Arbitrator and mediator for complex business and employment disputes
Rob Harris works with attorneys and their clients to arbitrate and mediate complex and challenging business and employment disputes, often (but certainly not always) in the financial services arena.
He has particular experience with disputes between owners, principals, and senior executives of hedge funds, private equity firms, and other asset management companies.
20+
Years as a commercial litigator
15+
Years as senior in-house counsel
120+
Matters, 2021–2025
Areas of focus
Within the investment management and financial services industries, Rob regularly arbitrates and mediates disputes involving:
Ownership transitions and business divorces involving private equity and hedge funds, asset managers and principals
Employment and compensation disputes for senior executives and profit-sharing arrangements
Non-compete and non-solicitation enforcement
Breaches of fiduciary duties and usurpation of opportunities
Complex carried interest and waterfall calculations
Management succession and control issues
Mergers, acquisitions, and joint venture disputes
Fundraising, placement agents and capital markets
From the newsletter
Commentary on arbitration and mediation developments, updated regularly.
Please know that you did a spectacular job mediating the dispute. My client was very appreciative of your efforts, and I am convinced it was your personal involvement in this matter that allowed the parties to resolve their dispute by agreement.
Counsel to a mediation party
Profile
Rob spent over two decades as a commercial litigator, followed by senior in-house counsel roles for financial services companies, including a multinational hedge fund administrator servicing some of the industry's largest and most complex investment funds and asset managers, where he served as General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer and was part of the senior management team that took the company from startup to successful exit.
After living both sides of the corporate dynamic — as a senior executive with contractual rights, equity interests, and employment obligations, and as the lawyer responsible for managing those very issues for others — Rob brings an understanding of the commercial realities, relationship dynamics, and reputational concerns that drive these disputes.
Having served as a neutral for many years, Rob's ADR work encompasses areas well beyond financial services. A list of matters where he has been asked in recent years to serve as an arbitrator or mediator is available here.
Organizational involvement and credentials
American Arbitration Association
Arbitrator and mediator with the AAA for more than two decades, serving on its general Commercial and Employment panels, plus two specialty panels: Large Complex Cases, and Mergers and Acquisitions and Joint Ventures.
Member, AAA-ICDR Financial Services Advisory Committee, concerned with shaping best practices for the resolution of financial industry disputes.
National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
Diplomate Member. NADN is an invitation-only association of experienced mediators and arbitrators, recognized through peer nomination and vetting by the litigation community in each state for hands-on skill in civil and commercial dispute resolution.
ACT-ADR
Fellow, Association of Commercial and Transactional ADR Professionals. ACT-ADR is a nonprofit association of dispute resolution and prevention professionals with hands-on operational experience in business, transactional, and financial matters.
FINRA neutral
Member of FINRA's mediation and arbitration panels.
Professional recognition
Recipient, Honorable Robert C. Zampano Award for Excellence in Mediation
Best Lawyers in America (Mediation)
Former Chair, Connecticut Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
Arbitrations and mediations
A composite list of recent matters (2021–2025) where Rob has been asked to serve as an arbitrator or mediator, organized by industry and dispute type.
Training
Continuing education and conference participation in arbitration and mediation practice, 1999–present.
Feedback
Unsolicited comments from attorneys and their clients following recent arbitrations and mediations.