1. PRACTICES
Business Litigation
Intellectual Property
Trade Secrets Counseling and
Litigation
Patent Prosecution and Litigation
Government Contracts
Complex Employment Litigation
Construction and Engineering
Admiralty and Maritime Law
Rocket Docket Practice (US
District Court for the Eastern
District of Virginia)
CONTACT
btata@hunton.com
Norfolk
p 757.640.5328
Washington, DC
p 202.955.1609
EDUCATION
JD, University of Virginia, Raven
Society, Executive Editor, Virginia
Tax Review, Class Vice President,
1989
MBA, Old Dominion University,
1986
BS, United States Naval
Academy, 1979
BAR ADMISSIONS
Virginia
District of Columbia
Bob’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and
intellectual property litigation.
Bob is the Managing Partner of the firm’s Norfolk office and his practice includes
high stakes complex commercial litigation, intellectual property (trade secret,
false advertising, trademark, trade dress, copyright, and patent) litigation,
government investigations and contracts, mass tort and products liability
defense, construction, employment law, admiralty and maritime law, and
personal injury and wrongful death defense in the Eastern District of Virginia
“Rocket Docket” and throughout the country.
Relevant Experience
Won X-IT Products v. Walter Kidde, a copyright, trade dress, and patent trade
secrets case, winning the then largest jury verdict in Virginia history ($116
million).
Won Lake Wright Hospitality, LLC v. Holiday Hospitality Franchising, Inc., et al.,
defeating $16 million hotel franchise claim on summary judgment in federal
court and winning award of $868,000 in attorneys' fees (2009).
Won DACS, Inc. v. Sierra Shelving, et al., winning patent portfolio, award of
product, and $450,000 fee award, and effectively shutting down competitive
company in state court intellectual property dispute (2009).
Won certiorari to the United States Supreme Court in Garris v. Norshipco, a
maritime wrongful death case and later won defense judgment at trial, earning
selection as one of the "top ten" defense wins in Virginia Lawyers Weekly.
Won Ballard v. Sony Pictures Entertainment, obtaining dismissal of copyright
and Lanham Act case regarding the movie “The Wedding Planner,” which
grossed $97 million.
Won seven figure settlement in Wood Logic v. Lehigh, a patent and trade
secret case for the inventor of the “Woodpegger”.
Won Matter of Earl Industries, B-309996 (November 5, 2007), a $60 million bid
protest at GAO overturning award of contract for repair of the Navy’s East
Coast Frigate fleet.
Resolved Turner Construction Company v. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
State University, et al., on favorable terms for the Owner of $33 million
construction dispute regarding Virginia Tech's football stadium after being
hired by the Virginia Attorney General to represent the University (2009).
Robert M. Tata
Partner
Hunton & Williams LLP

2. Statewide Coordinating Counsel, Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company,
regarding high profile prescription drug litigation.
Defended wide range of clients in employment law and defamation disputes.
News
Hunton & Williams Announces Standings in Chambers USA 2015, May 27,
2015
Environmental Practice Wins Chambers USA Award of Excellence; 32
Practices, 86 Lawyers Ranked, May 27, 2014
Hunton & Williams LLP Attains 33 Practice and 91 Lawyer Rankings in
Chambers USA 2013, June 24, 2013
Eight Hunton & Williams LLP Lawyers Named ‘Lawyer of the Year’ by Best
Lawyers 2013, January 23, 2013
Hunton & Williams LLP Maintains Top-Tier Rankings in Chambers USA 2012,
June 7, 2012
Alerts
New Vessel General Permit Challenged in Ninth Circuit As Groups Seek
Stricter Effluent Limit for Ballast Water, May 24, 2013
Government Contracts Reporter, Vol. 3, No. 2, May 2012
Government Contractors Must Now Assert Some Defenses as Affirmative
Claims Or Lose Them, July 8, 2010
Case Highlight: Hunton & Williams' Litigators Win Award of Competitor's
Product, Jackpot of IP, and Attorneys' Fees in Hotly-Contested Shelving Case,
June 22, 2009
Publications
Author, Virginia’s ‘Rocket Docket’ Continues To Roar, Law360, April 17, 2015
Author, Still The Fastest Justice Anywhere, Law360, June 17, 2014
Author, What Litigators Must Know About Va.'s 'Rocket Docket', Law360,
More
Memberships
Member, Board of Visitors, Old Dominion University (2013-2017)
Chairman, Judicial Endorsement Panel, Virginia Beach General
Assembly Delegation 2010, 2012, and 2013
Chairman, Judicial Recommendation Panel, Virginia Beach Bar
Association, 2010
Past President, Virginia Beach Bar Association and recipient of
2010 "Bar Service Award"
Member, Intellectual Property Law Section, Virginia State Bar
Director, Hampton Roads Soccer Council
Triton, Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, 2012
Hunton & Williams LLP

3. March 18, 2013
Awards & Recognition
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Leader in the Field, Intellectual Property and General Commercial
Litigation, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for
Business, 2004-2014
Selected as a "2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Commercial Litigation,"
American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell
Selected for inclusion as a "Best Lawyer," Litigation - Intellectual
Property, The Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2014
Selected for inclusion in 2012 Top Rated Lawyers Guide to
Intellectual Property
Selected for inclusion as a Virginia "Super Lawyer," Business
Litigation, Virginia Super Lawyers, 2006-2014
Named among "3000 Leading Lawyers in America," Lawdragon
AV® Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Navy Football, Holiday Bowl Champion and set numerous school
records as Navy placekicker
Hunton & Williams LLP