Robert D. Piliero is a shareholder practicing in Butzel Long’s New York office. He graduated from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania (1970) and Georgetown University Law Center (1974) where he served as Editor-in-Chief of Law and Policy in International Business.
Prior to joining Butzel Long, Mr. Piliero was the Managing Partner and Co-Chair of the Commercial Litigation Practice of Piliero Goldstein, LLP, in New York, New York. Mr. Piliero has extensive experience in litigation representing both corporate and individual clients. He also has extensive trial and appellate experience in both the prosecution and defense of mid-sized and large companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States and in arbitration tribunals both domestically and abroad.
Robert D. Piliero is a shareholder practicing in Butzel Long’s New York office. He graduated from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania (1970) and Georgetown University Law Center (1974) where he served as Editor-in-Chief of Law and Policy in International Business.
Prior to joining Butzel Long, Mr. Piliero was the Managing Partner and Co-Chair of the Commercial Litigation Practice of Piliero Goldstein, LLP, in New York, New York. Mr. Piliero has extensive experience in litigation representing both corporate and individual clients. He also has extensive trial and appellate experience in both the prosecution and defense of mid-sized and large companies in state and federal courts throughout the United States and in arbitration tribunals both domestically and abroad.
Mr. Piliero’s practice is concentrated in the area of complex commercial litigation in the financial services and corporate dispute areas. His cases involve high-stakes litigation and arbitration relating to sophisticated financial products, as well as disputes arising out of merger and acquisition agreements, significant manufacturing and supply agreements, accountants’ liability, distribution, trade regulation and antitrust matters, and intellectual property disputes. He also conducts client seminars and advises domestic and multinational clients with respect to distribution, employment, trade regulation, franchising and other matters.
Mr. Piliero is admitted to practice in the States of New York and New Jersey, in federal trial and appellate courts throughout the United States, and before the Supreme Court of the United States. He is listed in New York Super Lawyers (2007-2010), the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America (Litigation - Mergers & Acquisitions) and is a Martindale-Hubbell featured AV Peer Review Rated Lawyer.
Representative Matters
Financial Services
- Representation of significant hedge fund in $200 million dispute with global bank arising out of failed $1 billion mortgage-backed CDO 2 transaction
- Representation of different U.S and foreign banks in three separate disputes arising out of collapse of mortgage-backed securities market
- Representation of U.S. branch of foreign global bank in dispute arising out of the collapse of The Reserve Fund after it “broke the buck” in Net Asset Value
- Secured dismissal of all claims asserted against electronic trading platform of major U.S. bank in federal court litigation arising out of arbitrage of ADRs and underlying securities sold on foreign stock exchange
- Successful representation of significant purchaser of complex equity derivatives product in claims against a major global investment bank
- Representation of prominent hedge funds in 18 related federal and state court class action and individual litigations, as well as NASD and AAA arbitrations, arising out of criminal conduct of rogue portfolio manager that resulted in the liquidation of the funds
- Successful prosecution of shareholders’ derivative action against directors and officers of closely held corporation arising out of claims of corporate waste, fraud and mismanagement
- Representation of issuer in claims against underwriter arising out of a failed IPO
- Representation of global investment bank as creditor in significant bankruptcy proceeding arising out of 1994 collapse of derivatives market
- Successful representation of several significant foreign investor groups against global bank selling equity derivatives and swap products
Employment-Related Disputes
- Representation of numerous employers in actions involving “corporate raiding” of executives in financial services and other industries
- Successful defense of major construction industry manufacturer against claims of employee raiding
- Achieved summary judgment in favor of employees who joined a competitor of former employer
- Successful defense of numerous cases asserting discrimination based on gender, age and disability
Business Combinations and Divestitures
- Representation of corporate and individual defendants in direct action brought by partner in connection with operation of an international food services business
- Successfully prosecuted claim of seller of a business for increase in purchase price based on terms of stock-purchase agreement and post-closing adjustment process
- Successfully defended owners of a business against claims by private equity firm that final agreement had been reached for stock sale
Breaches of Commercial Contracts/Business Torts
- Successful representation of pharmaceutical company in prosecuting claims against contract manufacturer relating to conduct that caused product recall
- Representation of national independent sales representative organization in numerous contract disputes with suppliers
- Representation of major electronics manufacturers in numerous actions involving disputes with major accounts
- Successful representation of minority shareholders in closely held corporation in connection with claims arising out of buy/sell provisions in shareholders’ agreement
Intellectual Property Disputes
- Successful representation of numerous luxury goods and fashion apparel manufacturers in trademark infringement, gray market and counterfeiting disputes
- Successful defense of manufacturer accused of misappropriation of trade secrets and threatened with preliminary injunction that would have closed down one of its principal lines of business
- Prosecution of counterfeiting and trademark infringement action for Italian jewelry designer
Antitrust, Trade Regulation and Franchise Matters
- Representation of numerous manufacturers in federal and state court litigations involving pricing, territorial and other distribution matters
- Representation of franchisors and franchisees in “good cause” termination disputes
Professional Malpractice
- Prosecution and defense of accountants’ malpractice cases involving both public and private companies
- Prosecution of claims against wealth management consulting firm for breach of fiduciary duty, negligence and violation of Investment Advisers’ Act
- Prosecution of attorney malpractice claims arising in connection with client’s loss of European patent protection
- Defense of law firms against claims of negligence arising in tax shelter, securities and general contract areas
- Prosecution of massive negligence claims against national insurance broker on behalf of leasing/financing subsidiary of major auto manufacturer