Lawyers

Robert L. Ashe III, Partner

Robbie Ashe is a partner at Bondurant Mixson where he represents both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts. He focuses on issues involving politics, governments and governmental authorities throughout Georgia, particularly the City of Atlanta, metro Atlanta governments and the Georgia General Assembly.

In 2010, Robbie was appointed by the City of Atlanta to serve on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Robbie was elected by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the Board for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, and currently serves as the Treasurer.

Robbie’s government and political experience includes:

  • Negotiating transfers of government assets worth tens of millions of dollars.
  • Supervising teams of governmental finance experts and attorneys in the evaluation, negotiation and implementation of issues involving:
    • government procurement codes, including procurement disputes;
    • redevelopment issues, including condemnation, impact fees, and bonded indebtedness;
    • issuance of commercial paper by local government enterprise funds;
    • Georgia’s Open Records Act and Open Meetings Act;
    • sales and property tax disputes, exemptions, and appeals; and
    • government ethics and campaign finance issues. 
  • Planning and executing multi-year, public communications and advocacy campaigns resulting in multiple successful multi-billion dollar sales tax referenda.
  • Negotiating consolidation of Atlanta’s court system.
  • Advising the election and re-election campaigns of several Atlanta mayors, members of the Atlanta City Council and the Atlanta Public School Board, and numerous Georgia General Assembly members.
  • Defended Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms' victory throughout recount challenge.

Recent Representative Work

Successfully represented Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the City Council of the City of Atlanta in the lawsuit Governor Kemp brought in an effort to invalidate the Mask Order implemented by Mayor Bottoms. Successfully defended a $250 million food and beverage concessions contract award through an administrative protest, an administrative appeal, and multiple rounds of litigation.

Successfully represented Athens-Clarke County in defending a lawsuit against Athens-Clarke County’s COVID-related ordinances requiring masks in public spaces and reducing bars’ operating hours to make last call earlier.

Lead a trial team who helped the City of Brookhaven secure a unanimous ruling from a state-appointed arbitration panel. The ruling gives Brookhaven the right to move forward unimpeded with a 27+ acre annexation at the intersection of North Druid Hills and Briarcliff, thereby facilitating a major planned mixed-use development.

Won an extraordinary motion for a new trial on behalf of a bank seeking to enforce a guaranty.

Successfully represented commercial landlord in multi-day arbitration against tenant-in-possession regarding lease performance, including receiving attorneys’ fees.

Successfully represented both employers and former employees in employment covenant litigation, including enforcement and invalidation of non-competes and non-solicitation covenants.

Secured a confidential settlement representing TASER International, Inc. and 40 of its largest shareholders in a lawsuit against 8 Wall Street firms alleging RICO and securities violations arising out of the sale of securities.

Served as plaintiffs’ counsel in a class action breach of contract/RICO case against one of the nation’s largest shipping companies. The lawsuit alleged that the company intentionally overcharged its customers by imposing residential delivery charges for deliveries to non-residential addresses such as courthouses, government buildings and banks. The case was recently settled for $21.5 million.

Won trial defending an international hotel company against charges of theft of government property.

Professional Activities

Former Chairman, Board of Directors, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)

Former Class Representative, Georgia State Law Alumni Council
Master, Bleckley Inn of Court

Elder, Central Presbyterian Church

Founder and Former Board Member, Red Clay Democrats

Former Advisory Committee Member, Atlanta Legal Aid Society

Former Board Member and Secretary, Woodward Academy Alumni Association

Former Board Chair, Central Presbyterian Outreach Advocacy Center

Honors and Awards

Marshall Memorial Fellow

Graduate, Leadership Atlanta

Georgia Super Lawyer, 2020 - 2023

Georgia Rising Star, 2016 - 2019

Recognized as being "On The Rise" by the Fulton County Daily Report

Woodward Academy Distinguished Alumni Award: 2016

100 Most Influential Georgians 2018 and 2019, Georgia Trend

Atlanta’s Most Powerful Leaders 2019, Atlanta Magazine

News

Photo of Robert L. Ashe III
Atlanta
1201 West Peachtree Street NW
Suite 3900
Atlanta, GA 30309

Education

Georgia State University College of Law, J.D., 2009, summa cum laude

  • Legislative Editor, Georgia State Law Review
  • Board Member, Moot Court
  • Bleckley Inn of Court Pupil

Dartmouth College, B.A., 1997, Honors

Previous Experience

Intergovernmental Affairs Manager, Mayor’s Office of the City of Atlanta

Law Clerk, Chief Justice Carol Hunstein, Georgia Supreme Court

Law Clerk, Chief Judge Anne Barnes, Georgia Court of Appeals

Admissions