Overview
Bob has practiced complex business and tax litigation and white collar criminal defense for more than forty years. He assists companies and individuals embroiled in major government investigations and performs internal corporate investigations on their behalf.
Bob tries “bet the company” cases in federal and state courts, and his white collar criminal defense practice is broad. He has successfully defended cases involving federal antitrust laws, securities violations, environmental crimes, health care fraud, tax crimes, banking fraud, civil and criminal false claims cases (including qui tam actions), and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Bob has also successfully defended a number of high profile cases on behalf of political figures and professional athletes, including Tonya Harding.
Before entering private practice, Bob entered the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice under the Honors Graduates Program in 1975. He served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon from 1979 to 1987, and for most of that time was Chief of that office’s Criminal Division.
Professional Activities
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2003-present
- Federal Judicial Selection Committee
- Chair, 1994, 1997
- Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Oregon District Delegation, Chair, 2007
- Oregon State Bar
- Litigation Section, Executive Committee Chair, 1996-1997
- Legal Ethics Committee, Member, 1986-1990
Community Activities
- Catholic Charities of Oregon, Former Board Member
- St. Andrew's Legal Clinic, Former Board Member
- The Madeleine School, Former School Board President, Advisory Council
Experience
Experience
U.S. District Court, Portland, Oregon
Obtained a defense jury verdict on behalf of client accused of insider trading in violation of federal securities laws.
U.S. District Court, Portland, Oregon
Obtained dismissal of civil complaint alleging RICO, fraud and franchise law violations; and obtained an award of attorney’s fees to Tony Robbins.
4th Circuit Court of Appeals
Obtained dismissal of a federal False Claims Act qui tam case on behalf of a manufacturing client, and obtained affirmance on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.
U.S. District Court, Eugene, Oregon
Following a three-year multi-agency grand jury investigation, successfully defended a large multistate healthcare organization against allegations of falsely billing Medicare.
U.S. District Court, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Successfully represented water freight carrier in U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division prosecution for multi-million dollar conspiracy to violate the Sherman Antitrust Act.
U.S. Attorney's Office, Seattle, Washington
Obtained a non prosecution decision on behalf of an 11,000 ton international chemical/oil tanker under investigation for violations of the Federal Clean Water Act and MARPOL Conventions.
U.S. District Court, Missoula, Montana
Obtained dismissal of a $375 million professional malpractice case on behalf of a multistate law firm.
U.S. District Court, Columbia, South Carolina
Obtained summary judgment for over 90% of claims on behalf of national moving and storage company in a federal False Claims Act qui tam case.
Successfully represented international pharmaceutical corporation charged with violations of Oregon Unfair Trade Practices Act.
U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division
Obtained non prosecution decision for client accused of violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
U.S. District Court, Portland, Oregon
Obtained dismissal of multi-million dollar federal False Claims Act qui tam case on behalf of Oregon Health & Science University.
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Portland, Oregon
Obtained a non prosecution decision on behalf of a 15,000 ton research vessel under investigation for violations of the Clean Water Act.
Multnomah County Circuit Court, Portland, Oregon
Successfully defended national restaurant chain in statewide wage and hour class action lawsuit in two separate eight-week jury trials, eliminating 92% of all class members and reducing damages to 8.7% of claims.
U.S. District Court, Casper, Wyoming
Obtained post trial judgment of acquittal for client convicted of Lacey Act violations.
U.S. District Court, Portland, Oregon
Successfully represented Certified Public Accountant charged in $200 million tax shelter scheme.
Conducted internal corporate investigations for publicly traded multi-national companies accused of violations of federal securities laws, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the False Claims Act, and mail fraud.
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
Past Appearances
Publications
Services
Admissions
- Oregon
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
- U.S. Tax Court
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
- J.D., University of Notre Dame Law School (cum laude), 1975
- B.A., University of Notre Dame (cum laude), 1972
Honors & Recognition
- Chambers USA (Oregon) Leading Individual, Litigation: General Commercial
- The Best Lawyers of America© Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Antitrust Litigation, and Securities Litigation, 1995-present
- Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" in Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2011, 2015, 2019
- Oregon Super Lawyers list, 2006-2020
- Top 50 Lawyers, 2007-2017
- Super Lawyers Business Edition, 2014-2015
- Oregon Super Lawyers magazine, Cover Feature: "Hometown Hero, How Robert Weaver Took Down the Rajneesh Cult," 2012
- ACLU Foundation of Oregon Civil Liberties Award for pro bono legal services to Guantánamo detainees, 2009
- Portland Monthly's guide to the best lawyers in the Portland metropolitan area, 2006
- Oregon Chapter of the American Jewish Committee Judge Learned Hand Award for "contributions in the finest tradition of the legal profession," 2006
- Multnomah Bar Association Professionalism Award, 2004
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating