People
Bob Thornton focuses on shareholder claims, director and officer liability and insurance, securities, regulatory investigations, audit committee and other internal investigations, as well as consumer fraud class actions, professional liability and legal ethics. A partner in our Securities and Shareholder Litigation and Securities Enforcement and Regulation practices, Bob represents shareholders, companies, Boards and others in a variety of disputes. He also serves as our General Counsel.
Bob represents acquiring companies, acquired companies, controlling shareholders, minority shareholders, directors and officers, and special committees of directors in connection with shareholder class and derivative claims involving mergers and acquisitions, going-private transactions, and other significant corporate matters.
In addition, Bob has defended shareholder class actions and related derivative suits alleging violations of federal and state securities laws, along with related state law fiduciary claims, in state and federal courts around the country, including the Delaware Court of Chancery. In particular, he has defended a large client in a multitude of federal and state customer class actions alleging misrepresentation in connection with retail sales of consumer products.
Bob has been recognized as a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation for 2015 and 2016 and as a Georgia "Super Lawyer" by Georgia Super Lawyers magazine from 2006-2015, including a Top 100 ranking in 2008. In addition, he has been listed by Chambers USA from 2009-2014, recommended by Legal 500 U.S. for 2011 and 2012, and ranked by The Best Lawyers in America for Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Securities/Capital Markets Law for 2008-2009 and 2011-2013.
J.D., Harvard University, cum laude
A.B., Princeton University, cum laude
Georgia
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
American Bar Association
Atlanta Bar Association
State Bar of Georgia
October 9, 2024
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes King & Spalding as a Leading Litigation Firm
October 10, 2023
Benchmark Litigation Again Recognizes King & Spalding as a Leading Litigation Firm
June 1, 2023
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 186 K&S Lawyers and 84 K&S Practice Groups as Leaders in Their Fields
October 9, 2024
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes King & Spalding as a Leading Litigation Firm
October 10, 2023
Benchmark Litigation Again Recognizes King & Spalding as a Leading Litigation Firm
June 1, 2023
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 186 K&S Lawyers and 84 K&S Practice Groups as Leaders in Their Fields
October 9, 2024
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes King & Spalding as a Leading Litigation Firm
October 10, 2023
Benchmark Litigation Again Recognizes King & Spalding as a Leading Litigation Firm
June 1, 2023
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 186 K&S Lawyers and 84 K&S Practice Groups as Leaders in Their Fields
J.D., Harvard University, cum laude
A.B., Princeton University, cum laude
Georgia
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
American Bar Association
Atlanta Bar Association
State Bar of Georgia