|
Robert A. Skinner
Partner
|
|
|
|
Rob Skinner represents investment advisors and other financial services firms in securities litigation and other complex business disputes. In recent years, Rob has been heavily involved in litigating many of the leading issues facing the mutual fund industry, including subprime-related losses, excessive fee claims and prospectus liability. In addition to handling active litigation matters, he frequently advises investment managers and other clients in their dealings with state and federal regulators. Rob also has substantial experience in litigating major insurance coverage disputes on behalf of leading insurers, including trial and appellate victories in 9/11 World Trade Center coverage dispute.
- Harris Associates: Obtained U.S. Supreme Court victory for mutual fund advisor in Jones v. Harris Associates, 559 U.S. – (2010), the seminal decision establishing the liability standard for excessive fee claims under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act.
- State Street Global Advisors: Representing institutional investment manager in multiple federal actions relating to losses in subprime asset-backed securities in mutual funds and unregistered collective trust funds. Cases include ERISA class action and securities class action regarding mutual fund disclosures.
- ProShares Funds: Lead counsel for the largest sponsor of leveraged and inverse exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in multiple class actions alleging prospectus liability for inadequate risk disclosures.
- Ameriprise Financial, Inc: Pursuing claims against The Reserve Fund arising out of the 2008 “breaking of the buck” in the Reserve Primary Fund.
- Allianz Funds: As lead counsel, won dismissal of derivative shareholder suit against mutual fund advisor and trustees alleging breach of fiduciary duty and securities law violations.
- Institutional Investor: Argued and won favorable decision in the Second Circuit enforcing arbitrability of a claim asserted by a major university endowment against a Russian oil and gas company that issued American Depositary Receipts.
Honors & Awards
- “First Circuit litigation star,” Benchmark Appellate (2012)
- “Most Influential People” MutualFundWire (2010)
- Financial Times “U.S. Innovative Lawyer" (2010)
- "Future Star," Benchmark Litigation (2009-2011)
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2008-2011)
©1996-2012 Ropes & Gray LLP. All rights reserved.
|
|
PRACTICES
Litigation
Corporate
Education
-
JD, magna cum laude, Harvard Law School, 1994; Editor, Harvard Law Review
-
AB, summa cum laude, Washington University in St. Louis, 1991; Phi Beta Kappa
Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
|
|