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Biography

As Chairman of Frost Brown Todd, Robert Sartin is passionate about a “culture of excellence” where the firm, working with dynamic and diverse teams, strives to help clients achieve their objectives efficiently and effectively. He was recently elected to a third term as Chairman and is the former chair of the firm’s Executive Committee.

Since taking the helm in 2018, Robert has helped organize the firm to deliver value to clients through FBT teams that understand a client’s business and are thought leaders of the industry in which the client operates its business. This focus has led the firm to strengthen service offering by adding talent and additional offices. In addition to overseeing the firm’s strategic direction, he also oversees the firm’s ancillary businesses and client development initiatives.

Robert was an early advocate of an industry focus. In 2009, in the wake of the OEM bailouts, Robert demonstrated his leadership when he convened FBT’s Automotive Industry Task Force and later relocated his practice to Nashville, where he helped the firm capitalize on the region’s burgeoning auto space. Today, the Automotive Industry Team is among the firm’s most esteemed and accomplished teams; their annual symposium, AutoConnect, draws thought leaders and industry titans from around the globe.

Throughout his decades-long career, Robert has maintained an active practice and worked in some of the most heavily regulated sectors – from coal to auto, to new ventures in health care and biopharmaceuticals – often acting as lead outside counsel for large national and multinational companies. Robert routinely advises clients on important contractual, transactional, tax, and compliance matters, including asset and stock acquisitions, M&A’s, joint venture formation and dissolution, private placements, tax planning, refinancings and corporate restructurings.

Robert is active with the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, applying his talents with other Nashville leaders to help Nashville and the surrounding area address the challenges of growth, transportation, and education.

Other Info About Robert

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Previously served as Frost Brown Todd’s service team leader for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. and led Frost Brown Todd’s representation of Toyota, with an emphasis in supplier and risk management matters.

Represents other OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in mergers and acquisitions, supply chain management and various other business matters.

Represents and has represented large coal companies in general corporate matters, including secured debt financings, coal lease issues, corporate restructurings and asset and stock acquisitions. Representative transactions range from $5 million to $860 million financings and/or acquisitions.

Serves as lead outside counsel to international veterinarian equine practice, having represented the company in converting from a corporation to a limited liability company; negotiating member buy-ins and buy-outs; and managing corporate refinancings and other corporate matters.

Served as lead outside counsel to a medical device start-up company, having represented the company in all phases of the start-up, including a multimillion-dollar private placement; interaction with patent counsel; negotiating buy-sell and other operating agreement matters; and negotiating hospital servicing agreements.

Education

Law School

Washington & Lee University, J.D., 1995
Moot Court Board, Chairman

Other Education

New York University, LL.M. (in Taxation), 1997

Undergraduate School

Baylor University, B.B.A., Finance & Economics, 1989

Bar Memberships

Robert is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Kentucky, 1995

Tennessee, 2011

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

The Best Lawyers in America®: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2006-2025; Litigation – Bankruptcy, 2011-2025

AV® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®

Mid-South Super Lawyers® 2012-2017

BTI Client Service All Star, 2014

Nashville Post In-Charge Legal, 2013-2019

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Bankruptcy Institute, Member

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

The Lexington Polo Club, President, 2008; Treasurer, 2007

Leadership Kentucky, Class of 2009

Bluegrass Tomorrow, 2008-2010

Firm Committees

Robert serves or has served in the following leadership role(s) at Frost Brown Todd:

Executive Committee, Member

Compensation Committee, Member

Lateral Partner Recruiting Committee, Member and former Chair

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