Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The case results described on this page were dependent on the specific facts and legal circumstances of each matter. Every case is different, and the outcome of any particular matter cannot be predicted from prior results. Nothing on this page is a promise, guarantee, or prediction regarding the outcome of any legal matter. This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and reviewing it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
McMaster v. McCracken (2025) As counsel of record for the respondents, Robert J. Kaufman successfully defended against a petition for certiorari in McMaster v. McCracken, which the U.S. Supreme Court denied. The outcome preserved the respondents’ favorable result and reflects experience protecting client victories through the final stage of appellate review. McMaster v. McCracken, No. 25-503 (U.S. Nov. 24, 2025)
G. I. Apparel, Inc. v. Litsky (2006) Robert J. Kaufman helped preserve his client’s victory when the U.S. Supreme Court denied G. I. Apparel, Inc.’s petition for certiorari, bringing the company’s effort to obtain further review to a close. The result reflects strategic appellate advocacy focused on protecting a favorable judgment at the nation’s highest court. G. I. Apparel, Inc. v. Litsky, No. 05-1369 (U.S. May 30, 2006)
Namik v. Wachovia Bank of Georgia (2005) Lead counsel Robert J. Kaufman secured a Georgia Supreme Court victory for the Namik family, reinstating the trial court’s finding that Wachovia breached its fiduciary and contractual duties as trustee by disregarding the settlor’s investment instructions. The decision reinforced that professional trustees must exercise informed prudence and honor a client’s specific directions when managing trust assets. Namik v. Wachovia Bank of Georgia, 279 Ga. 250, 612 S.E.2d 270 (2005)
Sackett v. Wilson (1988) Robert J. Kaufman secured a Georgia Supreme Court affirmance for a purchaser whose sellers breached a real estate sales contract. The Court upheld partial summary judgment for the client, confirming that the sellers could not evade liability by pointing to an earlier sales agreement or by challenging the contract’s property description. Sackett v. Wilson, 258 Ga. 612, 373 S.E.2d 10 (1988)
Shaheen v. Dunaway Drug Stores, Inc. (1980) Robert J. Kaufman secured a Georgia Supreme Court ruling requiring dismissal of claims against his client for improper venue. The Court held that the claims in question were independent of a joint injunction action and therefore had to be brought in the client’s home county. Shaheen v. Dunaway Drug Stores, Inc., 246 Ga. 790, 273 S.E.2d 158 (1980)
McNeil v. Schwall (1976) Robert J. Kaufman helped secure a Georgia Supreme Court affirmance for the Schwall estate, defeating an ejectment claim where the plaintiff could not show that the estate was wrongfully withholding possession of the property. The decision underscored a fundamental property law principle: ejectment is unavailable when the claimant is already in undisturbed possession. McNeil v. Schwall, 236 Ga. 109, 223 S.E.2d 80 (1976)
Harris v. SAL Financial Services, Inc. (2004) Robert J. Kaufman secured a Georgia Court of Appeals reversal for trust representatives challenging a brokerage firm’s effort to compel arbitration. The court held that, where the plaintiffs specifically contested the arbitration clause’s validity, the trial court rather than an arbitrator had to decide enforceability, preserving judicial scrutiny of the disputed provision. Harris v. SAL Financial Services, Inc., 270 Ga. App. 230, 606 S.E.2d 293 (2004)
Sass Enterprises, Inc. v. Swift (2002) Robert J. Kaufman secured a Georgia Court of Appeals reversal for Sass Enterprises after a trial court blocked the company from arbitrating claims arising from its cemetery-business acquisition. The court enforced the parties’ broad arbitration agreement, confirming Sass’s right to arbitrate alleged escrow deficiencies notwithstanding the Secretary of State’s concurrent regulatory authority. Sass Enterprises, Inc. v. Swift, 255 Ga. App. 871, 567 S.E.2d 329 (2002)
White House, Inc. v. Winkler (1992) Robert J. Kaufman obtained a Georgia Court of Appeals reversal for a Georgia manufacturer seeking to recover after it relied on assurances of payment and began production on a substantial apparel order. The court preserved the client’s claims for enforcement of the alleged guaranty, promissory estoppel, and fraud, and confirmed that the nonresident defendant could be sued in Georgia. White House, Inc. v. Winkler, 202 Ga. App. 603, 415 S.E.2d 185 (1992)
Andrews v. Messina (1992) Robert J. Kaufman successfully defended a homeowner against contract and fraud claims premised on an alleged business partnership with a homebuilder. The Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for the client, finding no evidence of an actual partnership and no detrimental reliance to support partnership by estoppel. Andrews v. Messina, 206 Ga. App. 742, 426 S.E.2d 641 (1992)
Athens Wheel, Inc. v. Citizens & Southern Trust Co. (1991) Robert J. Kaufman successfully defended the Schacht estate and related appellees in a commercial lease dispute, obtaining affirmance of summary judgment. The Georgia Court of Appeals enforced the sublease as written, holding that the original tenant had assigned its right of re-entry and validating the estate’s termination of the lease following the unauthorized subletting. Athens Wheel, Inc. v. Citizens & Southern Trust Co., 201 Ga. App. 779, 412 S.E.2d 278 (1991)
Adams v. D & D Leasing Co. of Georgia, Inc. (1989) Robert J. Kaufman successfully defended D & D Leasing on the central liability issue arising from a vehicle lease default. The Georgia Court of Appeals confirmed that the agreement was a true lease rather than a disguised secured transaction, and that the lessee was liable for breach. The decision also clarified Georgia law on lease remedies by rejecting an unenforceable liquidated damages formula and requiring damages and attorney’s fees to be calculated under the proper legal standards. Adams v. D & D Leasing Co. of Georgia, Inc., 191 Ga. App. 121, 381 S.E.2d 94 (1989)
Walton v. James & Dean, Inc. (1985) Robert J. Kaufman successfully defended the enforceability of his clients’ written employment agreement in a commission dispute, with the Georgia Court of Appeals holding that the agreement was clear and unambiguous. The court further held that, by accepting benefits and performing under the agreement without seeking rescission, the employee waived any claim that the contract was executed under duress. The court remanded only to resolve a factual issue concerning whether compensation for services had been fully paid. Walton v. James & Dean, Inc., 177 Ga. App. 77, 338 S.E.2d 516 (1985)
Mapp v. First Georgia Bank (1980) Robert J. Kaufman secured affirmance of summary judgment for First Georgia Bank in a dispute over a repossessed vehicle. The Georgia Court of Appeals held that an abandoned vehicle sale conducted under an unconstitutional statute did not defeat the bank’s perfected security interest. Mapp v. First Georgia Bank, 156 Ga. App. 380, 274 S.E.2d 765 (1980)
Big Chief Truck Lines, Inc. v. Thaxton (1980) Robert J. Kaufman secured affirmance of dismissal and summary judgment for his clients in a commercial dispute. The Georgia Court of Appeals held that the appellant offered no evidence to rebut the appellees’ prima facie entitlement to summary judgment. Big Chief Truck Lines, Inc. v. Thaxton, 155 Ga. App. 233, 270 S.E.2d 399 (1980)
Carter v. R. H. Macy Co. (1978) Robert J. Kaufman secured affirmance of dismissal for R. H. Macy Co. in a pro se privacy and reputation suit. The Georgia Court of Appeals held the claim was time-barred under the applicable statute of limitations. Carter v. R. H. Macy Co., 147 Ga. App. 326, 248 S.E.2d 699 (1978)
U.S. Leasing Corp. v. Jones Pharmacy, Inc. (1977) Robert J. Kaufman secured an appellate reversal for U.S. Leasing Corporation after a jury had rejected its claim for the balance due under an equipment lease. The Georgia Court of Appeals held that the lease’s express warranty disclaimer and allocation of vendor-related claims barred the lessee’s failure of consideration defense, directing entry of judgment for the client. U.S. Leasing Corp. v. Jones Pharmacy, Inc., 144 Ga. App. 26, 240 S.E.2d 300 (1977)
Sabin Meyer Regional Sales Corp. v. Citizens Bank (1980) Robert J. Kaufman preserved his client’s negligence claim against a bank and its executive after the bank dishonored $100,000 in checks. The federal court held that a factual dispute remained over whether the defendants negligently reported that the drawer’s account would contain sufficient funds, allowing that claim to proceed. Sabin Meyer Regional Sales Corp. v. Citizens Bank, 502 F. Supp. 557 (N.D. Ga. 1980)
Bizub v. Commissioner (1983) Robert J. Kaufman secured favorable Tax Court findings for investors in a motion picture partnership, including a finding that the partnership operated with a genuine profit objective and findings allowing specified ordinary business expense deductions. Bizub v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 1983-280, 46 T.C.M. (CCH) 199 (1983)
Siegel v. Commissioner (1982) Robert J. Kaufman secured a favorable Tax Court finding that a limited partnership’s acquisition and exploitation of a motion picture was an activity engaged in for profit. The ruling supported the partnership’s entitlement to ordinary business deductions, subject to the court’s other limitations. Siegel v. Commissioner, 78 T.C. 659 (1982)
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