{{Short description|American attorney}} {{Infobox person | name = Robert Giuffra | image = Bob Giuffra 524x735.jpg | birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|38|1998|9|27}}<ref name="wedding">{{cite web |title=WEDDINGS; Joyce Campbell, Robert Giuffra Jr. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/27/style/weddings-joyce-campbell-robert-giuffra-jr.html |publisher=The New York Times |access-date=July 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007181248/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/27/style/weddings-joyce-campbell-robert-giuffra-jr.html |archive-date=October 7, 2017 |date=September 27, 1998 |url-status=live}}</ref> | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | spouse = {{marriage|Joyce Campbell|1998}} | children = 3 | education = [[Princeton University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Yale University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]]) | employer = [[Sullivan & Cromwell]] }}
'''Robert Joseph Giuffra Jr.'''<ref name="wedding"/> (born {{birth based on age as of date|38|1998|9|27|noage=y}})<ref name="wedding"/> is an American attorney. He is Co-Chair and a [[Partner (business rank)|partner]] of [[Sullivan & Cromwell]] in New York, and is a member of their Management Committee. He is [[Donald Trump]]'s personal lawyer.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2026-05-14 |title=U.S. Set to Drop Charges Against Indian Billionaire Accused of Fraud |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/14/nyregion/gautam-adani-billionaire-doj-trump.html |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
==Personal life and education== Giuffra graduated from [[Bronxville, New York|Bronxville (N.Y.)]] High School in 1978.<ref name=":0">[http://www.myhometownbronxville.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=1569:robert-giuffra-bronxville-grad-of-78-argues-landmark-case-before-federal-court-of-appeals-on-behalf-of-fed-and-banks&Itemid=33 Robert Giuffra, Bronxville Grad of '78, Argues Landmark Case for Banks and Fed before US Court of Appeals]," MyHometownBronxville, 24 March 2010</ref> He earned his bachelor's degree ''summa cum laude'' and [[Phi Beta Kappa]] from [[Princeton University|Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs]] in 1983.<ref name=":0" /> Giuffra graduated from [[Yale Law School]] in 1987.<ref name=":0" /> In 1998, Giuffra married Joyce Campbell, a former press secretary for Senator [[Bob Dole]].<ref name=":0" /> The Giuffras have three children (Elizabeth, Caroline and Robert Giuffra III) and live in Manhattan and Southampton.<ref name=":0" />
==Career== Giuffra served as a law clerk to Judge [[Ralph K. Winter Jr.|Ralph Winter]] of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1987 to 1988<ref name="law360.com">{{Cite web|title = Securities MVP: Sullivan & Cromwell's Robert Giuffra - Law360|url = http://www.law360.com/articles/488599/securities-mvp-sullivan-cromwell-s-robert-giuffra|website = www.law360.com|access-date = 2015-05-29}}</ref> and to Chief Justice [[William Rehnquist]] of the United States Supreme Court from 1988 to 1989.<ref>{{Cite news|title = WEDDINGS; Joyce Campbell, Robert Giuffra Jr.|url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/27/style/weddings-joyce-campbell-robert-giuffra-jr.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 1998-09-27|access-date = 2015-05-29|issn = 0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title = Lawyer Limelight: Robert Giuffra|url = http://www.lawdragon.com/lawyer-limelights/robert-giuffra/|access-date = 2015-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title = Days of Scandal a Boon to Powerful Legal Clique|url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jul-30-mn-8523-story.html|newspaper = Los Angeles Times|date = July 30, 1998|access-date = 2015-05-29|issn = 0458-3035|language = en|first = GERALDINE|last = BAUM}}</ref> He joined [[Sullivan & Cromwell]] in 1989.<ref name=":0" />
Giuffra represented Robert Wallach, counsel to former [[Edwin Meese|U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese]], in obtaining the dismissal of his conviction in the [[Wedtech]] case; [[Armand D'Amato]], the brother of then-Senator [[Al D'Amato|Alfonse D'Amato]], in securing the reversal of his mail fraud conviction; David Duncan, the former Arthur Andersen LLP partner who served as lead auditor for Enron and whose guilty plea was later vacated by a federal court; Vornado Chairman and CEO Steven Roth at trial and on appeal.<ref name="wed">[http://www.law360.com/articles/764550/trial-pros-sullivan-cromwell-s-robert-giuffra “Trial Pros: Sullivan & Cromwell’s Robert Giuffra,”] Law360, March 7, 2016</ref><ref name="weds">[https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/01/nyregion/ruling-backs-d-amato-kin-in-fraud-case.html “Ruling Backs D’Amato Kin in Fraud Case,”] by Jonathan Rabinovitz, The New York Times, 1 November 1994</ref><ref>[http://ccl.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Sullivan%20%20Cromwell%20Bio_R_Giuffra_1_2017.pdf Yale Law School Partner Profile: Robert J. Giuffra, Jr.], at the Yale Law School Center for the Study of Corporate Law</ref>
In 2011, Giuffra served as the lead counsel to a group of leading financial institutions in separate actions in New York State court against MBIA challenging its 2009 restructuring, winning the appeal in the New York State Court of Appeals.<ref name="litweek">[http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2011/07/litigatorftheweek070111.html Litigator of the Week: Robert Giuffra, Jr., of Sullivan & Cromwell] by David Bario, July 1, 2011</ref> In 2003 and 2004, Giuffra served as counsel to the Audit Committee of Computer Associates. He later represented Computer Associates in settling investigations by the Department of Justice and SEC.<ref name="WSJ">{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB109595287644926066 |title=In CA Probe: Recovered E-Mails, Surprise Cache of Documents |first1=Charles |last1=Forelle |first2=Joann S. |last2=Lublin |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |date=September 24, 2004 }}</ref>
In 2014, Giuffra represented [[Enbridge]] in obtaining a unanimous jury verdict dismissing [[Energy Transfer Partners]]’ claims seeking more than $1 billion in damages from Enbridge based on alleged tortious interference with a pipeline project.<ref>[https://texaslawbook.net/enbridge-witnesses-there-was-never-a-ring-on-enterprises-finger/ Enbridge Witnesses: There Was Never a Ring on Enterprise’s Finger],"by Natalie Posgate, The Texas Lawbook, February 24, 2014</ref>
In 2015, Giuffra represented The New York State Bankers Association, which sued in federal court to overturn New York City's Responsible Banking Act, legislation that sought to regulate the activities of banks receiving deposits from the City. Judge [[Katherine Polk Failla]] of the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of New York]] struck down the law.<ref name="KPF">[http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150810/BLOGS02/150819990/judge-strikes-down-de-blasio-effort-to-regulate-banks “Judge strikes down de Blasio effort to regulate banks,”] by Aaron Elstein, Crain's New York Business, August 10, 2015</ref>
During 2015, Giuffra also represented [[DISH Network]] and [[EchoStar]] in obtaining the dismissal of tortious interference claims seeking billions of dollars in damages in an adversary proceeding begun in connection with LightSquared’s Chapter 11 cases.<ref>“[https://www.law360.com/articles/741665/-1-5b-lightsquared-suit-against-dish-network-dropped $1.5B LightSquared Suit Against Dish Network Dropped],” by Jonathan Randles, LAW360, December 23, 2015</ref>
In March 2017, Giuffra obtained the dismissal with prejudice of a multibillion-dollar putative class action against [[UBS]] by [[Enron]] shareholders who asserted that UBS bankers knew, and failed to disclose, relevant information about the energy company's finances.<ref>[https://www.law.com/litigationdaily/almID/1202780438166/litigators-of-the-week-knocking-out-the-last-of-the-enron-suits/?slreturn=20190008133052 Litigators of the Week: Knocking Out the Last of the Enron Suits],” by Miriam Rozen, The Am Law Litigation Daily, March 3, 2017</ref>
Giuffra represented [[Fiat Chrysler]] Automobiles in its litigation with the U.S. Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board and class action plaintiffs over alleged violations of diesel vehicle emissions regulations.<ref>“[https://cleantechnica.com/2018/04/11/fiat-chrysler-us-justice-department-close-to-settling-on-diesel-emissions-cheating-scandal/ Fiat Chrysler & US Justice Department Close To Settling On Diesel Emissions Cheating Scandal],” by James Ayre, Clean Technica, April 11, 2018</ref> In 2019, Fiat Chrysler reached final settlements to resolve those cases.<ref>“[https://www.wsj.com/articles/fiat-chrysler-emissions-settlement-11547137242?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=3 Fiat Chrysler Warns of $800 Million in Costs Related to Emissions Settlement],” by Timothy Puko and Mike Colias, The Wall Street Journal, January 10, 2019</ref>
Giuffra was counsel for [[Volkswagen AG]] in the multi-district litigation arising from government investigations into the automaker's use of defeat device software.<ref name="vw">[https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/business/international/volkswagen-emissions-scandal-fix-hearing.html “Court Sets Deadline for a Volkswagen Diesel Fix, but Solution Could Prove Elusive,”] by Jack Ewing, The New York Times, March 24, 2016</ref> He negotiated a $14.7 billion settlement with U.S. federal and state regulators and class action plaintiffs.<ref name="tal">[http://ccl.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Sullivan_Cromwell_Articles_Bob_Giuffra.pdf Litigators of the Week: One for the History Books,”] by Jenna Greene, The American Lawyer, October 28, 2016</ref> He since has secured the dismissal of related cases brought by the states of Alabama, Tennessee, Minnesota, Wyoming and Missouri alleging violation of state environmental laws.<ref>[https://www.law.com/therecorder/2018/04/17/breyer-tosses-government-actions-against-volkswagen/?slreturn=20190218143246 Breyer tosses Government Actions Against Volkswagen],” by Amanda Bronstad, The Recorder, April 17, 2018</ref><ref>[https://cookcountyrecord.com/stories/511450179-volkswagen-defeats-il-s-1b-lawsuit-over-emissions-cheating-judge-says-fed-law-doesn-t-permit-state-action Volkswagen defeats IL's $1B lawsuit over emissions cheating; judge says fed law doesn't permit state action],” by Scott Holland, The Cook County Record, June 8, 2018</ref><ref>“[https://www.law360.com/articles/1057819/vw-dodges-missouri-s-1b-diesel-emissions-scandal-suit VW Dodges Missouri's $1B Diesel Emissions Scandal Suit],” by Dean Seal, LAW360, June 27, 2018</ref><ref>“[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-volkswagen-emissions/u-s-judge-rejects-wyomings-environmental-lawsuit-against-volkswagen-idUSKCN1BB2GS U.S. judge rejects Wyoming's environmental lawsuit against Volkswagen],” by David Shepardson, Reuters, August 31, 2017</ref><ref>“[https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-balks-states-pursuit-vw-emissions-scandal/ Judge Balks at States’ Pursuit of VW in Emissions Scandal],” by Nicholas Iovino, Courthouse News Service, August 1, 2017</ref><ref>“[https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/benchslap-pricey-lesson-for-lawyers-in-volkswagen-opt-out-case Benchslap Pricey Lesson for Lawyers in Volkswagen Opt-Out Case],” by Roy Strom, Bloomberg Law, June 29, 2023</ref>
Giuffra reportedly was one of the attorneys who declined to represent President [[Donald Trump]] in special counsel [[Robert Mueller]]'s investigation of Russian efforts to interfere with the 2016 U.S. presidential election.<ref>“[https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/27/all-the-lawyers-declining-to-represent-trump-in-mueller-probe.html Here are the lawyers who quit or declined to represent Trump in the Mueller probe],” by Kevin Breuninger, CNBC.com, March 27, 2018</ref> Giuffra has represented former [[Deputy National Security Advisor]] [[K. T. McFarland]] in connection with the Mueller investigation. He reportedly persuaded federal investigators that McFarland had not intentionally misled them about her exchanges with former [[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor]] [[Michael Flynn]] regarding conversations with Russian Ambassador [[Sergey Kislyak]] concerning sanctions targeting the Russian government.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/former-top-white-house-official-revises-statement-to-special-counsel-about-flynns-calls-with-russian-ambassador/2018/09/21/77bb8a7e-bb50-11e8-bdc0-90f81cc58c5d_story.html?noredirect=on Former top White House official revises statement to special counsel about Flynn’s calls with Russian ambassador],” by Shane Harris and Devlin Barrett, The Washington Post, September 22, 2018.</ref>
In 2022, Giuffra represented [[Allianz]] when the SEC and DOJ investigated the "Structured Alpha" funds managed by Allianz. Guiffra helped Allianz reach a settlement with a guilty plea of $6 billion in payments to investors and government authorities.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Godoy |first=Jody |date=2023-07-12 |title=US judge finalizes Allianz's $6 billion criminal settlement |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-judge-finalizes-allianzs-6-billion-criminal-settlement-2023-07-12/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>
Giuffra represented [[Goldman Sachs]] in [[Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. v. Arkansas Teacher Retirement System]], which was a $13 billion class action lawsuit seeking damages after the 2008 financial crisis. Following 13 years of litigation, Giuffra and his team successfully reversed the decision from a lower court to end the case in favor of Goldmans Sachs in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bardash |first=Ellen |date=November 7, 2024 |title=A Look Back at 'Goldman Sachs': How Price Impact Is Changing Securities Class Actions |url=https://www.law.com/litigationdaily/2024/11/07/a-look-back-at-goldman-sachs-how-price-impact-is-changing-securities-class-actions/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=American Lawyer |language=en}}</ref>
=== Donald Trump's personal lawyer === At Sullivan & Cromwell, Giuffra is currently leading the appeal against the [[prosecution of Donald Trump in New York]], which had produced a criminal conviction and [[Discharge (sentence)|unconditional discharge]] in January 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bromwich |first=Jonah E. |date=2025-01-29 |title=Trump Hires Elite Law Firm for Appeal of His Criminal Conviction |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/29/nyregion/trump-criminal-conviction-appeal.html |access-date=2025-01-29 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In 2025, Giuffra sat in on a meeting where President Donald Trump negotiated an agreement with the law firm [[Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison|Paul, Weiss]] which he had targeted as part of a larger retaliation campaign against law firms that represented his political opponents. Giuffra drafted an agreement where Paul, Weiss would give into various of Trump's demands.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marcus |first=Ruth |date=2025-03-27 |title=How Donald Trump Throttled Big Law |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/how-donald-trump-throttled-big-law |work=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=Christine |date=April 28, 2025 |title=How a Sullivan & Cromwell leader landed in Paul Weiss-Trump deal discussions |url=https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2025/04/28/how-a-sullivan--cromwell-leader-landed-in-paul-weiss-trump-deal-discussions-/?slreturn=20250604140336 |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=American Lawyer |language=en-US}}</ref>
In May 2026, the ''New York Times'' reported that the Department of Justice under the [[Second presidency of Donald Trump|second Donald Trump administration]] was in the process of dropping bribery charges against [[Gautam Adani]], an Indian billionaire.<ref name=":2" /> This came in the wake of Adani hiring a new legal team led by Giuffra.<ref name=":2" />
==Public service and political activities== Giuffra served as a White House aide during the administration of President [[Ronald Reagan]].<ref name=":1"/> Giuffra served as chief counsel to the [[United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs|Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs]] from 1995 to 1996, helping to draft the [[Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name="law360.com"/> Giuffra served as counsel to the [[United States Senate Whitewater Committee|Senate Whitewater Committee]].<ref name=":1" />
Governors of both parties have appointed Giuffra to state government positions. Giuffra served on the ''New York State Commission on Public Integrity'' from 2007 to 2009, overseeing state government ethics and lobbying laws.<ref name="ReferenceA">"Gov. Spitzer Announces Appointments to New York State Commission on Public Integrity," US Fed News, September 21, 2007</ref><ref>“[https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/21/meet-the-commission-on-public-integrity/ Meet the Commission on Public Integrity],” by Nicholas Confessore, The New York Times, September 21, 2007</ref> He also served as a commissioner of the New York State Ethics Commission from 1998 to 2007.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Giuffra also served as president of the Federal Bar Council from 2008-10.<ref name="fbc">[http://www.federalbarcouncil.org/FBC/Publications/Quarterly/Federal_Bar_Council_Quarterly_-_Dec._Jan._Feb._2009.aspx?WebsiteKey=da1567e8-b8f4-4228-8b17-e42df31006c8 "Federal Bar Council Quarterly] - Dec./Jan./Feb. 2009"</ref><ref name="fbcb">[http://www.federalbarcouncil.org/FBC/Publications/Quarterly/Federal_Bar_Council_Quarterly_-_Sept._Oct._Nov._2010.aspx?WebsiteKey=da1567e8-b8f4-4228-8b17-e42df31006c8 "Federal Bar Council Quarterly] - Sept./Oct./Nov. 2010"</ref> He is Chair of the Board of Advisors of the Yale Law School Center for the Study of Corporate Law<ref name="cls">[http://ccl.yale.edu/Organization#Board_of_Advisors Board of Advisors, Yale Law School Center for the Study of Corporate Law]</ref> and a member of the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities of New York.<ref name="btc">[http://catholiccharitiesny.org/about-us/board-trustees Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, Board of Trustees and Officers]</ref><ref name="btcc">[http://www.downtownny.com/board-of-directors Downtown Alliance, Board of Directors]</ref> He is the Chairman of the [[American Swiss Foundation]].<ref name="swis">[http://www.americanswiss.org/assets/1/7/Media_Release_March_15_2016.pdf “American Swiss Foundation Elects New Chairman Robert J. Giuffra, Jr.,”] press release, March 15, 2016</ref>
Giuffra is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers <ref>Journal of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Spring 2019 (page 80)</ref> and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. In 2017, The American Lawyer named him “Transatlantic Disputes/Regulatory Lawyer of the Year” for his representation of Volkswagen,<ref>“Clydes, Skadden and Quinn Emanuel among big winners at Transatlantic Legal Awards; Clyde & Co takes Transatlantic Law Firm of the Year at Legal Week-American Lawyer event,” by Chris Johnson, Legal Week, June 8, 2017</ref> and in 2014 “Litigator of the Year” for his work in defending UBS and Porsche.<ref>“[https://www.sullcrom.com/siteFiles/News/001011407_Sullivan.pdf Litigator of the Year Winner],” in The American Lawyer, January 2014</ref> In 2011, he was named one of 10 leading U.S. legal innovators by the Financial Times.<ref>“[https://www.ft.com/content/209bf7d4-044a-11e1-ac2a-00144feabdc0 Individuals: Leading Lights: Profiles of 10 Legal Innovators Who Shone Brightly in This Year’s FT Report],” The Financial Times, November 3, 2011</ref> In 2019, he received the Judge Simon H. Rifkind Award.<ref>“[http://www.jtsa.edu/rifkind2019 Judge Simon H. Rifkind Award Luncheon],” March 14, 2019</ref>
== See also == * [[List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States (Chief Justice)]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.sullcrom.com/ Sullivan & Cromwell] * [http://www.americanswiss.org/ American Swiss Foundation]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Giuffra, Bob}} [[Category:American lawyers]] [[Category:Law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Yale Law School alumni]] [[Category:Princeton School of Public and International Affairs alumni]] [[Category:Sullivan & Cromwell partners]] [[Category:1968 births]] [[Category:Donald Trump attorneys]]