The Business of Justice

Biography

Robert “Robby” Dube grew up working in his family’s small business and ranch, so he understands the needs of businesses and works tirelessly to advocate for them in a cost-effective manner. He is a zealous litigator, having briefed, argued, and won various motions before both state and federal courts, and engaged in every stage of the litigation process, including taking and defending depositions and arguing and winning summary judgment motions.

Robby is also an experienced maritime and admiralty litigator, arguing in federal courts around the country. From multimillion dollar barge sales in Hawai’i to tort claims on local Minnesota lakes, Robby has aggressively pursued his clients’ interests. Whether working for vessel owners or their insurer, Robby has the experience needed to achieve a successful outcome. Robby is also deeply familiar with pursuing claims against all levels of government, including bid protests, municipal litigation, challenging terminations for cause, drafting requests for equitable adjustments, and producing government contract compliance guides for businesses. He has recently engaged in significant Administrative Procedures Act challenges against the federal government’s regulations under the ESA and MMPA at the district and Circuit level.

Robby graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he served as Law Council President and as Executive Editor of the Minnesota Journal of International Law. He also served as the Head Writer for the law school musical T.O.R.T. (Theatre of the Relatively Talentless) and led the Orientation Program as a Program Director. After graduating, Robby clerked for Hawai’i Supreme Court Associate Justice Richard Pollack.

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota, 2020
  • U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 2020
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 2021

Education

  • University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
    • J.D. – 2019
  • University of Texas @ Dallas, Richardson, Texas
    • B.A.
    • Honors: Dean’s List
    • Major: Historical Studies and Political Science

Publications

  • Consociationalism: A Constitutional Solution for Ethnic Tension and Violence in South Sudan, Minnesota Journal of International Law, Volume 28 Issue 2, 2019
  • Guide to State Procurement: A 50-State Primer on Purchasing Laws, Processes, and Procedures, Third Edition – Illinois, Michigan, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota chapters

Honors & Awards

  • North Star Lawyer, 2022
  • Most Outstanding Contribution to Class of 2019
  • Mondale Hall Engagement Award, 2019
  • Gavin R.G. Hambly Scholarship, 2014

Presentations

  • I Came, ITAR, I Conquered – The Crucial Information Military Contractors Need to Know About the Rules of Exporting Arms on June 8, 2021, for PTAC
  • Doing Business with the Government- Opportunities and Pitfalls on January 20, 2022, for Minnesota CLE;
  • Don’t Fear the FAR on December 5, 2022, for PTAC
  • Doing Business with the Government – Opportunities and Pitfalls on January 27, 2023, for Minnesota CLE;

Associations & Memberships

  • The Federalist Society, Officer, Present
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Member, Present
  • Hennepin County Bar Association, Member, Present
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • The Federalist Society, Officer
  • Minnesota Law Alumni Association, Member
  • National Contract Management Association (NCMA), Twin Cities Chapter, President, Present
  • Federal Bar Association, Present
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, MSBA Assembly, Member, Present
  • Minneapolis Ethical Practices Board, Vice Chair – 2022

Past Employment

  • Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Richard Pollack, Judicial Law Clerk, 2019 to 2020
  • The Honorable Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer, U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN – Judicial Extern 2019
  • Fabyanske Westra Hart & Thomson, Minneapolis, MN – Summer Associate, 2018
  • University of Minnesota Law School Family Law Clinic, Minneapolis, MN – Certified Student Attorney, 2017-2018
  • Lexis Nexis, Minneapolis, MN – Student Representative, 2017-2019
  • Eckland & Blando LLP, Law Clerk, 2017 to 2018

Cases

    • Grzadzielewski v. City of Grand Forks, 18-2022-cv-00590 (N.D. 2022)
    • Ten7 v. Minneapolis Public Schools (Minn. 2022) (successfully lodging an award protest following government’s improper rejection of publicly bidded contract)
    • Smith v. USPS, 20-cv-498 (KMM/DTS) (D. Minn. 2020) (denying government’s motion to dismiss Title VII racial hostile work environment claim)
    • MAX v. Cosco Container Lines America, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 1:22-cv-10722-DJC (Nov. 10, 2022) (denying temporary restraining order sought against vessel owner on allegations that client was violating the Endangered Species Act)
    • FK Construction Funding LLC v. Nooleen, et al., Civil Action No. 0:21-cv-02226-DTS (Nov. 15, 2022) (obtaining summary judgment against debtor in favor of factoring client on personal guarantee)