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    1. Home
    2. People
    3. Robert M. BlumPeople
    1. Home
    2. People
    3. Robert M. BlumPeople

    Robert M. Blum

    Partner


    • San Francisco
    • Office415.984.8311
    • rblum@nixonpeabody.com
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    Introduction

    Bob Blum is a litigator who represents contractors and owners on construction claims and clients in many industries on tort, contract and indemnity claims. He counsels clients on lawyers’ professional responsibility matters and represents creditors in bankruptcy cases.

    Practice Areas

    Arbitration, Mediation & Alternative Dispute ResolutionConstruction & Real Estate LitigationCorporate & FinanceLitigationComplex DisputesFinancial Restructuring & Bankruptcy

    Industries

    Financial Services

    My focus

    With more than three decades of experience, I focus my practice in the following areas.

    Commercial Litigation

    I represent construction, energy, vegetation management, financial services and retail sales clients in contract disputes and liability and indemnity claims related to contract performance. I am deeply involved in the defense of liability and indemnity claims related to major wildfires in California and the western United States, and more recently in other parts of the country.

    Construction Claims and Litigation

    I represent contractors and owners in construction claims and litigation, including claims on major construction projects—such as airports, highways, nuclear and fossil fuel power plants, water treatment projects and commercial buildings. I also handle claims on smaller projects—such as residential and retail construction.

    Lawyers’ Professional Responsibility

    For years, I served as the general counsel of an AmLaw 100 law firm. I use that experience in my representation of lawyers and law firms concerning conflicts of interest and partnership disputes and other clients re privilege and legal malpractice issues.

    Bankruptcy

    I represent creditors in bankruptcy litigation—such as preferences, offsets, disputes concerning property of the estate and relief from the automatic stay.

    Looking ahead

    Legislative, regulatory, and insurance industry responses to wildfires are changing risk profiles and advisable legal and business strategies for companies involved with electric power generation, transmission, and distribution.

    Publications and presentations

    Bob is a frequent lecturer and instructor in continuing legal education programs on issues of professional responsibility (e.g., conflicts of interest, conflict waivers and fee agreements, duties of confidentiality and multi-jurisdictional law practices).


    Representative experience

    • Represented contractor in defense of property damage, insurance subrogation, resource loss and fire suppression claims arising from major wildfires in California and other parts of the United States
    • Represented independent energy producer in warranty, indemnity and contract disputes with suppliers of power generation equipment, and in supply contracts with public utilities
    • Represented law firms and individual attorneys in legal malpractice lawsuits and claims of breach of professional duties and conflicts of interest; counseled and represented numerous attorneys concerning compliance with professional responsibility obligations
    • Defended contractor accused of fraud in construction of runways and taxiways at airports in California and Colorado; represented contractor in qui tam litigation, contract claims and government investigations
    • Represented highway construction contractor in claims against state and federal contracting authorities related to projects in California, Washington, Arizona and Colorado
    • Prosecuted extra work and changed conditions claims by construction contractors on nuclear and fossil fuel power plants, water treatment plants and commercial and residential buildings
    • Represented international specialty apparel retailer in claims and litigation related to store construction, bankruptcy of vendors and insolvency of shopping centers and landlords
    • Defended large California mutual benefit corporation in litigation concerning compliance with laws governing proxies and election procedures for its board of directors
    • Represented creditors in bankruptcy of major investor-owned utility
    • Defended bank accused of wrongful conduct in lending and banking operations
    • Represented bank in litigation alleging violations of California unfair competition law

    Admitted to practice

    California
    U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
    U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
    U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

    Education

    Duke University School of Law, J.D., (Notes and Comments Editor, Duke Law Journal)
    Northwestern University, B.S., cum laude

    Professional activities

    Bob has served as a member of the California Urban Forests Council’s board of directors since 2013

    Recognition

    Bob was selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 in the fields of Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; and Litigation—Construction; and was named the 2022 San Francisco “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation—Construction. Bob was also designated the San Francisco “Lawyer of the Year” in 2020 for Construction Law, and in 2018 and 2020 for Litigation—Construction. He has been listed in Best Lawyers since 2013.

    Bob has been recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2022 editorial for Industry focus—Real estate - Construction (including construction litigation).

    Bob has also received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating™ from Martindale Hubbell®—the highest possible rating for ethics and legal ability.

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      • Office:212.940.3017
      • cmason@nixonpeabody.com
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        Mobile:585.766.1480
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    • Dan Deane

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      • Office:603.628.4047
      • ddeane@nixonpeabody.com
      Dan Deane
    • Tara E. Daub

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      • Long Island
      • Office:516.832.7613
      • tdaub@nixonpeabody.com
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    • Thaddeus J. Stauber

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      • Office:213.629.6053
      • tstauber@nixonpeabody.com
      Thaddeus J. Stauber
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