Palm Harbor, FL business litigation attorney Robert D. Eckard discusses what it takes to be successful in the courtroom as well as his background & experience and his scholarly work. He emphasizes that mastery of the rules of procedure and evidence is fundamental to effective trial practice. In his view, litigation is often won or lost before ever stepping into the courtroom—much like preparing for a major sporting event. Preparation is critical, and it includes understanding the judge, researching opposing counsel, and anticipating strategies. Beyond preparation, he believes successful trial lawyers must combine confidence with emotional intelligence, the ability to read and respond to others, adaptability to adjust arguments on the spot, and strong ethical grounding. Effective communication and the ability to convey a client’s story are also central, as litigation ultimately comes down to competing narratives.

He is a graduate of Stetson University College of Law, where he earned honors, and holds licenses to practice in Florida, Washington, D.C., and Texas. He is admitted to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, all federal courts in Florida, the International Court of Trade, the United States Supreme Court, and the United States Tax Court. Early in his career, he served as an Assistant State Attorney, prosecuting a wide range of cases from misdemeanors to felonies. He later pursued advanced legal studies, earning an LL.M. in International Law and Business.

His professional accomplishments include being named a Florida Super Lawyer in business litigation from 2017 through 2023 and recognition in Florida’s Legal Elite for commercial and business litigation. He is also one of fewer than 300 attorneys in Florida board certified in business litigation. His combined experience in both criminal and business law provides a unique advantage in handling matters that may involve exposure in either area.

In addition to his practice, he has taught continuing education courses for attorneys and authored numerous works on topics including judgment enforcement, post-judgment proceedings, damages in business litigation, business divorce, covenants, representations and warranties in contracts, the overlap between probate and business litigation, and attorney billing practices. He has also handled international criminal narcotics trafficking cases and written on the risks of practicing international criminal defense. Further, he has published articles on ten key international treaties and conventions every U.S. lawyer should understand and has taught courses on evidence and the law of private placement memorandums.