Richard Harper > Baker Botts L.L.P. > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Baker Botts L.L.P.
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10112-4498
NEW YORK
United States

Work Department

Litigation

Position

Partner

Partner-in-Charge – New York Office

Career

Rich Harper advises and litigates on behalf of some of the world’s most sophisticated technology, media, and entertainment companies. He leads litigation teams in business tort and breach of contract disputes, ranging from trade secret litigation to business defamation claims for clients such as PepsiCo and Formula 1 Racing. Within the business tort field, Rich has built a leading national practice in fiduciary duty and securities litigation, having represented the company and/or directors of Liberty Media, NASCAR, Starz, and Charter Communications.

With a proven track record of success managing complex risk issues, Rich is a trusted advisor to management teams and directors, aligning business and legal strategies to achieve success in high-stakes commercial litigation. As co-chair of the firm’s Artificial Intelligence practice group, he helps clients navigate emerging AI-related litigation and regulations. In 2024, he will be teaching a seminar on Artificial Intelligence and the Law at Florida State University Law School. He also advises clients on ESG, joint ventures, and other corporate structuring issues.

In addition to leading the AI group, Rich serves as the Partner-in-Charge of Baker Botts’ New York office. He previously served as the New York office’s Litigation Department Chair and Hiring Partner, as well as on the firm’s Executive Committee. For over a decade, Rich has also served as part of the faculty for the Intensive Trial Practice Workshop at the University of Chicago Law School.

Memberships

New York State Bar

New Jersey State Bar

United States Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Fourth and Federal Circuits

United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York

United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

United States District Court for the District of Colorado

United States Court of Federal Claims

Education

J.D., University of Chicago Law School 1993
Member, University of Chicago Law Review

B.A., University of Chicago 1990
Phi Beta Kappa

Lawyer Rankings

United States > Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense

The ‘great commercial litigators’ at Baker Botts L.L.P. are active across a number of sectors, notably energy, defending corporate clients and their directors and officers facing merger-related suits in Delaware, Texas and the federal courts, in addition to offering assistance in related securities and derivative disputes. In Houston, managing partner Danny David and Amy Hefley lead on high-value disputes for clients and in 2024 defended Camber Energy, Inc. in a suit arising out of its 2023 merger with Viking Energy Group, with a former shareholder of the latter accusing Camber’s CEO of breach of fiduciary duties. Securities litigation and white collar matters form the core of head of the litigation team Bridget Moore‘s Washington DC-based practice. Richard Harper, who heads the firm’s New York office, is sought after by TMT sector clients facing M&A suits, including assisting Liberty Media in settling a shareholder derivative action related to the buyback of $2bn-worth of SiriusXM shares, of which Liberty is the controlling shareholder, alleging that Liberty directors had breached their fiduciary duties and effected a short term merger.

United States > Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes

Boasting a strong background in trade secrets, breach of contract and product liability disputes, Baker Botts L.L.P.’s broad litigation practice spans the gamut of commercial disputes. Based in Houston, Danny David is a go to for high-stakes disputes, including class actions, political crises and investigations. Richard Harper in New York spearheads the team’s involvement in business tort and contractual disputes, regularly called upon by tech, media and entertainment clients. Houston-based Amy Hefley co-chairs the litigation department and leads the firm’s securities litigation team. Linda Martin joined the team in New York from Freshfields in April 2025.