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Richard Gallagher

Chief Practice Officer of Litigation and Intellectual Property

San Francisco

Rick has over two decades of experience litigating disputes in state and federal courts in California and around the United States. He also has extensive experience in the operation and management of law firms.

Rick has first-chair jury trial, bench trial and arbitration experience and has prevailed as lead partner in lawsuits in state and federal courts. He also leads internal investigations, SEC and DOJ matters, M&A and corporate disputes arising under Delaware corporate law, and other matters creating corporate governance risk. Prior to becoming our Chief Practice Officer for Litigation and IP, Rick was an Orrick partner and was also the co-Managing Partner of the California offices of another top AmLaw firm.

Rick’s clients include public companies, private equity funds, portfolio companies, mutual funds, investment advisers, hedge funds, VC funds, private investment funds, board members, officers and other individuals across several industries. He has particular expertise in the technology, life sciences, private equity, and investment management areas.

Rick has been named for multiple years in the The Best Lawyers in America and in the Legal 500 for Litigation.

  • Representative Engagements

    • Represented life sciences company in SEC investigation relating to allegations of improper accounting. SEC terminated investigation with no action.
    • Won dismissal of federal securities class action against the largest independent broker-dealer firm in the United States.
    • Represented mutual fund investment adviser in SEC investigation relating to whistleblower claims of malfeasance. SEC terminated investigation with no action.
    • Won dismissal of federal securities class action against publicly traded provider of HR, payroll and co-employment services.
    • Represented private equity funds in connection with multiple post-closing indemnification and purchase price arbitrations.
    • Represented publicly traded technology company in connection with multiple SEC insider trading investigations.
    • Representing pharmaceutical company as national coordinating counsel in one of the largest litigation matters in the history of the United States, pending in federal court and all 50 state courts.
    • Assisted multiple asset management firms with successfully concluded SEC examinations.
    • Represented private equity funds and sponsor in connection with dozens of disputes related to portfolio company matters.
    • Represented mutual fund investment adviser in SEC enforcement action and private investor litigation (successfully dismissed) challenging allegedly improper trading practices.

    Writing & Speaking Engagements

    • Co-author, “Steps For Companies Reacting To Anonymous Short-Seller Claims,” Law360 (March 6, 2020)
    • 2019 SIFMA Presenter on developments in the securities, compliance, and enforcement areas for broker-dealers, investment banks and asset manager
    • Co-author, “Keeping Current: Colman v. Theranos, Inc.: Expanding the Reach of California Securities Law Claims to Indirect Purchasers in Private Companies,” Business Law Today (May 2017)
    • Co-author, “High Court Seems Disinclined To Disturb Dirks In Salman,” Law360 (October 6, 2016)
    • Speaker, “Critical Issues in Trade Secrets & Economic Espionage,” West Coast Legal Briefing Teleconference (March 31, 2016)
    • Speaker, “Runaway Management Teams: Practical Responses to Corporate Dysfunction,” West Coast Legal Briefing Teleconference (May 28, 2015)
    • Presenter, “Hot Topics in Insider Trading and SEC Enforcement,” West Coast Legal Briefing Teleconference (March 10, 2015)
    • Moderator, “Perspectives on SEC and Criminal Enforcement in Silicon Valley: 2015 and Beyond,” Silicon Valley Directors' Exchange Panel (February 2015)
    • Speaker, “Global e-Discovery Conference,” Global Outsourcing Association of Lawyers, (November 2014)
    • Speaker, "From the Trenches: Corporate Governance Update for Directors, Officers, GCs, and Investors," West Coast Lunchtime Legal Briefing Teleconference (April 29, 2014)
    • Panelist, "Understanding SEC Guidance on Social Media Disclosures," Knowledge Congress Webinar (March 14, 2014)
    • Panelist, "Corporate Governance Practice, Delaware Law, and the Future of Innovation: A Discussion for Students with Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster, Delaware Court of Chancery," Stanford Law School - Rock Center for Corporate Governance Panel Discussion (March 11, 2014)