Biography
For nearly 50 years, Bob has represented music industry clients, including artists, managers, record companies, music publishers, producers, studios, concert promoters and venues, as well as media and technology companies.
During this time, he has counseled an eclectic group of artists and managers of artists who have collectively sold more than 250 million albums. Several of Bob’s clients have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Jazz Hall of Fame, while others have won awards, such as the Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur Foundation “Genius” grants. As a result of his experience in the industry, his practice covers the full gamut of entertainment services.
Bob has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, including:
- Being part of the legal team that won a substantial judgment in unpaid royalties for rock 'n' roll icon Ronnie Spector.
- Playing a significant role in getting Congress to repeal the anti-music artist amendments to the works-for-hire provisions of the Copyright Act.
- Former New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer gave Bob much of the credit for the settlement of a case involving “suspense accounts” that resulted in the payment of $55 million dollars in back-due royalties to artists.
- Assisting in presenting the Central Park free concert series that included artists such as James Taylor, Elton John, Diana Ross and the record-breaking Simon & Garfunkel reunion.
- Pioneering celebrity endorsement deals that paired rock artists with non-music-related products.
Before Fox Rothschild
Prior to joining Fox, Bob was a partner in the New York office of Lommen Abdo, a Minneapolis-based law firm with the largest entertainment law practice in the Midwest. Before that, he spent more than 30 years in private practice as a music lawyer.
Early in his career, Bob served as in-house counsel for Leber-Krebs, which launched the careers of Aerosmith, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Parliament Funkadelic and many other well-known recording artists.
Beyond Fox Rothschild
Bob gives guest lectures on entertainment law at colleges, law schools and music industry conferences such as SXSW and CMJ. He is also frequently quoted on music law issues in The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard and other publications.
He has been awarded 40 gold and platinum album plaques, which he donated to the music school at his alma mater, Providence College.
In his home county of Westchester, NY, Bob has served as a Justice of the Peace. He is also a trained mediator and has served as an arbitrator on more than 100 entertainment-related disputes.
In 2004, Bob formed Modern Works Music Publishing with composer Dan Coleman. The company grew to become one of the largest music publisher in the United States devoted exclusively to administration. Modern Works, which is now a division of Red Brick Songs, Inc., is responsible for a catalog of thousands of important compositions, including “Flashlight,” “From A Distance,” “Rockit,” “I Wish” and “Sunshine (Go Away Today).” During Bob's affiliation with Modern Works its songwriters and publishers garnered more than 100 Grammy® nominations and awards.
Bob is famous for his New York wiseguy sense of humor, exemplified by the desk plaques he has given to hundreds of colleagues that read: "Become an entertainment lawyer. Touch paper touched by superstars."
Bar Admissions
- New York
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Education
- St. John's University School of Law (J.D., 1973)
- Columbia University (M.A., 1970)
- Providence College (B.A., 1968)
Memberships
- Entertainment Law Initiative
- American Arbitration Association, Entertainment Panel
- New York State Magistrates Association
- National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences/The Recording Academy
- New York State Bar Association
Honors & Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award, St John's Law School (2021)
- Named among Billboard Magazine’s 50 Attorneys of Note in the Music Biz
- Named a “Super Lawyer” by New York Metro (2011-2014, 2016-2017)
- Rated AV Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®
- Named one of the 100 Most Distinguished Lawyers in the United States of Irish American descent by Irish America magazine
- Named in Who's Who in Entertainment
- Received special recognition awards from the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and from St. John’s Law School Entertainment Law Society
