Robert B. Battista, Esq.
A Florida native, Mr. Battista has resided in Brooksville, Florida since 1989. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Virginia Military Institute and a Master’s of Arts in International Relations from the University of Arkansas. Mr. Battista earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1988. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit.
He served in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1985 where his duties included flying the F-4 Phantom jet, negotiating a contract for a computerized military exercise system, and developing and managing the entire European Theater and air crew training program for 21 squadrons. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for Exemplary Performance of Duties.
He served as Hernando County Assistant County Attorney from 1989 to 1993, providing a full range of legal services to various county departments, as well as legal support to the County Tax Collector, County Property Appraiser, Clerk of Court, Supervisor of Elections and the Hernando County Water and Sewer District. In 1993 he was designated Managing Attorney for the Hernando County Legal Department and was responsible for budget, personnel and administrative issues until 1995.
In 1995, he opened a private practice and in addition to representing clients in domestic, bankruptcy, social security disability, land use and commercial areas of the law, served as the City Attorney for the City of Brooksville, General Counsel to the Spring Hill Fire and Rescue District, and heard appeals of land use and development decisions for the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners until 2001.
He became the Citrus County Attorney in 2001 and was responsible for providing legal transactional and litigation services in support of the Board of County Commissioners and Administration. While in Citrus County, Mr. Battista supervised two assistant county attorneys, support staff, and created an active “preventative law” program providing periodic training to employees to ensure that staff was aware of statutory and case law changes that affected their department operations.
In 1992 Governor Lawton Chiles appointed Mr. Battista to the Fifth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission for a four year term and he was reappointed for another four year term in 1996.
"Butch" joined The Hogan Law Firm in September, 2011, where he serves as a member of the firm’s local government law practice.
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