Robert A. Sweetapple

Robert A. Sweetapple

Bob Sweetapple is the Managing Member of the Boca Raton office of Sweetapple, Broeker & Varkas, P.L., and is an accomplished dual Florida Bar Board Certified lawyer in civil trial and business litigation. He has litigated in state and federal courts outside of Florida, including Kansas, North Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Louisiana. His jury trial experience includes three decades of trials involving the successful prosecution and defense of wrongful death, breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair and deceptive trade practices, libel and slander, piercing the corporate veil and other complex claims.

Bob has argued appeals in numerous Florida Appellate Courts, including the Third District Court of Appeal, Fourth District Court of Appeal, and Florida Supreme Court. He often litigates in state and federal courts outside of Florida, including Kansas, North Carolina, New Jersey, Connecticut and Louisiana. In addition, he has appeared as legal counsel before the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission and handled dozens of administrative hearings and arbitrations. Bob is a strong proponent of alternate dispute resolution and has appeared in well over 100 mediations. He serves as a mediator on complex commercial matters.

Bob Sweetapple has won dozens of jury verdicts, including a multi-million dollar punitive damage award in a wrongful death case, and numerous other punitive damage awards. Bob is also highly successful at settling cases prior to trial, and over the past five years has settled several multi-million dollar lender liability lawsuits against lending institutions. He has also successfully negotiated seven-figure settlements in complex commercial cases and real estate disputes. Bob is known for preparation, persistence, and a deep, abiding commitment to his clients’ causes.

Areas of Practice

• Commercial and Business Litigation
• Eminent Domain
• Lender Liability
• Commercial Torts, including Fraud, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices, Libel and Slander, Unfair Competition
• Mediation
• Municipal matters (including zoning)

Bar Admissions

• Florida, 1980
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
• U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court

Education

• University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Florida – 1979
• Colgate University, B.A – 1976

Languages

• English
• Spanish