Overview

Bob Allen is a partner in Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s Litigation and Government, Regulatory & Internal Investigations practice groups. Bob’s practice focuses on representing corporations and individuals in criminal and regulatory investigations, as well as complex litigation.

Prior to rejoining Kirkland, Bob served in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. As a member of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Taskforce, Bob investigated and prosecuted matters involving insider trading, market manipulation, bribery, and accounting fraud, ultimately charging some of the nation’s highest-profile cases. Bob also worked with the SEC, CFTC, PCAOB, and other domestic and foreign regulators in conducting investigations. During his tenure in the Southern District of New York, Bob tried seven cases to a verdict, receiving convictions in every instance, and successfully argued multiple appeals before the Second Circuit.

Bob has been recognized in Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under Hot List,” The Legal 500 U.S., and by Law360 as a “Rising Star” for his work defending financial institutions.

Bob clerked for the Honorable Antonin Scalia of the United States Supreme Court and the Honorable Michael Boudin of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was President of the Harvard Law Review and a recipient of the Sears Prize.

More

Thought Leadership

Publications

“DOJ, SEC Will Keep Ramping Up Enforcement Around Private Funds,” Bloomberg Law, January 30, 2023

“SEC Enforcement Record Stems From More Penalties, Not More Cases,” Bloomberg Law, January 13, 2023

Recognition

Recognized as a “Rising Star” (Banking) by Law360, 2021

Recognized in Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under Hot List,” 2020–2022

Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense, The Legal 500 United States, 2020–2022

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • New York
  • District of Columbia

Education

  • Harvard Law SchoolJ.D.magna cum laude

    President, Harvard Law Review

    Sears Prize (highest first-year grades)

    Research Assistant, Committee on Capital Markets Regulation

  • Emory UniversityB.A., Economics & Political Sciencewith Highest Honors
    Jack and Lewis Greenhut Award (best economics thesis)