Robert H. Bell

Special Counsel

  • Robert H. Bell
  • Phone: +1 212 404 8707

    Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris LLP
    22 Vanderbilt
    335 Madison Avenue, 23rd Floor
    New York, NY 10017-4669
    USA

Robert H. Bell draws on more than twenty years of experience across complex civil litigation, ethics and compliance matters, and internal investigations to deliver practical, results-driven counsel to global clients operating in some of the most heavily regulated industries. A member of Duane Morris' Trial Practice Group, Mr. Bell is comfortable litigating high-stakes commercial and construction disputes in federal and state court, building compliance programs, and guiding clients through sensitive internal investigations and government enforcement actions. 

Mr. Bell maintains an active civil litigation practice in both state and federal courts for clients across many industries, with a particular focus on the construction industry. He has represented owners, general contractors, and construction managers in disputes involving RICO and antitrust claims, delay damages, and subcontractor disputes. He has also represented financial institutions in fraud-related litigation arising from complex financial transactions and other commercial disputes.

Mr. Bell proactively advises clients on building and strengthening their compliance infrastructure. He conducts comprehensive risk assessments, drafts and updates codes of conduct and anti-corruption policies, and develops compliance frameworks tailored to government contracting requirements and other regulated environments. He has also led training seminars in New York and abroad on FCPA compliance and related regulatory topics.

Mr. Bell regularly represents clients in connection with government enforcement actions brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the New York Attorney General's Office, and other federal, state, and local agencies. His work in this area includes managing responses to government subpoenas and investigative activities, conducting internal investigations into allegations of fraud and corrupt practices, and providing real-time crisis counsel during active enforcement proceedings.

Mr. Bell is committed to pro bono service, with a particular focus on cases involving LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant rights, and the rights of incarcerated individuals. He is a member of the New York Office Pro Bono Committee and DM Pride.

Mr. Bell received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Denison University and his J.D., cum laude, from Duke University School of Law.

Areas of Practice

  • Complex Commercial Litigation

  • Construction and Infrastructure

  • Internal Investigations

  • White-Collar Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement

  • Corporate Compliance and Integrity Counsel

Admissions

  • New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • Supreme Court of the United States

Education

  • Duke University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2002
  • Denison University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1999

Experience

  • Duane Morris LLP
    - Special Counsel, 2024-present
  • Peckar & Abramson PC
    - Special Counsel, 2017-2024
  • Linklaters LLP
    - Senior Litigation Associate, 2005-2015
  • Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    - Litigation Associate, 2002-2005

Professional Activities

  • New York City Bar Association
    - Member, Construction Law Committee
    - Former Member, Committee on LGBT Rights

Selected Publications

Representative Matters

  • Representing global construction company in RICO and antitrust litigation in federal court.

  • Representing contractors seeking delay damages in connection with public construction contracts with New York City.

  • Conducting risk assessments and investigations for global companies regarding ethics and compliance policies and procedures, and creating/updating applicable policies and procedures regarding anti-corruption risks, government contracting requirements, and other subject matters.

  • Representing developer and construction manager in federal court litigation with subcontractor following site accident, including follow-on state court litigation.

  • Representing construction managers in internal investigations related to compliance violations as well as in responding to government subpoenas.

  • Represented global companies in internal investigations related to alleged bribery and corrupt practices.

  • Represented government contractor in FCPA and money laundering investigations related to work in Iraq and Afghanistan.

  • Represented government contractors in False Claims Act investigations.

  • Represented general contractor in successful Second Circuit appeal affirming grant of summary judgment dismissing claims by subcontractor as barred by no-damages-for-delay clause.

  • Represented financial institutions in litigations regarding alleged fraud issues in the context of complex financial transactions.

  • Represented foreign manufacturer in antitrust investigations and successfully settled related Sherman Act class action and False Claims Act litigations.

  • Authored US Supreme Court amicus brief in 2022 on effect of right-to-control theories of wire fraud prosecutions on government contracting processes.

  • Authored Sixth Circuit amicus brief in 2026 on impermissible restrictions to incarcerated individuals’ right to access to the courts and to legal mail.
  • Successfully represented gay and lesbian clients fleeing persecution in their home countries in securing US asylum.
  • Successfully represented immigrant wrongfully detained by ICE in habeas corpus petition in federal court, securing his immediate release.