Welcome to
Copple & Associates, P.C.

RFC's Dispute Management and Resolution Philosophy

In my more than 20 years of complex litigation experience, both as a large firm lawyer and as a Fortune 50 senior in-house litigation manager, I have handled major dispute issues from the prevention level to protracted negotiations to full blown litigation with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake. Those disputes, either between separate businesses or between business and government or public interest groups, cover a wide range of subject matter including intellectual property, environmental, natural resources, unfair competition, media, telecommunications and the internet, as well as more typical commercial litigation.

What I have learned is that there is no single formula for success that applies to all disputes.  Instead, each complex dispute requires a systematic approach designed to achieve the most effective and cost-efficient result.  In other words, the optimum solution.  Attaining such results requires a systematic approach to dispute management, which includes up front strategy development and, often, parallel courses of action.

Copple & Associates was founded on the idea that a sophisticated approach to dispute management can  result in the early resolution of most disputes by the parties, rather than by a judge and jury.  Perhaps more importantly, effective dispute management can prevent the unnecessary distraction of senior managers from the primary goals of their businesses.



                                                                                                  Robert F. Copple, J.D., Ph.D.

Recent RFC Developments . . .

Alternative Dispute Resolution:

Arbitrator in major biotech patent dispute between two Fortune 50 corporations involving product with a lifetime value of $40 billion.

Conducted mediation between patentee and large online gaming company.

Arbitrator in royalties and intellectual property dispute between two large internet content providers.

Arbitrator in dispute  between national IT provider and large hospital network regarding centralized medical record system.


Representations and Consulting

Developed comprehensive data management and security system for Fortune 400 information technology company.

Successfully completed multimillion dollar complex environmental negotiations for Fortune 50 company.

Successfully Negotiated Transfer of Environmental Responsibility From Client to Another Party.

Developed litigation strategy international semiconductor manufacturer regarding patent licensing program.

Developed Document Retention and Electronic Discovery Program for Fortune 500 Company



Professional and Academic:

Named as one of the 2007, 2008, and 2009 "Best Lawyers in America" in Biotechnology Law.

Named as one of the Phoenix Metro "Top Lawyers" by Phoenix Magazine.

Lead Editor and Coauthor of Biotechnology and the Law, published by the American Bar Association in 2007.

Appointed as Chairman of the Advisory Board and Research Fellow, Arizona State University College of Law Center for the Study of Law, Science, & Technology.

Presentation, "Managing Litigation Costs In The Great Recession," Federal Bar Association, Phoenix, AZ, April 16, 2009.

Presentation, "Biotechnology and the Law: The Lawyer as Counselor and Adviser," Arizona State University College of Law, Center for the Study of Law, Science and Technology, February 16, 2009. 

Program Chair, "The Complete Legal Negotiator," Arizona State Bar Convention, June 29, 2007.

Presentation, "Biotechnology Litigation: Dispute Avoidance, Preparation, and Resolution," ABA "Biotechnology and the Law: A Primer," June 7, 2007.

Invited Lecture, "ADR and the Technology Dispute," Arizona State University College of Law Center for the Study of Law, Science, & Technology, January 30, 2007

Appointed to eDiscovery Panel of Neutrals, CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution.

Appointed to the Executive Council of the Arizona State Bar Association Section on Alternative Dispute Resolution.