Miller Nash partner Bob Cumbow has been honored with the 2026 APEX Lifetime Achievement Award from the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA), recognizing his exceptional career as an intellectual property lawyer and his enduring contributions to the legal profession. Presented through the WSBA’s APEX (Acknowledging Professional Excellence) Awards, the honor celebrates individuals whose leadership, service, and dedication have left a lasting mark on the legal community and the public. Bob received the award in recognition of his professional excellence and his decades-long commitment to teaching, mentoring, and supporting generations of lawyers throughout Washington and beyond.
“This honor speaks to the tremendous respect Bob has earned throughout his career,” said Kieran Curley, Managing Partner at Miller Nash. “His excellence as an intellectual property lawyer, combined with his longstanding dedication to education and mentorship, has left a meaningful mark on the legal profession in Washington and beyond. We congratulate Bob on this outstanding and well-deserved achievement.”
Over his career of 35 years, Bob has built a reputation as a standout intellectual property (IP) lawyer, having been consistently recognized in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and the World Trademark Review. When providing colleagues and clients with legal advice, he always considers all facets of the matter. He provides constructive and informative guidance that includes potential opportunities and roadmaps to follow should the client proceed in one direction or another. Bob's passion for providing top-quality IP legal services, as well as educating the next generation of IP lawyers, comes from his truly deep appreciation for music, films, and other creative works, and for protecting the people who produce them.
Education is a cornerstone of Bob's approach to giving back to the public. He has taught IP law at Seattle University and the University of Washington for over 20 years. He has also served as a film lecturer at the Seattle International Film Festival, the Women’s University Club and the Northwest Film Forum, and taught film courses at Seattle University from 2010-2015. He is revered for his ability to engage students by discussing IP law through the lens of popular culture, language and history, as well as his skill at explaining complex legal topics in an accessible and engaging way. Bob's lectures also cover advocacy, client relations, marketing and even law office economics, fully preparing his students to succeed in the practice of law.
Bob is also renowned in the community for his mentorship. He is unwaveringly committed to the growth and success of others, whether they are clients, colleagues, students or younger attorneys. He is known for supporting law students and younger attorneys by connecting them to his own network and helping them take advantage of professional and educational opportunities.
