Robert M. Frost Jr.

Practice Areas and Experience

Robert M. (Bob) Frost, Jr. focuses his practice on federal and state criminal defense and civil litigation. He also represents attorneys and law firms in licensing matters, court sanction proceedings, and disciplinary (grievance) matters.

In his criminal defense practice, Bob represents individuals at all stages of the criminal justice process. In federal court, he has represented individuals charged with narcotics trafficking, mail and wire fraud, racketeering (RICO), violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VCAR), food stamp fraud, social security fraud, and possession and distribution of child pornography. In state court, he has represented individuals charged with felony murder, attempted murder, robbery, home invasion, burglary, drug possession/sale, assault, breach of peace, threatening, sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor, enticing a minor, larceny, credit card fraud, DUI, reckless driving, and minor motor vehicle offenses.

Lawyers seeking ethics counsel have hired Bob to represent them in court sanction proceedings, disciplinary investigations conducted by the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, in grievance hearings before local grievance panels, and in hearings before the Statewide Grievance Committee.

The balance of Bob’s litigation practice focuses on individuals and businesses involved in commercial disputes. He handles everything from simple breach of contract matters to more complex cases involving disputes between and among business owners, partners, and LLC members. He has been involved in representing municipalities, law practices, medical practice groups, and business professionals. In addition, out-of-state law firms frequently hire Bob to serve as local counsel because of his experience and knowledge of local practice.

Professional Experience Outside Frost | Bussert

Bob was formerly a partner at a large Bridgeport law firm, serving as a co-chair of the firm’s litigation department. He is active in bar association activities, including the Connecticut Bar Association’s Federal Practice Section, where he serves as an officer and member of the Executive Committee. He also serves by appointment on the Federal Grievance Committee, a committee of lawyers appointed by the U.S. District Judges for the District of Connecticut to hear grievance complaints against lawyers admitted to practice in federal court.

Sample of Results in Practice

• In December 2015, Bob secured a complete acquittal for their client in State v. F. The client had been facing up to 50 years in prison based on multiple manslaughter and gun charges, including Manslaughter with a Firearm. After hearing closing arguments, the six-person Bridgeport jury deliberated for approximately one hour before delivering the not guilty verdict. The client, who had been detained since September 2014, was released immediately.
• In September 2015, Bob successfully challenged a new law purporting to give the Connecticut Department of Banking jurisdiction to separately license and regulate attorneys who practice in the area of consumer debt negotiation. On September 15, 2015, the Connecticut Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion agreeing with Bob that the Banking Department’s interpretation of the statute violates Separation of Powers principles under the Connecticut Constitution. See Persels & Associates, LLC v. Banking Commissioner, No. SC 19359.
• In May 2014, after two previous juries deadlocked in the case, Bob persuaded a third Bridgeport jury to acquit his client of murder. Bob was the defense attorney in all three trials. In the third trial, the jury acquitted his client of murder after hearing four days of testimony and deliberating for another four days. The jury deadlocked on two lesser charges of manslaughter and assault, but the State agreed not to pursue the charges in a fourth trial. The court later dismissed the case and the client is now a free man.
• In November 2013, Bob was successful in securing not guilty verdicts for his client on charges of murder, felony murder, and attempted robbery. The client was convicted of only the lesser charge of conspiracy to commit robbery. At trial, Bob had to overcome testimony from four alleged co-conspirators, all of whom testified as cooperating witnesses for the State that Bob’s client was the shooter. After three weeks of jury selection, eight days of evidence, and four days of jury deliberations, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on the murder and attempted robbery charges, thereby sparing Bob’s client a sentence of life imprisonment.
• Bob represented a high-ranking police officer charged with having sex with several underage male high school students that the officer met through an on-line social networking site. State and federal authorities investigated the case, which generated substantial publicity in the local press. On the first day of trial, the state dropped all felony charges and the client elected to accept a plea to three misdemeanors requiring only ten days in jail each and three years’ probation with no sex offender conditions. The federal investigation was terminated as well, and Bob was successful in preserving a substantial portion of the officer’s pension.
• Bob secured a complete dismissal of all claims asserted against his client, the majority member of a two-member limited liability company (LLC) engaged in the business of web hosting and internet marketing. In the action, the minority member had sued Bob’s client individually in federal court, alleging that his client breached a multimillion dollar buy-out agreement with the minority member and grossly mismanaged the business. After extensive briefing, a federal court judge dismissed the corporate mismanagement claims for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Then, on the eve of trial, Bob was able to secure a dismissal with prejudice of the multi-million dollar breach of contract claim.

About Bob

Bob grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut and resides in Guilford with his wife and daughters. He loves the Boston Red Sox and tries to escape to Cape Cod with his family whenever possible.

Publications

Contributing author, Connecticut Criminal Procedure, Chapters 13 and 14: “Presenting the Case at Trial: Parts I and II” (Law Journal Press 2016). For more information, click here.

Awards and Recognitions

From 2013 to 2015, the publishers of Connecticut Magazine named Bob a Connecticut Super Lawyer® in the field of criminal defense. In 2015, Super Lawyers recognized Bob as one of the Top 50 attorneys in Connecticut, based on the point totals received during the selection process. For more information on the selection process, click here.

From 2009 to 2012, Connecticut Magazine named Bob a Connecticut Rising Star®. For more information on the Connecticut Rising Star process, click here.

Bob also maintains an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, indicating “very high” ethical standards and “very high to preeminent” legal ability. Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings attest to a lawyer’s legal ability and professional ethics, and reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and Judiciary. For more information on the rating system and process, click here.

In 2009, Bob received the Pat Hart Service Award in recognition of his efforts on behalf of the Music & Arts Center for Humanity, Inc., a non-profit school of the arts located in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Professional Affiliations

Greater Bridgeport Bar Association

Connecticut Bar Association
Federal Practice Section, Executive Committee Criminal Justice Section Professional Discipline Committee

American Bar Association
Section of Litigation, Ethics & Professionalism Committee

American Inns of Court

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)

Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (CCDLA)

Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA)

Presentations

• CTLA Annual Criminal Litigation Seminar, Ethical Conundrums for the Criminal Attorney (March 3, 2012)
• Fairfield County Bar Association, Gone Baby Gone: Background Checks and Rap Sheets in the Age of Technology (November 17, 2009)
• Fairfield County Bar Association, Ethics for the Criminal Defense Practitioner: Avoiding the Pitfalls of the Practice (October 16, 2007)

Press

Bob’s cases have garnered public attention and have been covered in both the local and national media.