Recognized by clients and colleagues as a “legal innovator” and “outstanding first-chair trial lawyer,” Robert (“Bob”) Ruyak is one of the nation’s most experienced and respected litigators and trial advocates.
For four decades, he has served as lead and first-chair trial counsel in dozens of complex, high-stakes cases.
Notable Experience and Results
Bob focuses substantively and procedurally on the protection and enhancement of his clients’ competitive interests. His competition litigation practice covers antitrust monopolies, anticompetitive agreements, and restraints; patent enforcement and infringement defense; trade secret and business theft; fraudulent, unfair and deceptive practices; copyright and trademark infringement; and false advertising. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in class action, insurance recovery, shareholder, and contract disputes.
In his diverse litigation practice, Bob also represents individuals and corporations in civil and criminal investigations and cases initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Agriculture, the Internal Revenue Service, and various State Attorney General offices.
With extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution, Bob has served as lead counsel in arbitrations in the U.S., Bermuda, and the U.K. He spent over a decade on the board of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, including as chairman of its International Committee.
Professional Impact
Bob’s contributions to the legal profession extend far beyond his litigation practice. A former law firm managing and co-founding partner, Bob is known for promoting innovations in law practice management and young attorney training, skills development, and career management. Such innovations extend to continuing legal education and trial techniques—including trial strategy, use of experts, and presentation technologies. Bob is also a founder and has served on the board of the Catholic Charities Pro Bono Legal Network.
Prior Experience
Prior to joining Larson, Bob co-founded a nationally recognized technology and competition law boutique and was previously a partner at an Am Law 100 firm. He gained decades of experience at a global intellectual property and litigation firm, where he started as an associate and worked his way up to managing partner.
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.
- Gannon University, B.A.
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of International Trade
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S.D.C. District of Columbia
- U.S.D.C. Eastern District of New York
- U.S.D.C. Southern District of New York
- U.S.D.C. Eastern District of Texas
- England and Wales
Clerkships
- Hon. John J. Sirica
U.S.D.C. District of Columbia
