Biography
After a 45-year career at one law firm, Bob retired from the practice of law in 2026. He joined Martin Tate in 1981 and became a member of the firm in 1987. He graduated magna cum laude from Memphis State University in 1977 with a degree in accounting and received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1981, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif.
Bob practiced in business planning and transactions, taxation, general corporate law, creditors' rights, and bankruptcy. He spent most of his professional time negotiating and documenting a range of business transactions, from organizing start-up entities to merging two publicly held companies. He also had substantial experience representing creditors and borrowers in workouts, debt restructurings, reorganizations, and bankruptcy.
Beyond transactional work, Bob handled litigation in state and federal courts from the Chancery, Circuit, and Probate Courts of Shelby County to the United States Supreme Court. He was a former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Christian Brothers High School in Memphis and served as Chairman of the Finance Council of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis.