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Biography Press Room

Bob Cleary is co-Chair of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Department and head of the Corporate Defense & Investigations Group. He joined Proskauer in June 2002, after a lengthy career as a federal prosecutor, including service as the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey and Southern Illinois. Bob has been repeatedly recognized in various publications as a leading practitioner, including US Legal 500, where clients described him as “cool, calm and collected” and a “master strategist.”

Bob concentrates his practice on white-collar criminal defense, SEC and related enforcement matters, securities litigation, complex civil litigation, tax controversies, and internal investigations. He has particular expertise in international criminal matters and foreign extradition proceedings. Currently, Bob is deeply involved in the numerous civil lawsuits and government investigations relating to the demise of Lehman Brothers.

 

He has been retained in many other high profile corporate scandals of the past several years, including, among others:
 

  • Air cargo criminal antitrust investigation and prosecutions
     
  • One of the largest FCPA cases ever indicted
     
  • Tyco criminal investigation and SEC enforcement action
     
  • New York Attorney General’s criminal and civil investigation of investment bank trading practices
     
  • Mutual fund investigations and enforcement actions
     
  • Insurance industry investigations and enforcement actions
     
  • Stock options backdating investigations and enforcement actions
     
  • Adelphia Communications accounting irregularities criminal investigation
     
  • Enron bankruptcy proceeding

Bob has 25 years of courtroom experience as a trial lawyer and appellate advocate. He recently served as lead trial counsel in what is believed to be the longest criminal antitrust trial in New York State history, representing the alleged “architect” of the charged antitrust and fraud scheme. After almost a year-long trial, Bob secured acquittals and dismissals on 36 of the 37 felony charges against the client. The lone count of conviction – on the lowest class of felony under New York law – is currently on appeal, which Bob is handling.