Robert E. Sickles

Robert Sickles devotes his practice to complex litigation in state and federal courts and arbitration forums throughout the country. While he has focused his practice on the defense of individual and class action consumer financial and regulatory matters, he has also represented builders and developers in construction disputes and privately owned businesses in commercial disputes.

Mr. Sickles also represents creditors and the collection industry in several states, routinely defending firm clients in individual and class action litigation that is brought under consumer protection statutes, including the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Florida Consumer Collections Practices Act and the Federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

While the majority of Mr. Sickles’ practice takes place at the trial court level, he is also an accomplished appellate attorney when called upon to defend successful trial court results.  As a result, Mr. Sickles has handled appeals in every appellate jurisdiction in Florida.

As part of these appeals Mr. Sickles has participated in oral argument before Florida’s First, Second and Fifth District Courts of appeal. He has also defended successful trial court results in the Federal Courts of Appeal and written amicus briefs for trade associations.

Education:

• University of Pittsburgh School of Law, JD (1998)
• Washington and Jefferson College, BA, Economics (1995)

Admissions:

• Ohio
• Georgia
• U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida

Experience:

• Serves the automotive industry as a whole by acting as the outside general counsel to the Florida Independent Automobile Dealers Association (FIADA)
• Successful representation of a car sales and finance company in a putative class action in both the trial court and Florida’s First District Court of Appeal regarding the arbitrability of claims for the alleged violation of Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA)
• Obtained a Judgment on behalf of a financial institution/creditor for the improper disposition of its collateral by a third party and the Judgment was subsequently affirmed by Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal
• Consumer finance practice offers representation of national banks and other lenders in numerous actions, including disputes relating to escrow practices of mortgage lenders, unfair lending practices, unfair collection practices and priority of lien issues

Professional Activities:

• Member, The Florida Bar
• Member, National Association of Dealer Counsel
• Class of 2008, Alumni Member, Leadership Tampa

Community : Board of Trustees and Past Board Member, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay