Robert W. Gifford
Partner
Robert Gifford helps businesses, financial institutions and company owners resolve serious commercial disputes before they escalate if possible, and through trial when needed. As a former prosecutor, he brings a clear plan and decisive action to conflicts by addressing relationship breakdowns, stopping misconduct where needed, and managing claims that threaten core assets or operations.
For most clients, high-stakes lawsuits are anything but routine. When financial and reputational risks pressure clients to take action, Rob balances speed, cost and outcome, keeping business realities front and center. He brings order and direction to complex issues, guiding clients through:
- Fraud, fiduciary breach, professional negligence and misrepresentation claims
- Conflicts involving oil and gas assets, leases or operational interests
- Lending‑related disputes including loan losses, workouts, and syndicated or club deals
- Partnership, ownership and control disputes that threaten business continuity
- Health care litigation, including revenue cycle disputes
Experience
- Secured favorable jury verdict in federal Medicare fraud action arising from allegations that physicians’ offices billed for uncovered services and services provided by uncredentialed staff.
- Secured favorable partial summary judgment and mediated resolution of complex fraud and professional negligence action arising from syndicated loan dispute.
- Secured favorable resolution for a financial institution in loan workout litigation stemming from third-party auditing failures, using on‑site investigation and technical expert analysis to show failures.
- Recovered oil and gas leases and compensation for a business owner’s estate after fiduciary duty dispute with former business manager, including unwinding completed transactions and negotiating return of core energy interests, and favorable monetary settlement with client’s former fiduciaries.
- Pursued multimillion-dollar claims for corporate client and client’s insurer against former advisers tied to conflicts of interest, disclosure of confidences, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty in Ponzi scheme involving asset-backed securities.
- Secured emergency injunctive relief and an ultimately favorable settlement for a closely held business after a partnership breakup, preserving the company’s value.
- Won trial victory for a 50% partner in a nine‑figure New York City residential real estate disposition and partnership dispute.