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Robert A. Skinner
Partner
Ropes & Gray
One International Place
Boston, MA 02110-2624
T + 1-617-951-7560
F + 1-617-235-0434
+ 1-617-854-2230 secretary
E-mail
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Practice
Robert A. Skinner, a partner in the Litigation Department, focuses on complex litigation in a variety of areas, including business and commercial issues, securities, and insurance coverage. Rob also regularly counsels financial services clients in connection with regulatory investigations.
Professional Experience
Rob’s recent litigation experience spans many different jurisdictions, industries, and subject matters, including the following:
- Jury verdict in favor of Lloyd’s insurance syndicates and other European insurers following twelve-week trial in the Southern District of New York over insurance coverage for the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11. Currently representing insurers in related litigation against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey over additional multi-billion dollar claims.
- Argued and won a favorable decision in the Second Circuit enforcing arbitrability of a class claim asserted by a university endowment against a Russian oil and gas company.
- Obtained dismissal of derivative shareholder suit against mutual fund adviser alleging breach of fiduciary duty and securities law violations. Mutchka v. Harris, 373 F. Supp. 2d 1021 (C.D. Cal. 2005).
- Defending the advisers of two mutual fund complexes against shareholder claims challenging their advisory fees as excessive, in Minnesota and Illinois federal courts.
- Defending insurers against antitrust and civil RICO claims in the Northern District of Georgia.
- Won dismissal of claims against venture capital fund by former partner after proving that opposing party had defrauded the court by use of forged electronic evidence.
- Defended manufacturer in the largest environmental natural resources damages case in the history of country, tried in the Central District of California.
In addition to handling active litigation matters, Rob frequently advises investment advisers and other clients in their dealings with state and federal regulators.
Presentations & Speeches
- Panelist, Investment Company Institute's 2008 Independent Counsel Roundtable, Legal Issues Facing Counsel to Mutual Fund Independent Trustees and the Impact of the Jones v. Harris Associates Decision (July 2008)
- Presenter, Ignites Webinar on "Pricing Funds Post-Gartenberg " (Examining the Effects of the Seventh Circuit's Ruling in Jones v. Harris Associates) (June 2008)
Bar Admissions
Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, 2007
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, 2007
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, 2007
- Supreme Court of the United States, 2005
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, 2005
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, 1996
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit, 1995
- U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, 1995
Education
- 1994,
J.D., magna cum laude, Harvard Law School; Editor, Harvard Law Review
- 1991,
A.B., summa cum laude, Washington University in St. Louis; Phi Beta Kappa
©2008 Ropes & Gray LLP. All rights reserved.
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