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Robert O. Sheridan
Partner
Suite 3500
Boston, MA 02111
Rob concentrates his practice on employment and restrictive covenants litigation and counseling executives and companies throughout the United States.
With deep experience canvassing the employment sector, Rob advises and represents clients in areas such as discrimination and harassment, wage and hour law compliance, independent contractor and employee classification, reasonable accommodation for disabled employees, employee discipline and...
Rob concentrates his practice on employment and restrictive covenants litigation and counseling executives and companies throughout the United States.
With deep experience canvassing the employment sector, Rob advises and represents clients in areas such as discrimination and harassment, wage and hour law compliance, independent contractor and employee classification, reasonable accommodation for disabled employees, employee discipline and terminations, protection of trade secrets, and the enforcement of restrictive covenants and other employment-related agreements.
Rob also leads internal investigations of harassment and discrimination claims, wage and hour compliance issues, and whistleblower claims. He is well-versed in handling complex negotiations and drafting executive employment, separation, and other employment-related agreements on behalf of both privately and publicly held companies, as well as C-suite executives. Rob is likewise experienced in handling high profile executive transitions and terminations.
Additionally, Rob has litigated employment and commercial disputes before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, including state fair employment and human rights agencies.
His diverse legal background extends to complex business litigation, misappropriation of trade secrets, class action defense, securities litigation, and allegations of unfair and deceptive business practices. He has represented a broad spectrum of clients from small privately held companies to large multinational public companies.
Prior to establishing a career in law, Rob worked as a corporate financial analyst for two investment banks. He held Series 7 and 63 Registrations from the National Association of Securities Dealers (now the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). During his time in investment banking, he developed a transferable skillset which now lends itself to his legal practice and ability to negotiate and draft executive employment agreements and provide employment guidance on corporate mergers and acquisitions.
terminations, protection of trade secrets, and the enforcement of restrictive covenants and other employment-related agreements.
Rob also leads internal investigations of harassment and discrimination claims, wage and hour compliance issues, and whistleblower claims. He is well-versed in handling complex negotiations and drafting executive employment, separation, and other employment-related agreements on behalf of both privately and publicly held companies, as well as C-suite executives. Rob is likewise experienced in handling high profile executive transitions and terminations.
Additionally, Rob has litigated employment and commercial disputes before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, including state fair employment and human rights agencies.
His diverse legal background extends to complex business litigation, misappropriation of trade secrets, class action defense, securities litigation, and allegations of unfair and deceptive business practices. He has represented a broad spectrum of clients from small privately held companies to large multinational public companies.
Prior to establishing a career in law, Rob worked as a corporate financial analyst for two investment banks. He held Series 7 and 63 Registrations from the National Association of Securities Dealers (now the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). During his time in investment banking, he developed a transferable skillset which now lends itself to his legal practice and ability to negotiate and draft executive employment agreements and provide employment guidance on corporate mergers and acquisitions.
Experience
Previous Professional Experience
- Litigation associate, international law firm (2008-2017)
- Summer associate (May-August 2007)
- Corporate financial analyst, Financial Institutions Group, Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (2004-2005)
- Corporate financial analyst, Financial Institutions Group, Fox-Pitt Kelton, Inc., now part of Macquarie Group (2002-2004)
Internship
The Honorable Judge Christopher Muse, Massachusetts Superior Court (June 2006)
Representative Matters
Employee Mobility and Trade Secrets
- Extensive experience counseling clients concerning trade secret and restrictive covenant issues, including drafting applicable agreements, litigating and defending claims, and obtaining expedited injunctive relief enforcing restrictive covenants and securing the return and forensic deletion of stolen business information
- Represented international luxury travel company in obtaining immediate injunctive relief restricting competition and solicitation and requiring return and quarantine of stolen trade secrets and company information against group of former employees that started an unlawful competing business
- Led litigation team in successful prosecution of trade secret and non-compete action on behalf of electrical contracting company against former employees and their competing entity in Massachusetts
- Obtained immediate injunctive relief and resolution against former employee for breach of non-solicitation covenant in Florida
- Member of a litigation defense team representing life sciences and medical device corporations that defeated both a $220 million damages claim as well as trade secret misappropriation claims relating to a medical technology after a two-week trial and related hearings in Massachusetts
Wage and Hour Defense
- Led trial team through defense and successful resolution of wage and hour claims against software company and executives in Massachusetts Superior Court
- Led defense of high-stakes California wage and hour class action for luxury furniture manufacturer resulting in favorable settlement for client
- Defended hospital system against wage and hour class action related to meal breaks and overtime pay in Federal District Court for Massachusetts, including defeat of class certification
- Represented staffing company in wage and hour audit, investigation, and resolution with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation Defense
- Regularly defends employers in lawsuits and administrative agency complaints alleging violations of Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and equivalent state fair employment laws
- Led litigation teams for one of world’s largest banks in successful defense of discrimination and retaliation claims by former employees in three separate lawsuits in Massachusetts
- Obtained complete victory for school executive facing discrimination claims through dispositive motion practice in Massachusetts
- Member of trial team that defeated $1 million in claims against the largest U.S. staffing agency in federal court in Pennsylvania alleging sexual harassment and retaliation
- Secured dismissal of claims of disability discrimination and retaliation against school administrator in Massachusetts at pleading stage
Executives
- Extensive experience representing executives through every stage of employment cycle, including strategic counseling, drafting and negotiating employment and separation agreements, developing and executing transition and succession plans, and advice concerning restrictive covenants
- Clients have included C-suite executives, company founders, and executives in nationwide corporations and professional sports leagues, including LIV Golf and the National Football League
Commercial Litigation and Business Torts
- Represented leading HVAC company and parent entity with respect to claims for breach of a purchase agreement and restrictive covenants agreements. Through demand letters and negotiation, secured substantial pre-litigation resolution for client
- Member of litigation defense team for multinational corporation, which obtained favorable settlement in multijurisdictional breach of contract and defamation action brought by former employees
Education
-
Suffolk University Law School,
JD,
magna cum laude
(2008)
- President, Moot Court Honor Board
- Staff member, Suffolk Journal of Trial and Appellate Advocacy
- Jurisprudence Award for Professional Responsibility
- Dean’s List (2005-2008)
- Yale University, BA, History (2001)
Admissions
- Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Previous Professional Experience
- Litigation associate, international law firm (2008-2017)
- Summer associate (May-August 2007)
- Corporate financial analyst, Financial Institutions Group, Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (2004-2005)
- Corporate financial analyst, Financial Institutions Group, Fox-Pitt Kelton, Inc., now part of Macquarie Group (2002-2004)
Internship
The Honorable Judge Christopher Muse, Massachusetts Superior Court (June 2006)
Representative Matters
Employee Mobility and Trade Secrets
- Extensive experience counseling clients concerning trade secret and restrictive covenant issues, including drafting applicable agreements, litigating and defending claims, and obtaining expedited injunctive relief enforcing restrictive covenants and securing the return and forensic deletion of stolen business information
- Represented international luxury travel company in obtaining immediate injunctive relief restricting competition and solicitation and requiring return and quarantine of stolen trade secrets and company information against group of former employees that started an unlawful competing business
- Led litigation team in successful prosecution of trade secret and non-compete action on behalf of electrical contracting company against former employees and their competing entity in Massachusetts
- Obtained immediate injunctive relief and resolution against former employee for breach of non-solicitation covenant in Florida
- Member of a litigation defense team representing life sciences and medical device corporations that defeated both a $220 million damages claim as well as trade secret misappropriation claims relating to a medical technology after a two-week trial and related hearings in Massachusetts
Wage and Hour Defense
- Led trial team through defense and successful resolution of wage and hour claims against software company and executives in Massachusetts Superior Court
- Led defense of high-stakes California wage and hour class action for luxury furniture manufacturer resulting in favorable settlement for client
- Defended hospital system against wage and hour class action related to meal breaks and overtime pay in Federal District Court for Massachusetts, including defeat of class certification
- Represented staffing company in wage and hour audit, investigation, and resolution with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation Defense
- Regularly defends employers in lawsuits and administrative agency complaints alleging violations of Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and equivalent state fair employment laws
- Led litigation teams for one of world’s largest banks in successful defense of discrimination and retaliation claims by former employees in three separate lawsuits in Massachusetts
- Obtained complete victory for school executive facing discrimination claims through dispositive motion practice in Massachusetts
- Member of trial team that defeated $1 million in claims against the largest U.S. staffing agency in federal court in Pennsylvania alleging sexual harassment and retaliation
- Secured dismissal of claims of disability discrimination and retaliation against school administrator in Massachusetts at pleading stage
Executives
- Extensive experience representing executives through every stage of employment cycle, including strategic counseling, drafting and negotiating employment and separation agreements, developing and executing transition and succession plans, and advice concerning restrictive covenants
- Clients have included C-suite executives, company founders, and executives in nationwide corporations and professional sports leagues, including LIV Golf and the National Football League
Commercial Litigation and Business Torts
- Represented leading HVAC company and parent entity with respect to claims for breach of a purchase agreement and restrictive covenants agreements. Through demand letters and negotiation, secured substantial pre-litigation resolution for client
- Member of litigation defense team for multinational corporation, which obtained favorable settlement in multijurisdictional breach of contract and defamation action brought by former employees
Media
Insights
Events / Speaking Engagements
News
Alerts
Blogs
Recognitions
- 'Top Lawyer' for Labor & Employment, Boston Magazine (2023-2024)
- Benchmark Litigation "Litigation Star" – Labor and Employment (2022, 2024–2025)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Labor and Employment (2023–2025)
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Star, Employment Litigation (2016–2019)
Community
- Dennis Yacht Club Board of Governors (2022-present)
- University of Massachusetts Boston, Robert and Jean O'Hara Sheridan Scholarship Fund Committee (2012–present)
- Tufts Medical Center Board of Governors (2014–2022)
- Yale University, Reunion Gift Committee for 10th, 15th, and 20th Year Reunions (2011, 2016, 2021)
Rob concentrates his practice on employment and restrictive covenants litigation and counseling executives and companies throughout the United States.
With deep experience canvassing the employment sector, Rob advises and represents clients in areas such as discrimination and harassment, wage and hour law compliance, independent contractor and employee classification, reasonable accommodation for disabled employees, employee discipline and... terminations, protection of trade secrets, and the enforcement of restrictive covenants and other employment-related agreements.
Rob also leads internal investigations of harassment and discrimination claims, wage and hour compliance issues, and whistleblower claims. He is well-versed in handling complex negotiations and drafting executive employment, separation, and other employment-related agreements on behalf of both privately and publicly held companies, as well as C-suite executives. Rob is likewise experienced in handling high profile executive transitions and terminations.
Additionally, Rob has litigated employment and commercial disputes before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, including state fair employment and human rights agencies.
His diverse legal background extends to complex business litigation, misappropriation of trade secrets, class action defense, securities litigation, and allegations of unfair and deceptive business practices. He has represented a broad spectrum of clients from small privately held companies to large multinational public companies.
Prior to establishing a career in law, Rob worked as a corporate financial analyst for two investment banks. He held Series 7 and 63 Registrations from the National Association of Securities Dealers (now the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). During his time in investment banking, he developed a transferable skillset which now lends itself to his legal practice and ability to negotiate and draft executive employment agreements and provide employment guidance on corporate mergers and acquisitions.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Previous Professional Experience
- Litigation associate, international law firm (2008-2017)
- Summer associate (May-August 2007)
- Corporate financial analyst, Financial Institutions Group, Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (2004-2005)
- Corporate financial analyst, Financial Institutions Group, Fox-Pitt Kelton, Inc., now part of Macquarie Group (2002-2004)
Internship
The Honorable Judge Christopher Muse, Massachusetts Superior Court (June 2006)
Representative Matters
Employee Mobility and Trade Secrets
- Extensive experience counseling clients concerning trade secret and restrictive covenant issues, including drafting applicable agreements, litigating and defending claims, and obtaining expedited injunctive relief enforcing restrictive covenants and securing the return and forensic deletion of stolen business information
- Represented international luxury travel company in obtaining immediate injunctive relief restricting competition and solicitation and requiring return and quarantine of stolen trade secrets and company information against group of former employees that started an unlawful competing business
- Led litigation team in successful prosecution of trade secret and non-compete action on behalf of electrical contracting company against former employees and their competing entity in Massachusetts
- Obtained immediate injunctive relief and resolution against former employee for breach of non-solicitation covenant in Florida
- Member of a litigation defense team representing life sciences and medical device corporations that defeated both a $220 million damages claim as well as trade secret misappropriation claims relating to a medical technology after a two-week trial and related hearings in Massachusetts
Wage and Hour Defense
- Led trial team through defense and successful resolution of wage and hour claims against software company and executives in Massachusetts Superior Court
- Led defense of high-stakes California wage and hour class action for luxury furniture manufacturer resulting in favorable settlement for client
- Defended hospital system against wage and hour class action related to meal breaks and overtime pay in Federal District Court for Massachusetts, including defeat of class certification
- Represented staffing company in wage and hour audit, investigation, and resolution with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation Defense
- Regularly defends employers in lawsuits and administrative agency complaints alleging violations of Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and equivalent state fair employment laws
- Led litigation teams for one of world’s largest banks in successful defense of discrimination and retaliation claims by former employees in three separate lawsuits in Massachusetts
- Obtained complete victory for school executive facing discrimination claims through dispositive motion practice in Massachusetts
- Member of trial team that defeated $1 million in claims against the largest U.S. staffing agency in federal court in Pennsylvania alleging sexual harassment and retaliation
- Secured dismissal of claims of disability discrimination and retaliation against school administrator in Massachusetts at pleading stage
Executives
- Extensive experience representing executives through every stage of employment cycle, including strategic counseling, drafting and negotiating employment and separation agreements, developing and executing transition and succession plans, and advice concerning restrictive covenants
- Clients have included C-suite executives, company founders, and executives in nationwide corporations and professional sports leagues, including LIV Golf and the National Football League
Commercial Litigation and Business Torts
- Represented leading HVAC company and parent entity with respect to claims for breach of a purchase agreement and restrictive covenants agreements. Through demand letters and negotiation, secured substantial pre-litigation resolution for client
- Member of litigation defense team for multinational corporation, which obtained favorable settlement in multijurisdictional breach of contract and defamation action brought by former employees
Education
-
Suffolk University Law School,
JD,
magna cum laude
(2008)
- President, Moot Court Honor Board
- Staff member, Suffolk Journal of Trial and Appellate Advocacy
- Jurisprudence Award for Professional Responsibility
- Dean’s List (2005-2008)
- Yale University, BA, History (2001)
Admissions
- Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Practice Areas
- 'Top Lawyer' for Labor & Employment, Boston Magazine (2023-2024)
- Benchmark Litigation "Litigation Star" – Labor and Employment (2022, 2024–2025)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Labor and Employment (2023–2025)
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Star, Employment Litigation (2016–2019)
- Dennis Yacht Club Board of Governors (2022-present)
- University of Massachusetts Boston, Robert and Jean O'Hara Sheridan Scholarship Fund Committee (2012–present)
- Tufts Medical Center Board of Governors (2014–2022)
- Yale University, Reunion Gift Committee for 10th, 15th, and 20th Year Reunions (2011, 2016, 2021)
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