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Meet Your Advocates
Robert has spent his career representing Santa Barbara’s largest businesses, landlords and real estate developers in high stakes litigation in disputes over commercial contracts, real estate developments, single and multi-plaintiff employment claims, construction disputes, complex unlawful detainer matters, trademark infringement and trade secret misappropriation.
His approach to litigation with a business perspective, acting aggressively when needed while applying out of the box solutions in order to resolve disputes quickly and in a cost efficient manner has allowed his clients to get back to doing what they do best, running and growing their businesses. This practical and tenacious approach to problem solving has resulted in Robert being asked to join many of his clients’ management teams to act as outside general counsel for companies like AutoCamp, Rusty’s Pizza Parlors, St. George & Associates, Price Management, People’s Self Help Housing, Signature Parking and Strategic Incentives.
As a Santa Barbara native, Robert enjoys community involvement and has served on the Board of Trustees of his alma matter Bishop Diego High School since 2015 and on the Fundraising Committee for the Moxi Museum.
Education
University of California Hastings College of the Law, J.D.
University of California, San Diego, B.A.
Board Affiliations
Bishop Garcia Diego High School Board of Trustees
2015 to Present
Moxi Museum, Gala Committee
2023 to Present
Santa Barbara County Bar Association Past Director
Notable Litigation Matters
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Represented real estate developer in development, lease and management transaction resulting in trial victory that saw three separate agreements rescinded due to fraud by minority investor.
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Represented real estate purchaser in suit against title company arising from missed easement, resulting in $1.8 million verdict on behalf of client.
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Represented one of Santa Barbara’s largest landlords in class action with 4,000+ members, regarding security deposit returns, resulting in outright trial victory.
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Represented manufacturer in suit against Chinese entity over trademark and trade secret misappropriation, resulting in the issuance of an injunction and favorable settlement.
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Represented multiple restaurant chains, hospitality companies and construction company in various wage and hour class actions involving classes ranging u to more than 750 class members.
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Represented individuals against Russia’s largest fertilizer distributor alleging international money laundering.
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Represented educational institution in suit by 70 former students over alleged misrepresentations about school’s accreditation.
Notable Transactions
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Represented real estate development company to purchase and develop a luxury resort.
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Represented real estate development firms in multiple eight figure private equity raise.
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Represented real estate development companies in construction and permanent financing transactions for multi-family construction projects ranging up to $75,000,000.
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Represented regional landlords in refinancing transactions for multi-family properties.
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Represented aviation insurance company in seven figure capital raise from foreign investment partner.
Robert has spent his career representing Santa Barbara’s largest businesses, landlords and real estate developers in high stakes litigation in disputes over commercial contracts, real estate developments, single and multi-plaintiff employment claims, construction disputes, complex unlawful detainer matters, trademark infringement and trade secret misappropriation.
His approach to litigation with a business perspective, acting aggressively when needed while applying out of the box solutions in order to resolve disputes quickly and in a cost efficient manner has allowed his clients to get back to doing what they do best, running and growing their businesses. This practical and tenacious approach to problem solving has resulted in Robert being asked to join many of his clients’ management teams to act as outside general counsel for companies like AutoCamp, Rusty’s Pizza Parlors, St. George & Associates, Price Management, People’s Self Help Housing, Signature Parking and Strategic Incentives.
As a Santa Barbara native, Robert enjoys community involvement and has served on the Board of Trustees of his alma matter Bishop Diego High School since 2015 and on the Fundraising Committee for the Moxi Museum.
Education
University of California Hastings College of the Law, J.D.
University of California, San Diego, B.A.
Board Affiliations
Bishop Garcia Diego High School Board of Trustees
2015 to Present
Moxi Museum, Gala Committee
2023 to Present
Santa Barbara County Bar Association Past Director
Mr. Ozbirn brings over 15 years of legal expertise to every case. He has established himself as versatile and highly effective at resolving conflict as a lawyer. Mr. Ozbirn’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that effective dispute resolution begins with understanding not only the parties’ respective positions, but also their underlying interests, which facilitates strategic negotiations that elicit fair outcomes. Drawing from extensive experience in bet-the-company litigation and negotiations, his approach is tailored to each unique situation—prioritizing collaboration over conflict, and creative resolution over prolonged battles. Whether resolving business, trust, or personal injury disputes, Mr. Ozbirn seeks to guide parties toward solutions that not only resolve immediate concerns, but also foster long-term stability.
Mr. Ozbirn has mediated, negotiated, litigated, and tried cases on behalf of individuals and companies throughout California and beyond. He has acted as first-chair trial counsel, briefed and argued appeals, and represented clients in both state and federal court, including the Ninth Circuit. He has handled a wide array of cases, and his experience includes: catastrophic injuries and wrongful death claims; defending such claims on behalf of insured individuals; multi-million-dollar employment and discrimination cases; elder abuse cases; construction defect and other real estate matters; partnership disputes; trust and estate disputes; patent disputes; and more. In addition to his experience as a lawyer, Mr. Ozbirn has extensive experience in construction and real estate matters and remains involved in the management and oversight of commercial and residential income properties.
Education
McGeorge School of Law, J.D.
Pepperdine University, L.L.M. Dispute Resolution