George J. Skelly joined the Business Litigation group in fall 2003. George focuses his litigation practice on the representation of clients in commercial litigation, securities litigation, SEC investigations and enforcement litigation, class actions, high-technology disputes, directors and officers insurance disputes, and constitutional cases.
Prior to joining the firm, George was a partner at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
After graduating from Columbia University School of Law in 1984, George was a law clerk for the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.
Representative Experience
- Obtained dismissal of Securities and Exchange Commission’s claims in high-profile CDO/CDS case alleging securities law violations by collateral manager of $1 billion CDO
- Successfully defended the former CEO of a major public software company in a two-week federal jury trial brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission alleging securities fraud in accounting for software transactions
- Obtained eight-figure payment in resolution of major commercial litigation on behalf of a consumer product company seeking damages related to a product recall from a component supplier in a case alleging product defects
- Successfully obtained damages award in arbitration on claims for breach of supply contracts on behalf of a consumer product company
- Successfully defended The Boston Beer Company, Inc. in several nationwide class actions in state and federal courts in which plaintiffs alleged that the company and other brewers and distillers violated state laws by allegedly targeting minors in advertising
- Representing officers of public companies in internal investigations and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations regarding stock options grants
- Defense of officer of major mutual fund company regarding very high profile claims brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission alleging market timing
- Defense of officer of major mutual fund company in Securities and Exchange Commission investigation regarding allegations of improper use of directed brokerage, soft dollars, and other payments for “shelf space”
- Successfully defended officers and trustees of mutual fund companies in numerous class actions and derivative actions claiming that the mutual fund companies improperly permitted market timing in their funds
- Successfully defended officers and trustees of mutual fund companies in numerous class actions and derivative actions claiming that the mutual fund companies engaged in impermissible “shelf space” arrangements with brokerage companies or otherwise charged excess fees
- Representing investment management firm in connection with Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission investigations
- Representing major mutual fund complex in a variety of litigation matters