In another expansion of its litigation capabilities, Roger S. Kobert, a nationally recognized trial attorney with over 35 years of international and commercial litigation experience, has joined Barton LLP as a partner in its New York office.
Kobert joins former ArentFox Schiff partner, Ross Charap, as Barton’s second major partner addition from an AmLaw firm in the last two months, continuing the firm’s momentum in attracting top-tier talent.
Fresh from AmLaw 200 firm Carlton Fields, Kobert brings a practice that spans continents and courtrooms. His career includes serving as lead counsel in litigation against a former head of state for crimes against humanity, establishing new legal precedent in the Florida Supreme Court, securing the release of frozen foreign governmental assets, and representing military contractors in high-profile multinational trials.
When asked about his decision to move to Barton, Kobert told Law360, “I spent the last several years getting into the New York law market and practice, and I was looking for an opportunity to be with a New York-centric firm that checks all the boxes – innovative, high quality [and] many practice areas that are either things I do or things I can bring to the firm or collaborate with my new colleagues on.”
Beyond Kobert’s specialized niche, his broader practice encompasses banking, directors and officers liability, foreign sovereign immunity, fraud, and complex commercial matters. He also handles matters involving real estate and financial disputes, managed health care litigation, labor and employment, Section 1782 proceedings, class actions, insurance coverage, and fee recovery and enforcement. Kobert has tried numerous cases to decision, argued appeals across federal and state courts nationwide, and led cross-border dispute resolution teams in some of the most challenging legal environments.
“Kobert is not just a litigator; he is a legal problem solver in a vast number of areas,” said Roger E. Barton, Managing Partner of Barton LLP. “This rare and powerful skill set positions him to manage the most complex business disputes involving financial, corporate, public and private operations and competitive market dynamics. His arrival strengthens our ability to handle our domestic and international clients’ most complex, high-stakes disputes.”
Kobert is actively involved in the legal community through leadership and service in several national organizations. He has held key roles in the Federal Bar Association’s International Law Section, including Chair and Treasurer, and served on the National Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion. He remains active in the American Bar Association’s International Law Section and was an inaugural member and longtime contributor to The Florida Bar’s International Litigation & Arbitration Board Certification Committee, including as Chair.
The Barton LLP Litigation Group represents businesses, governments, and individuals in complex commercial disputes, securities litigation, employment matters, and international arbitration. The group’s attorneys handle matters ranging from partnership disputes and class actions to regulatory enforcement and cross-border investigations, providing strategic counsel that spans multiple jurisdictions and legal systems.
Roger E. Barton
Ross J. Charap
Roger S. Kobert