ROBERT KARDASHIAN Takes a Page from O.J. SIMPSON PLAYBOOK

Rob Kardashian just pled NOT GUILTY in his paparazzo battery and theft case ... but the headline here is that he was represented by Robert Shapiro ... the famed lawyer who represented O.J. Simpson along with Rob's father. 

TMZ has learned ... Rob appeared in court today with Shapiro and pled not guilty ... just like O.J. ... except he didn't say "100% not guilty."

Here's another twist --there's a Lindsay Lohan connection ... the judge who took the plea is none other than Marsha Revel, the recipient of Lohan's famous "f**k you" fingernail stunt during one of her many criminal court appearances in Bev Hills. 

As for Rob, he now faces trial for petty theft and misdemeanor battery for the March incident ... though Shapiro is famous for striking plea deals. He's also famous for LegalZoom.com.