016-0800, -0801, -0802, -01609, -01610, -01611, -01612, -01613, -1615, -1616, -1617, -01781, -01782, -01783 (PTAB); Willis Elec. Co. v. Polygroup Macau Ltd. (BVI), IPR Nos. 2017-00309, -00330, -00331, -00332, -00333 and -00334 (PTAB); 758 Fed. Appx. 943 (Fed. Cir.); 759 Fed. Appx. 992 (Fed. Cir.); 777 Fed. Appx. 495 (Fed. Cir.); 780 Fed. Appx. 880 (Fed. Cir.); 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 1391 (Fed. Cir.).
• Represented a boat manufacturer in asserting patent infringement against the world’s biggest pleasure boat manufacturer, obtaining a verdict of willful infringement, enhanced damages, and award of attorneys’ fees after a seven-day jury trial. Cobalt Boats, LLC v. Brunswick Corp., 2:15cv21-HCM-LRL (E.D. Va.), rev’d 773 Fed. Appx. 611 (Fed. Cir.)
• Represented a biotechnology company in assertion of patent relating to development of a COVID-19 vaccine against international pharmaceutical manufacturers. Defeated motion to dismiss, leading to successful resolution of case. Allele Biotechnology and Pharm., Inc. v. Pfizer, Inc., 3:20cv01958 (S.D. Cal.).

• Senior fellow Litigation Counsel of America
• Virginia Lawyers Weekly: “Go To Lawyers” – Intellectual Property (2022)
• Virginia Law Foundation, Fellow, Class of 2021
• Chambers USA: Intellectual Property, Southern Virginia, Band 1 (2009-2025)
• Best Lawyers in America®: “Lawyer of the Year” in Patent Law (2026)
• Best Lawyers in America®: “Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation – Patent (2021, 2025)
• Best Lawyers in America®: Litigation – Intellectual Property (2011-2026), Litigation – Patent (2011-2026), Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants (2025-2026), Patent Law (2023-2025), Trademark Law (2024-2026)
• Benchmark Litigation: “Local Litigation Star” in Virginia (2021-2025)
• Virginia Business: “Legal Elite” in Intellectual Property/Cybersecurity (2005-2023)
• Virginia Business: “Legal Elite” in Civil Litigation (2005-2018)
• AV™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
• Virginia Super Lawyers (2007-2021)