Biography
Rob Buchbinder has lived in Ohio for nearly 40 years. Starting as a law clerk at Crabbe, Brown & James in 1986, Rob became partner in 1996. Rob has focused his practice in the area of civil litigation with an emphasis on representing transportation companies. His expertise has led him to argue cases in various appellate courts, including the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court.
Rob provides counsel and strategic planning in all segments of the transportation industry including compliance issues with state and federal laws, litigation claims, emergency response, insurance coverage, liability defense, risk management, and personal and property damage claims. Rob also has a wide range of experience in regulatory matters, workers compensation, and labor/employment. His past includes asbestos litigation throughout the State of Ohio as well as administrative matters before the Ohio State Medical Board.
Rob is also an active member of Columbus’ art community. Rob has served as a board member of the King Art Complex since 2011, where he has helped support the institution’s engagement with central Ohio through performing, cultural, and educational art programs.
Professional Experience
1996-Present
Crabbe, Brown & James – Partner
1987-1996
Crabbe, Brown & James – Associate
Associations & Memberships
2011-2022
Board Member of the King Art Complex
1997-Present
American Law Firm Association (ALFA)
- Transportation and Workers Compensation Practice Areas
- Annual contributor to ALFA Transportation Practice Group Compendium
1990-Present
Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (OACTA)
1995-Present
Defense Research Institute
See More Associations & Memberships
The Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA)
1987-Present
Ohio State Bar Association
1987-Present
Columbus Bar Association
1985-Present
Columbus Claims Association (CCA)
- 1997-1998 President and Trustee; 1994-1997 Officer; 1998-2000 Trustee
Awards & Honors
2018-2022
Best Lawyers in Central Ohio
- For his extensive practice in Transportation Law
2022
Ohio Super Lawyer
- Multiple year recipient, including 2018 for Transportation & Maritime
2014
King Arts Complex Dream Award
2011-Present
Board Member of King Arts Complex
- 2013-Present: Officer of King Arts Complex
Board Member of ArtSafe
2009
Best Lawyers of America
- Multiple year recipient, including 2018 for Transportation
2008
The Best Lawyers in Central Ohio
Bar Admissions
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
State of Ohio
Notable Publications, Significant Cases & Seminars
Cases
Won summary judgment on behalf of Defendant Portsmouth Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. and its driver in Jackson County Common Pleas in an automobile accident case. Also won summary judgment on co-defendant’s crossclaims. (Cross v. Dunnavant, Case No. 20CIV0100).
Lead counsel in securing a defense verdict in favor of the insured in a traumatic brain injury jury trial in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Prayer for Relief: $6.5M, Jury Verdict: $100,000. (Li v. Progressive Direct Insurance Company, et al.; Case No. 17CV4974).
Won summary judgment on behalf of Walgreen Co. and a pharmacist in a customer personal injury action alleging over dispensing of opioid medication (Estate of Mehrer v. Walgreen Co., et al.; Case No. 19CV7913) (appeal pending).
See More Notable Publications, Significant Cases & SeminarsPresentation and Speaking Engagements
National Fraternal Order of Police 2020 Legal Counselor Seminar – “The Use of Body Cameras, Dash Cameras, Drones, Public and Private Cameras” (March 2020 – Las Vegas Nevada)
2012 ALFA International Transportation Practice Group Seminar – “Strategies for Combating Excessive Clean Up, Tow and Storage Charges”
Publications
Contributor, National Fraternal Order of Police Amicus Briefs
- City of Hays, Kan. v. Vogt, United States Supreme Court (2018)
- Estate of Armstrong v. Vill. of Pinehurst, United States Supreme Court (2016)
“Driving Disabled” The Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly (Winter ed.)
Brief for the National Fraternal Order of Police as Amicus Curiae in the Supreme Court of the United States, City of Hays, Kan. v. Vogt, docket number 16-1495, decision forthcoming in 2018.
National Fraternal Order of Police
Regular contributor and editor of amicus briefs
Counsel of Record, Brief for the National Fraternal Order of Police as Amicus Curiae, Estate of Armstrong v. Vill. of Pinehurst, docket number 15-1380
2016
ALFA International Transportation Practice Group Seminar “Strategies for Combating Excessive Clean Up, Tow and Storage Charges”
2012
“Driving Disabled”, The Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly (Winter ed.)
Federal Insurance Company, American Alternative Insurance Corporation v. Executive Coach Luxury Travel et al., and Feroen J. Betts, etc., et al., Case no. 2009-2307 3rd District Court of Appeals (Allen County)
Pond v. Leslein, 72 Ohio St.3d 50 (1995)
Damon’s Missouri, Inc. v. Davis et al., 63 Ohio St.3d 605 (1992)
Education
Capital University Law School, J.D., 1987
Louisiana State University, 1984
Bethany College, B.S. Political Science, 1980