Robert E. Spears, Jr. (member)

(404) 373-5150
respears@tsrlaw.com

Rob’s practice focuses on commercial litigation with a special emphasis on creditors’ rights, business torts and transportation law. Recent significant engagements include:

• Suits in U.S. District Courts and Bankruptcy Courts to recover freight charges owed to motor carriers from brokers, shippers and secured lenders who have asserted claims to freight payments held by brokers;
• Defending motor carriers in suits by shippers for cargo loss or damage under the Carmack Amendment, COGSA and state law;
• Advise transportation providers in large bankruptcies such as Chrysler, Pilgrim’s Pride and Smurfit Stone;
• Ongoing representation of a large multi-office dental practice in employment, consumer and malpractice cases;
• Representation of developers and builders in loan workouts, collection litigation and bankruptcy proceedings;
• Successfully defended a radio personality who was sued for defamation and copyright infringement;
• Representation of an athletic association in insurance coverage litigation.

Rob strives to help clients find practical solutions to their legal and business problems. For example, he spearheaded the development of a software application called Litigation Wizard that allows clients to generate, file and manage small claims suits to collect unpaid account balances without an attorney. The application is licensed through a separate company.

Rob is an active member of the Transportation Lawyers’ Association (Co-Chairman, Freight Claims Committee, 2009-2010) and the Conference of Freight Counsel. His publications and presentations include: "Indemnification Provisions In Brokerage Contracts," Transportation Loss Prevention and Security Association Newsletter, Spring 2005. "Proving Damages In A Cargo Damage Trial," Transportation Law Association annual meeting, 2002. "Logistics Update," Transportation Law Institute, 2001; “Dealing With Emotional Distress Claims,” Mover Magazine, July, 2001. “Federally Mandated Arbitration Programs For Cargo-Damage Claims,” Mover Magazine, May 2001. “Federal Household Mover Regulations,” Georgia / South Carolina / Florida Movers Conference, May 2001. Numerous articles in the Georgia Movers Association Newsletter related to transportation law. “Recovery of Attorney Fees in Federal Court,” Middle District of Georgia CLE Seminar, October, 1998. “Georgia Limits Carmack Preemption,” American Law Firm Association Transportation Update, 1996. “Bold Easterners and the Myth of the CIA Elite,” North American Spies, University of Edinburgh Press, 1991.

Rob received his Bachelor of Arts in history from Wake Forest University (cum laude, 1991) and his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia (cum laude, 1995) where he was a member of the editorial board of the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law. Rob attended the University of Edinburgh during the 1989-90 academic year.