David B Hennes

Partner, Ropes & Gray LLP

David, co-chair of both the firm’s corporate and securities litigation practice and investment banking industry group, is a partner resident in Ropes & Gray’s New York office. David has over 20 years of experience litigating a broad array of corporate disputes, with an emphasis on complex corporate litigation, securities cases, corporate-control disputes, and enforcement litigation. He regularly represents buyers, sellers, and financial advisors in all forms of litigation arising out of transactional matters, including breach of duty litigation, breach of contract and business tort cases, and post-closing disputes. He frequently handles complicated federal securities class actions and state law derivative actions, and advises Boards and Board Committees (including Special Litigation Committees) on their responses to these litigations. David has represented corporate and individual clients in all aspects of these matters at the trial and appellate levels in federal and state courts throughout the United States, as well as in non-public SEC, FINRA and state securities investigations.

David has been consistently recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as a leading individual in General Commercial Litigation. The Legal 500 has named David as a ‘Leading Lawyer’ for M&A Litigation: Defense. In its 2019 edition, Chambers described David as “an outstanding lawyer who has excellent judgment, is responsive 24/7 and gives excellent, thoughtful and practical business-oriented advice.” He is also described as “smart and savvy,” and is praised for his “practical and commercial approach” to cases. Chambers noted David’s “ability to handle a wide range of corporate and white-collar criminal litigation,” with a “great ability to argue and convince regulators of his position.” Sources commend David for his “great balance between aggressive advocacy and the ability to close on a compromise” and fellow practitioners offer praise for his “judgment and strategic thinking.” Legal 500 calls him a “first-rate litigator” and “solution-oriented.” David has also been recognized by Benchmark: Litigation as a New York Litigation Star.