Robert L. Tobey

Robert L. Tobey

Commercial Litigation

3.0 (1 reviews)
Dallas, Texas
45+ years experience
Johnston Tobey Baruch PC
Updated:

Contact Information

12377 Merit Drive, Suite 880, Dallas, TX 75251
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Bio

2020 Dallas Bar Association President Robert Tobey knows where all the bodies are buried. He is a master at preparing and handling cases for trial, arbitration, or settlement. Robert litigates cases himself and as part of the Johnston Tobey Baruch trial team.“Robert’s attention to detail is phenomenal,” says firm co-founder Randy Johnston. “He can tell you exactly how to keep yourself out of trouble.”Robert is Board Certified in Consumer and Commercial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. More than any other specialization, this one requires a broad knowledge of civil law.Robert served as the 2020 President of the Dallas Bar Association, an honor that speaks volumes about the respect he commands from his peers in the Dallas legal community. Robert presently serves as an Elected Director on the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors.A 1980 graduate of the University of Texas School of law, Robert began his undergraduate work at Southern Methodist University and graduated as a finance major (B.S. in Economics) from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He was associated with two law firms before joining Randy Johnston in a litigation practice in 1987. Perhaps Robert’s best recommendation is the testimonial he received from a client who was defrauded by an investment company until Robert made it right.“Our situation was desperate until Robert Tobey took the case.” “It was just Robert against a roomful of lawyers on the other side. And he outsmarted all of them.”In 2020, Robert was named to the Lawdragon 500, which annually recognizes the 500 Leading Lawyers in America. He also earned selection as Lawyer of the Year in Legal Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Dallas/Fort Worth in 2020, 2021, and 2022 by Best Lawyers in America. The Best Lawyers in America has recognized Robert every year since 2013 in its annual edition in the areas of Commercial Litigation, as well as Legal Malpractice Law and Professional Malpractice Law for both plaintiffs and defendants. Robert has been featured among the Texas Super Lawyers in 2003-2022 by Thomson Reuters, and earned Top 100 rankings statewide in 2015 and Top 100 in Dallas/Fort Worth in 2014-2015 and 2017. D Magazine and his peers voted him among the Best Lawyers in Dallas from 2013-2022. Robert has been assigned the highest AV rating by Martindale Hubbell and a superb 10.0 rating by Avvo.For the past decade, Robert has been involved with a number of legal industry organizations. He currently serves as President of the Dallas Bar Association and served as Co-Chair of the Equal Access to Justice Campaign (2014-15), and as Chair of the Trials Skills Section (2015), the CLE Committee (2015), the Judiciary Committee (2014), the Transition to Law Committee (2013), the Bench Bar Committee (2012), the Tort and Insurance Practice Section (2011) and the Business Litigation Section (2010).Robert also serves as Chair of the Advisory Board of the Greater Dallas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.Partner Randy Johnston attests to his expertise. “When Robert speaks, you get true words of wisdom. If he says it, you can take it to the bank.”Speaking EngagementsTo book Robert Tobey to speak to your group, contact us at 214.741.6260.Robert speaks often on the following topics:How to Avoid Malpractice and the Grievance CommitteeContracting for Ethical Attorneys’ FeesSocial Media TopicsThe Anti-SLAPP StatuteHow to Avoid Being Robbed at Pen PointThe Art of Negotiation 2020 Dallas Bar Association President Robert Tobey knows where all the bodies are buried. He is a master at preparing and handling cases for trial, arbitration, or settlement. Robert litigates cases himself and as part of the Johnston Tobey Baruch trial team.“Robert’s attention to detail is phenomenal,” says firm co-founder Randy Johnston. “He can tell you exactly how to keep yourself out of trouble.”Robert is Board Certified in Consumer and Commercial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. More than any other specialization, this one requires a broad knowledge of civil law.Robert served as the 2020 President of the Dallas Bar Association, an honor that speaks volumes about the respect he commands from his peers in the Dallas legal community. Robert presently serves as an Elected Director on the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors.A 1980 graduate of the University of Texas School of law, Robert began his undergraduate work at Southern Methodist University and graduated as a finance major (B.S. in Economics) from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He was associated with two law firms before joining Randy Johnston in a litigation practice in 1987. Perhaps Robert’s best recommendation is the testimonial he received from a client who was defrauded by an investment company until Robert made it right.“Our situation was desperate until Robert Tobey took the case.” “It was just Robert against a roomful of lawyers on the other side. And he outsmarted all of them.”In 2020, Robert was named to the Lawdragon 500, which annually recognizes the 500 Leading Lawyers in America. He also earned selection as Lawyer of the Year in Legal Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Dallas/Fort Worth in 2020, 2021, and 2022 by Best Lawyers in America. The Best Lawyers in America has recognized Robert every year since 2013 in its annual edition in the areas of Commercial Litigation, as well as Legal Malpractice Law and Professional Malpractice Law for both plaintiffs and defendants. Robert has been featured among the Texas Super Lawyers in 2003-2022 by Thomson Reuters, and earned Top 100 rankings statewide in 2015 and Top 100 in Dallas/Fort Worth in 2014-2015 and 2017. D Magazine and his peers voted him among the Best Lawyers in Dallas from 2013-2022. Robert has been assigned the highest AV rating by Martindale Hubbell and a superb 10.0 rating by Avvo.For the past decade, Robert has been involved with a number of legal industry organizations. He currently serves as President of the Dallas Bar Association and served as Co-Chair of the Equal Access to Justice Campaign (2014-15), and as Chair of the Trials Skills Section (2015), the CLE Committee (2015), the Judiciary Committee (2014), the Transition to Law Committee (2013), the Bench Bar Committee (2012), the Tort and Insurance Practice Section (2011) and the Business Litigation Section (2010).Robert also serves as Chair of the Advisory Board of the Greater Dallas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.Partner Randy Johnston attests to his expertise. “When Robert speaks, you get true words of wisdom. If he says it, you can take it to the bank.”Speaking EngagementsTo book Robert Tobey to speak to your group, contact us at 214.741.6260.Robert speaks often on the following topics:How to Avoid Malpractice and the Grievance CommitteeContracting for Ethical Attorneys’ FeesSocial Media TopicsThe Anti-SLAPP StatuteHow to Avoid Being Robbed at Pen PointThe Art of Negotiation “Robert’s attention to detail is phenomenal,” says firm co-founder Randy Johnston. “He can tell you exactly how to keep yourself out of trouble.” Robert is Board Certified in Consumer and Commercial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. More than any other specialization, this one requires a broad knowledge of civil law. Robert served as the 2020 President of the Dallas Bar Association, an honor that speaks volumes about the respect he commands from his peers in the Dallas legal community. Robert presently serves as an Elected Director on the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors. A 1980 graduate of the University of Texas School of law, Robert began his undergraduate work at Southern Methodist University and graduated as a finance major (B.S. in Economics) from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He was associated with two law firms before joining Randy Johnston in a litigation practice in 1987. Perhaps Robert’s best recommendation is the testimonial he received from a client who was defrauded by an investment company until Robert made it right. “Our situation was desperate until Robert Tobey took the case.” “It was just Robert against a roomful of lawyers on the other side. And he outsmarted all of them.” In 2020, Robert was named to the Lawdragon 500, which annually recognizes the 500 Leading Lawyers in America. D Magazine and his peers voted him among the Best Lawyers in Dallas from 2013-2022. Robert has been assigned the highest AV rating by Martindale Hubbell and a superb 10.0 rating by Avvo. For the past decade, Robert has been involved with a number of legal industry organizations. He currently serves as President of the Dallas Bar Association and served as Co-Chair of the Equal Access to Justice Campaign (2014-15), and as Chair of the Trials Skills Section (2015), the CLE Committee (2015), the Judiciary Committee (2014), the Transition to Law Committee (2013), the Bench Bar Committee (2012), the Tort and Insurance Practice Section (2011) and the Business Litigation Section (2010). Robert also serves as Chair of the Advisory Board of the Greater Dallas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Partner Randy Johnston attests to his expertise. “When Robert speaks, you get true words of wisdom. If he says it, you can take it to the bank.” Speaking Engagements To book Robert Tobey to speak to your group, contact us at 214.741.6260. Robert speaks often on the following topics:

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Dallas/Fort Worth (2025)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Dallas/Fort Worth (2022)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Dallas/Fort Worth (2021)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Dallas/Fort Worth (2020)
  • Recognized: Commercial Litigation
  • Recognized: Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
  • Recognized: Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
  • Recognized: Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
  • Practice Area: Litigation - Securities
  • Practice Area: Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
  • Best Lawyers in America - 2013-2026
  • Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters – 2003-2025
  • Best Lawyers in America - Lawyer of the Year - 2021-2022, 2025
  • Best Lawyers in Dallas – D Magazine – 2012-2020
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers, 2020
  • Top 100: Dallas/Fort Worth Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2015, 2017, 2024-2025
  • Top 100: Texas Super Lawyers: 2015
  • AV-Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Avvo Rating - Superb 10.0/10.0

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013

Education

  • The University of Texas, J.D., graduated 1980

Reviews

B

Benjamin Smith

2 weeks ago

A competent veteran attorney, but communication could improve

I hired Robert Tobey to represent me in a professional malpractice dispute against a former financial advisor. His reputation and 45 years of experience, particularly his recognition as a Lawyer of the Year in this field, were the primary reasons for my choice. There's no question he knows the Dallas legal landscape inside and out, as his background as a past Bar Association president suggests. His strategic assessment of my case was sharp, and he clearly has the seasoned judgment to prepare for any outcome, be it settlement or trial. However, my experience was mixed. While the legal work itself seemed thorough, I often felt out of the loop. Responses to emails or calls could take several days, and updates were sometimes delivered in a very matter-of-fact, abbreviated manner. For a client navigating a stressful situation, this lack of consistent communication was a significant drawback. The firm's processes also felt somewhat slow at times. Ultimately, my matter was resolved adequately, and I believe his expertise was a factor. I would acknowledge his deep competence, but for someone who values proactive communication and clear, frequent dialogue, the experience may feel more transactional than collaborative. He is undoubtedly a skilled attorney, but managing client expectations is an area where there's room for improvement.

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