Rob Weikert has built a successful practice in complex litigation, supporting clients in a range of intellectual property matters, including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and domain names. He also holds CIPP/US credentials and advises on privacy and cybersecurity issues, helping clients protect critical information and respond to data breaches.
As the Nixon Peabody San Francisco office managing partner, Rob sees his role as helping every attorney and professional staff colleague achieve their career goals, while representing the office in the broader community. He’s deeply passionate about the Bay Area, its history, culture, and people. As he looks toward the future, he is energized by the region’s resilience and opportunities for growth, especially as it’s set to host several global sporting events in 2026.
That same commitment to community shapes Rob’s approach to leadership, which centers on collaboration and delivering exceptional client service.
What kinds of challenges are clients bringing to Nixon Peabody’s San Francisco office, and how is the team rising to meet them?
Many of our clients are navigating high-profile projects and complex stakeholder relationships. These require collaboration across offices and practice areas, which is where our strength as a full-service firm really shines.
Personally, I’m passionate about San Francisco’s history and what this city is capable of. Working with organizations that are helping bring San Francisco back to its full potential is something I truly believe in. One example is our work with the Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC), an organization that believes in the power of uniting the region through sports. The Nixon Peabody team is assisting BAHC in addressing a range of legal issues, as the organization prepares to host several global sporting events through 2026, including the NWSL Championship, Super Bowl LX, the NFL Pro Bowl, and the FIFA World Cup. It’s exciting to be part of that story!
What legal or regulatory issues are top of mind for clients right now?
San Francisco is a tech hub, and technology and IP issues are certainly front and center. The city’s resilience story is closely tied to innovation, with the AI boom driving growth across sectors, even contributing to a rebound in the real estate market as AI companies establish a presence here.
But San Francisco, and our legal work, extends far beyond tech. From consumer goods to food and beverage, and from healthcare to financial services, clients across industries are facing challenges in a fast-changing regulatory environment. They need a partner who can provide comprehensive legal solutions. Being part of a large, knowledge-rich firm enables us to offer a one-stop shop for legal services, drawing on insights from across Nixon Peabody to help clients stay ahead, regardless of their sector.
What makes the culture in Nixon Peabody’s San Francisco office special?
It’s important that everyone feels valued. My philosophy is that nobody works for me; we all work with each other and together toward the same goal: delivering first-rate legal services to our clients. That sense of teamwork and mutual respect defines our culture, making Nixon Peabody San Francisco a great place to work.
How is the office making an impact in the San Francisco community?
Community involvement is a big part of our firm, especially here in San Francisco. I’m proud of the work our attorneys do with organizations like BAHC, the Partnership for San Francisco, and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. I encourage our team to get involved in causes they care about because sincerity and passion resonate. It’s about showing up, getting actively involved, and making a real contribution to our community.
Having practiced in San Francisco my entire career, the Partnership for San Francisco is especially meaningful to me. The organization focuses on stimulating the regional economy and community fabric through private sector partnerships. I was proud to help launch the organization because its mission reflects the resilience and innovation that make this region so special.
What do you love most about the Bay Area?
A lifetime love of sports is part of why I’ve been so proud to support San Francisco’s bids for major global events, including the Olympic efforts in the late ’90s and the region’s bids in 2012, 2016, and 2020. Helping showcase what this city can do on the world stage has been incredibly rewarding—and even more exciting now, as we work with the BAHC to prepare for a truly historic slate of worldwide sporting events in 2026. We will be the first, and perhaps the only, region to ever host the championships for both of the world’s brands of football.
Is there a San Francisco memory that stands out for you?
Absolutely. My family first moved to the Bay Area in the late 1960s, and one of my earliest memories is going to Tadich Grill in the Financial District with my dad and younger brother. My feet dangled off the high barstools at the counter, but there I was soaking it all in. Fast forward to today, and I work just around the corner. It’s a full-circle moment that reminds me how rich this city is in history and how much it has to offer. I felt the city’s magic the first time I visited it, and that feeling has never left me. I made a mental note even at that young age that this is where I wanted to work one day. That dream came true.
Any hobbies or interests that might surprise us?
I recently took up golf after years of tennis, running, and other recreational sports. It’s a whole new world, and I’m loving the challenge. I was saving golf for my sedentary years, and I guess those years have arrived!
Outside the office, community involvement has always been a big part of my life. When my kids were growing up, I took on coaching and leadership roles in their sports and school activities, and now that they’re adults, that commitment hasn’t changed. My family and I have benefited so much from our community and local organizations over the years, and I believe it’s important to give back. Supporting community groups helps ensure others have the same opportunities, and that’s something I’m passionate about.
