Bobby Earles

Bobby is a full-service litigator and trial lawyer who focuses his practice on private equity and mergers & acquisitions-related disputes. He has managed all aspects of the civil litigation process, including mediation, motion practice, managing complex discovery projects, taking and defending depositions, working alongside experts, preparing cases for trial and trying cases to verdict. 

Bobby is also an experienced white collar attorney and focuses his practice on international risk assessment, internal investigations and anti-corruption compliance. He has handled multiple internal investigations which have included allegations of bribery/corruption, financial fraud and regulatory violations. In these matters, Bobby has created substantive work plans, conducted witness interviews, led onsite inspections and helped strengthen internal policies and procedures.

Bobby maintains a strong commitment to pro bono and has won multiple contested proceedings in state and federal court on behalf of pro bono clients. He has argued, and won, cases that have helped shield victims of domestic violence, secured damages for inmates who were denied adequate healthcare and expunged criminal records for people who had paid their debt to society.

Bobby has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Illinois Super Lawyers, as one of the “Nation’s Best” by Lawyers of Color magazine and one of “Chicago’s 40 Game Changers” by Ariel Investments and WVON Radio. He also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Western District of Wisconsin’s Pro Bono Program.;

Representative Matters*

• Lawrence Northern v. Frisk (W.D. Wis.): Served as lead counsel in section 1983 lawsuit on behalf of Wisconsin inmate against state-employed nurse; sat first chair and delivered closing argument; tried case to verdict and won $73,000 in compensatory damages. The trial win was highlighted in The American Lawyer
• Pacific Gas and Electric: Key member of team serving as court-appointed monitor of large, West Coast utility in the aftermath of the 2010 San Bruno gas pipeline explosion
• In re Toys “R” Us, Inc.: Serving as debtor’s litigation counsel in complex reorganization of the Company’s finances and business operations
• James Doe v. Syngenta: Defending international agricultural company Syngenta against product compliance claims
• Coast Products v. BP, et al. (N.D. Fla.): Defended BP against a lawsuit alleging tortious interference and civil conspiracy related to the lease of a commercial building during the Deepwater Horizon response. Plaintiff alleged $125 million in damages. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the action during the discovery period
• Newton v. BP, et al. (Alabama State Court): Defended BP against a lawsuit alleging trespass to private property during the Deepwater Horizon response. The parties entered into a confidential settlement during the discover period
• Ad Hoc Committee of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International: Member of the team responsible for the internal investigation of Valeant Pharmaceuticals on behalf of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Valeant Board of Directors in response to public allegations of impropriety regarding Valeant’s relationship with Philidor and various accounting issues

*Representation handled prior to joining Cooley

Clerkships

• Summer Clerk to the Hon. Sophia H. Hall, Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division