Recognized for his trial skills, Rollin B. Chippey II represents US and Japanese companies in complex commercial litigation, trade secrets cases, employment disputes, and real estate matters. A strategic commercial litigator as well as a trial lawyer, he represents plaintiffs and defendants in US federal and state courts. In 2014, American Lawyer named him “Litigator of the Week” for managing the trial team that obtained more than $500 million for Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp. in its antitrust suit against Actelion.
Extended Profile
The Asahi case involved key issues around lost profits recovery. In that matter, the California Supreme Court unanimously upheld the trial jury’s half-billion dollar judgment for lost profits and putative damages.
Rollin represents clients in many industries in bench and jury trials. His practice includes real estate, where he focuses on commercial and land use disputes, and financial services, where he represents banks in mortgage-related matters. His employment litigation experience includes defending employers in complex wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and racial discrimination cases. His client base encompasses a number of Japanese companies. He has represented athletes, professional sports team owners, and sports agencies in litigation and contractual matters.
A former director of the Northern California Division of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, his trial work includes such matters as misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of an option agreement to purchase real property, breach of contract claims in connection with large military procurement contracts, breach of lease issues, breach of contract claims relating to manufacturers of polyurethane applications, claims of trademark infringement and antitrust violations, landlord-tenant disputes, claims relating to land use and the California Environmental Quality Act, and claims regarding a stock option plan.
His employment litigation work encompasses defending employers in complex wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and racial discrimination cases.
He also has successfully briefed and argued a number of matters before the California Courts of Appeal.
Rollin’s civic involvements include his former service on the board of NatureBridge, a national education organization introducing US school children to the wonders of the natural world. He also served on the boards of directors of Equal Rights Advocates and the Homeless Prenatal Program of San Francisco.
selected representations
Representation of a large retailer in environmental and land use matters in state and federal courts across the country.
Representation of an oil company in employment discrimination matter.
Representation of a key executive in separation from an investment banking firm.
Representation of various clients in disputes relating to the California Environmental Quality Act in California state courts.
Representation of a manufacturer of telephonic equipment in trade secret litigation.
Representation of a corporation purchasing technology in trade secret litigation.
Representation of a corporation in the purchase of a new campus in California state court in Orange County.
Representation of corporations involved in casino operations domestically and Asia.
Represented and advised an owner on ownership and management issues related to a Major League Baseball club.
Represented an NFL player in various matters related to allegations against him of improper conduct.
Provided advice and representation to a former NFL athlete in connection with employment and securities issues.
Represented a sports agency in multi-million dollar litigation and related arbitration against its former partner and a competitive sports agency founded by him, and before the NFL Players’ Association, which regulates NFL sports agents.
Represented a college football player in signing a record-setting contract with the Toronto Argonauts.
Education
Harvard Law School, 1981, J.D.
Yale University, 1976, B.A.
Admissions
California
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of California
Clerkships
Clerkship to Judge Nathaniel Jones of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (1981 - 1982)
Awards and Affiliations
Recognized, Benchmark Litigation Star (2017, 2018)
Recognized, Litigation – Real Estate, San Francisco, The Best Lawyers in America (2016–2020)
Recognized, Northern California Super Lawyer (2006–2013)
American Lawyer Litigator of the Week (March 13, 2014)
Member, American Bar Association
Member, State Bar of California
Member, National Bar Associations
Member, Charles Houston Bar Association of Oakland
Member, 1992 Leadership Counsel, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Member, Bar Association of San Francisco Judiciary Committee
Former Member, Board of Directors, Equal Rights Advocates
Former Member, Board of Directors, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Northern California Division
Former Member, Board of Directors, Homeless Prenatal Program