Patrick Robbins > Shearman & Sterling LLP > San Francisco, United States > Lawyer Profile

With a strong background in the financial services sector, Shearman & Sterling LLP has experience representing major US and non-US financial institutions in securities and antitrust litigation, particularly class actions, as well as regulatory investigations. The practice is led by Adam Hakki and Stephen Fishbein based in New York, and Patrick Robbins in San Francisco. Hakki is renowed for his expertise in securities litigation, acting for many of the firm’s major clients including Bank of America, Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley. He is also experienced advising underwriting syndicates of IPOs in securities class actions as well as representing banks in trading market class actions. Brian Burke, based in New York and Shanghai, is another key name to note, concentrating on regulatory investigations across the Asia Pacific region, particularly advising multinationals with operations in China in matters relating to the FCPA, anti-money laundering, economic sanctions and antitrust. Jerry Fortinsky, also based in New York, shares this focus in Asia and leads the China securities litigation practice where he frequently defends shareholder lawsuits against US-listed Chinese companies. Katherine Stoller is a prominent player in white collar defense and internal investigations relating to securities and accounting fraud, as well as insider trading and money laundering, noted for her engagement with Danske Banke in investigations by both the DOJ and the SEC along with European regulatory authorities into money laundering and securities fraud.

Shearman & Sterling LLP represents corporate and individual clients in domestic and international cartel investigations as well as civil litigation, with notable expertise in transatlantic matters. The firm has a particularly strong offering within the financial sector, counting major US and international financial institutions and financial services providers among its clients. Washington DC-based David Higbee and Djordje Petkoski co-head the team alongside San Francisco’s Patrick Robbins. Higbee is a former Antitrust Division litigator and frequently acts on matters before the DOJ and the FTC, and Petkoski’s practice focuses on criminal and internal investigations. Robbins specializes in criminal cartel litigation and has a strong record in successfully defending individual executives in governmental investigations.

Shearman & Sterling LLP fields a team that consists of former enforcement attorneys and federal prosecutors. Experienced in financial, securities and antitrust regulation, the practice is well positioned to handle parallel investigations by enforcement agencies and federal regulators including the SEC and DOJ. Trial lawyer Stephen Fishbein and managing partner Adam Hakki, both based in the firm’s New York office, lead the practice jointly with Patrick Robbins in San Francisco, whose areas of focus include foreign corrupt practices, accounting and securities fraud as well as insider trading. Also in New York, John Nathanson represents companies and individuals in internal investigations and civil securities litigation, while Katherine Stoller is a key contact for allegations of financial crime.

Shearman & Sterling LLP represents corporations, joint ventures, and partnerships in business disputes pertaining to breach of contract, fraud, professional malpractice, and insurance and reinsurance matters. The team also has thorough knowledge of financial products disputes, and advises clients across automotive, chemicals, healthcare, media and entertainment industries. Richard Schwed in New York is adept in a spectrum of litigations and investigations, including antitrust, commercial matters, and securities. He also represents clients before federal, state trial, and appellate courts, and co-leads the team alongside Adam Hakki, also in New York and San Francisco’s Patrick Robbins. Todd Stenerson in Washington, DC has been engaged in numerous breach of contract and ERISA cases, business torts, and dealer termination and RICO cases.

Shearman & Sterling LLP has a standout, internationally-facing financial services practice, representing both US and non-US financial institutions, including investment banks, in contentious matters that are often cross-border. The firm also has expertise regarding underwriting syndicates as well as representing clients before regulators, particularly the SEC, and in securities litigation relating to insider trading, market manipulation, accounting fraud and false statements. The practice is led by Adam Hakki, Richard Schwed, in New York, and Patrick Robbins, in San Francisco. Hakki is renowned for his expertise in securities litigation, acting for the firm’s major banking clients such as Morgan Stanley, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs on a range of significant securities matters. New York’s Daniel Lewis is another key name, representing significant banks in securities and market manipulation class actions in their role as underwriters, along with Grace Lee, who shares this focus in securities litigation in addition to her experience in bonds, and structured finance products including RMBS. The practice was joined throughout 2022 by Patrick Hein in San Francisco from the Eastern District of New York’s Attorney’s Office, Emily Black in Austin from Haynes and Boone, L.L.P., and Samuel Cooper in Houston from Paul Hastings LLP.

Shearman & Sterling LLP is particularly known for its strength in handling antitrust litigation in the financial services sector, also regularly advising in civil matters relating to price-fixing, group boycott and monopolization claims in the aviation and technology sectors. Situated in Washington DC, global antitrust practice leader, David Higbee, has recently represented clients in civil lawsuits including class actions and government investigations. Also heading up the team is Adam Hakki in New York, who has had significant involvement in representing clients such as BNP Paribas in trading market class actions and Patrick Robbins who is located in San Francisco. Richard Schwed represents financial institutions in class actions and private litigation including jury trials and operates in NY.  Other attorneys to note include Stephen Fishbein in New York for his experience in civil litigation concerning monopolisation claims and DC-based litigator Todd Stenerson. Ryan Shores has left the firm.

The securities litigation practice at Shearman & Sterling LLP is ‘at the forefront of creative solutions’ and clients remark that it has ‘a deep bench of creative thinkers who often take a novel approach’. The firm is particularly active in matters involving the financial services and life sciences sectors, and its work for underwriting syndicates stands out from the crowd. Adam Hakki and Richard Schwed in New York lead the team along with Patrick Robbins in San Francisco. Hakki and Houston-based Mallory Brennan achieved a significant victory for Jefferies in a securities litigation related to the acquisition of Waite Holdings by special purpose acquisition company Landcadia Holdings – one of the first cases to arise from the SPAC boom. ‘His grasp of the law and his aplomb in advocating for clients is unmatched’, say clients of Daniel Laguardia in San Francisco, who worked with New York partner Daniel Lewis to secure a favourable settlement for underwriters of CannTrust Holdings. Up-and-coming partners Grace Lee in Washington DC and Agnès Dunogué in New York are pivotal to the practice, which continues to expand its roster of talent. Samuel Cooper in Houston joined from Paul Hastings LLP, and he is currently representing various entities in the Arbor Venture Fund family in a complex matter. Class action and internal investigations specialist Emily Westridge Black in Austin joined from Haynes and Boone, L.L.P., and former federal prosecutor Patrick Hein in San Francisco joined from the US Attorney’s Office in New York.