Jeff Robbins handles high-stakes litigation for companies and individuals who are entangled in corporate, shareholder, employment and a variety of other disputes, defending against or bringing defamation claims, or under corporate or congressional investigation. During his more than 35 years as a litigator and trial lawyer, Jeff has represented parties in high-profile First Amendment, corporate takeover, employment, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud-based cases, and has guided numerous companies, non-profits and individuals through matters involving intense media scrutiny. His notable cases include his successful defense of newspapers and other companies sued for defamation, resulting in two seminal defamation decisions issued by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upholding summary judgment for prominent defendants.
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Jeff was appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, where he focused on civil fraud cases and money laundering investigations, as well as investigations involving hospitals, physicians and pharmacies. There he was tapped to be the District's first Chief of the Asset Forfeiture Division. In 1997 he was appointed Chief Counsel for the Minority of the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and Deputy Chief Counsel for the Minority of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, where he represented Democratic senators in connection with an investigation into campaign fundraising practices during the 1996 presidential election. He was twice appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General in Massachusetts, representing the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth in congressional redistricting and public records litigation. In 1999 and then again in 2000 he was appointed by President Clinton as a U.S. Delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland.
Apart from his legal practice, Jeff has been a frequent commentator for national media on a variety of legal topics, including as a regular contributor to ABC News. He writes a nationally syndicated weekly column which appears in the Boston Herald and a number of newspapers and other publications around the country. A book comprised of his nationally syndicated columns from 2019 to 2024, entitled Notes from the Brink: A Collection of Columns About Policy at Home and Abroad, was published by Creators in May 2024. He has lectured widely throughout the United States and Canada on issues relating to the Mideast, and since 2016 has been a Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice at Brown University, where he teaches courses on congressional investigations and political journalism.
Jeff is the former Chairman of the New England Board of the Anti-Defamation League, and the former President of the World Affairs Council of Boston.
Jeff is a rare talent; he's deeply respected in legal, media and government circles. He's approachable and he has a dynamic, energized style.
- Massachusetts
Degrees
- J.D., Boston University School of Law, 1982
- B.A., Brown University, 1978
Honors & Awards
- Named to The Best Lawyers in America list, First Amendment Law, 2025 to present
- Named to The Best Lawyers in America list, Commercial Litigation, 2024 to present
- Named one of "America's Leading Lawyers in Commercial Litigation" by Chambers USA, 2022 to present
- Named a "Local Litigation Star" in Massachusetts by Benchmark Litigation, 2021 to present
- Named one of "America's Leading Lawyers in First Amendment Litigation" by Chambers USA, 2018 to 2025
- Selected for inclusion in Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2004 to 2007, 2011 to present
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
- Youth to Israel Award, 2017
- American Jewish Committee's Human Rights Award, American Jewish Committee, 2010
- Special Achievement Award, U.S. Department of Justice
- Commendations from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation and General Services Administration
Teaching Experience
- Visiting Professor of the Practice of Political Science, Brown University, 2016 to present
He brings a lot of gravitas and credibility to cases, is reachable 24/7 and gives quick responses, clear answers and clarity, according to one client, who adds: He has a very good ability to understand complex issues and render quick solutions. He is easy to work with, personable and develops great relationships.
Community Connections
- Board of Directors, The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law
- Board of Directors, Anti-Defamation League of News England
- Chairman, 2012-2014
- Board of Directors, American Jewish Committee
- Former President, World Affairs Council of Boston, 2001 to 2004