Profile
Former Ambassador Robert A. Sherman has wide-ranging experience in government, law, and the private sector. With 30 years of legal, international, and public service experience, Bob brings a unique perspective and understanding of the global landscape in providing strategic counsel to clients on international issues, particularly involving EU countries. Because of his experience, Bob is also called upon to assist foreign governments and business entities in navigating the complexities of U.S. government agencies.
Bob is a founding member and former co-managing shareholder of the firm's Boston office. He has wide-ranging trial and regulatory experience in the areas of government investigations and litigation, internal corporate investigations - with an emphasis on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance - as well as consumer protection matters. Bob has also represented clients in complex, high profile cases including those that have generated significant media attention. He served as co-lead counsel for hundreds of victims in the Boston Archdiocese clergy abuse scandal, which was the subject of the Academy Award-winning movie Spotlight.
Bob served as the United States Ambassador to Portugal from 2014–2017, having been nominated by President Barack Obama and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. As Ambassador, he focused heavily on bilateral economic development and international security issues, such as cybersecurity, refugees, narcoterrorism and NATO. In recognition of Bob’s work in the country, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa decorated him with the country’s highest civilian award, the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator.
In 2017, Bob was appointed as an independent board member of a major international bank, whose majority shareholder is an American private equity firm. Bob serves as chair of the Compliance Committee focusing on EU bank regulatory requirements and anti-money laundering rules. In addition, he serves on the Board of a FinTech company based in Barcelona, Spain, where he also chairs the Risk and Legal Committee.
In 2022 and 2023, Bob was actively involved in Maura Healey’s Campaign for Governor of Massachusetts, serving on her personally selected campaign Steering Committee. He was also an advisor to Andrea Campbell on her successful campaign for Massachusetts Attorney General. He served on both her campaign Steering Committee and post-election Transition Team.
From 1991–1993 Bob was the Assistant Attorney General of Massachusetts and Chief of the state’s Consumer Protection Division. There, he led the 45-person division which enforces the broad spectrum of laws protecting consumers.
Concentrations
- Commercial diplomacy
- Counseling companies on geopolitical issues
- Developing strategies for global market entry
- Domestic and foreign regulatory compliance and litigation
Capabilities
Experience
- Representation of a Central Asian country before the U.S. Department of State and leading private sector business organizations on rule of law issues.
- Represented foreign technology company in removal from U.S. Government sanctions list.
- Defended cyber security company in multi-state attorneys general action.
- Led a multi-office, 45 member team of attorneys engaged in a FCPA compliance investigation for a Fortune 50 company with operations in 29 countries around the world.
- Represented board of Fortune 50 company in internal investigation of wrongdoing by its president.
- Distinguished Visiting Professor, Católica University in Lisbon, PT, 2022-2023
- Graduate Seminar Entitled: Reimagining Leadership in a Dynamic World
- Undergraduate Course Entitled: Comparative Politics
- Guest Lecturer, MIT Sloan School of Management, 2017-Present
- Class Entitled Leading in Ambiguity
Recognition & Leadership
- Honoree, PALCUS International Leadership Award
- Honoree, Hall of Fame, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, 2024
- Honoree, Lifetime Achievement, ALM | Law.com New England Legal Awards, 2023
Credentials
- J.D., Boston University School of Law, 1978
- B.A., Political Science, University of Rochester, 1975
- Massachusetts
- Supreme Court of Massachusetts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts