Chudakoff

Robert E. Chudakoff

Retired Partner

Robert E. Chudakoff

Retired Partner

After 35 years with Ulmer, Rob retired in 2022. Rob has extensive experience in the defense and prosecution of intellectual property claims. He practiced in trademark, trade dress and copyright infringement, false designation of origin, unfair competition and deceptive trade practices, and false advertising matters. Rob also has comprehensive experience in software and technology matters, including both prosecution and defense of software development contract disputes. Rob combined a deep background in technology and business litigation including computer, software, internet and e-commerce matters. Rob served as chair of the firm’s Security & Technology Committee, which guides policy and protection for client data within the firm. He achieved the highest ranking, AV Preeminent®, from Martindale-Hubbell® and was named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list.

Rob served on the Blockland Cleveland Legal Node. The Blockland initiative exists to educate and promote real-world blockchain applications, while establishing and leading a blockchain ecosystem with support from private, public, and philanthropic individuals and organizations.

Rob was also a member of the firm’s eDiscovery Practice Group. He has significant and substantive experience in all phases of the eDiscovery process, including assessing client systems, assisting clients with identification, preservation, collection, processing and review of electronically stored information, selecting the right eDiscovery vendor, negotiating reasonable and efficient eDiscovery protocols with opposing counsel and litigating eDiscovery disputes when they arise. Rob was the Chair of the firm’s Litigation Support Users Group, which provides an effective interface between the firm’s attorneys and its IT and Litigation Support professionals.

Rob also has over 30 years of experience handling complex insurance coverage and bad faith litigation in both federal and state court. He is a former Vice-Chair of the ABA’s Property Insurance Law Committee and Past President of the National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators. Rob successfully defended insurance carriers in a variety of bad faith cases including allegations of failure to settle liability claims and wrongful coverage denial.

Education & Admissions

Education

  • Miami University

    (B.A., 1984)

  • Case Western Reserve University School of Law

    (J.D., 1987)

Admissions

  • State of Ohio
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois

Publications & Presentations

Publications

  • “E-Commerce in Ohio: Legal and Business Issues,” Co-author, National Business Institute, Inc. (December 2000)
  • “Recent Developments in Property Insurance Law,” Lead author, Tort & Insurance Law Journal (Vol. 35, No. 2 Winter 2000)
  • “Property Insurance Annotations: Fire and Extended Coverages,” Contributing author, TTIPS Property Insurance Law Committee (3d ed. 1998)
  • “Special Investigations,” Law of Claims Fraud Investigation and Defense, American Educational Institute, Inc. (1992)

Presentations

  • “Practicing Law in Ohio During a Pandemic,” Thomson Reuters Webinar (September 2021)
  • “Guilt By Association: What Is Good Faith Reliance On Your Expert?”  National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators 2007 Annual Advanced Insurance Fraud Seminar, Indianapolis, Indiana (November 2007)

Involvement

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
  • Federal Bar Association – Northern District of Ohio Chapter (Board of Directors)
  • American Bar Association (Section of Intellectual Property, Section on Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice “TTIPS”, Former Vice-Chair, Property Insurance Law Committee)
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Intellectual Property Owners (IPO) Association
  • Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Blockland Cleveland Legal Node
  • National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators (Past President, National and Ohio Chapter)

FIRM INVOLVEMENT

  • Security Advisory Board, Chair

Honors

HONORS

  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated – Martindale-Hubbell
  • Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list (2013-2023)
  • Certified Professional Insurance Investigator