Atty. Robert L. Tobey

Atty. Robert L. Tobey

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.

Dallas Dallas 46 yrs experience 46 year
Call (214) 741-6260 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Robert L. Tobey at a glance

Robert L. Tobey is a business and litigation attorney based in Dallas, Texas, practicing at Johnston Tobey Baruch PC. They have 46+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1980. Admitted to practice in Texas (1980). Educated at The University of Texas (J.D., 1980). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (2026). Serands clients in Dallas, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

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 Engagements

To 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 Committee
  • Contracting for Ethical Attorneys’ Fees
  • Social Media Topics
  • The Anti-SLAPP Statute
  • How to Avoid Being Robbed at Pen Point
  • The Art of Negotiation

Practice Areas Explained

Robert L. Tobey's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Robert L. Tobey handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Robert L. Tobey is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Texas →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Robert L. Tobey is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Texas →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Texas

Practicing law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Dallas are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Texas state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Texas brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Texas courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Dallas or all attorneys in Texas.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Robert L. Tobey

Where is Robert L. Tobey's law office located?
Robert L. Tobey's law practice is located in Dallas, Texas. The firm is Johnston Tobey Baruch PC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Robert L. Tobey handle?
Robert L. Tobey focuses on business, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Texas.
How long has Robert L. Tobey practiced law?
Robert L. Tobey has 46+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1980.
Where did Robert L. Tobey go to law school?
Robert L. Tobey earned their education at (J.D., 1980).
How can I contact Robert L. Tobey for a consultation?
You can contact Robert L. Tobey directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Robert L. Tobey received?
Robert L. Tobey's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants; Best Lawyers in America — Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs; Best Lawyers in America — Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:.

Education

J.D.
The University of Texas
- 1980

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Securities
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters – 2003-2025
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — D Magazine
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — – 2012-2020
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers, 2020
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 100: Dallas/Fort Worth Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2015, 2017, 2024-2025
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 100: Texas Super Lawyers: 2015
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — AV-Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Avvo Rating - Superb 10.0/10.0
- 2026
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

Bar Admissions

Texas
Admitted: 1980

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