Former Ambassador Robert A. Sherman has wide-ranging experience in government, law, and the private sector. With deep 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. 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 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’s experience includes working on high-level immigration matters, where he has assisted executives of major companies by working directly with the U.S. Department of State and embassies worldwide.
Bob’s practice also includes representing higher education institutions. He works in the evolving field of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), advising on opportunities and compliance in collegiate athletics. In addition, Bob has guided universities through crisis situations, including for instance responding to a major cybersecurity attack by coordinating strategy, communications, and remediation efforts.
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 as well as engaging with the EU and NATO on international defense security issues, cyber security attacks, identification of radicalized foreign fighters, and narcoterrorism. In recognition of Bob’s work in the country, the Portuguese President decorated him with the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator, the country’s highest civilian award; a knighthood equivalent.
Bob also has wide ranging experience serving on boards. In December 2023, Bob joined the board of directors of Tekever, S.A., a leading pan-European defense and security company that designs, manufactures, and operates AI-driven autonomous systems, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and satellite technology including for the Ukranian military. He currently serves on the Strategic Advisory Committee where he advises on the company’s international grown strategy and operations.
From 2017 to 2024 Bob served as an independent board member of Novo Banco, a major international bank, whose majority shareholder was an American private equity firm. Novo Banco’s predecessor bank had failed during the European economic crisis and Bob was selected to be part of the team overseeing the management and prudent governance of the restructured bank in order to restore it to a position of financial health. Bob served as chair of the Compliance Committee focusing on EU bank regulatory requirements and anti-money laundering rules.
Concentrations
•State, Federal and International Regulatory and Legal Compliance
•Counseling companies on geopolitical issues including global market entry strategies
•Solving complex immigration issues for transnational companies and their executives
•Consumer Protection
•Counseling universities in a variety of matters including immigration, NIL, and crisis response
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Accolades
•Decorated with the Grand Cross of Prince Henry the Navigator, the equivalent of a Portuguese Knighthood,
•Honoree, Hall of Fame, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, 2024
•Honoree, Lifetime Achievement, ALM Law.com New England Legal Awards, 2023
•Honoree, International Leadership Award Portuguese American Leadership Council of the U.S. (PALCUS) 2024
