Practice Profile: Ross Firsenbaum has a broad civil litigation practice with an emphasis on securities, bankruptcy and complex commercial litigation. He has represented major investment banks, broker dealers, investment advisors, corporations and individuals in state and federal court litigation throughout the country, and has extensive experience trying FINRA arbitrations.

Leadership, Pro Bono and Civic Work: Mr. Firsenbaum devotes substantial time to pro bono work, with an emphasis on wrongful incarcerations. Representing the Innocence Project and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, he served in 2018 as amicus counsel in support of Appellant Kareem Bellamy, whose civil action seeking damages for his wrongful incarceration was dismissed. Mr. Firsenbaum's brief focused on whether a municipality could be sued based on a district attorney's office's unconstitutional Brady disclosure policy. Adopting arguments from his brief, which New York Law Journal covered, the Second Circuit reversed and reinstated Bellamy's case.

This result followed Mr. Firsenbaum's victory on the same issue on behalf of his client Dewey Bozella. After leading a two-year investigation, Mr. Firsenbaum exonerated Mr. Bozella after he served 26 years in prison for a murder. Mr. Firsenbaum then served as first-chair in a civil suit seeking damages for Mr. Bozella. He defeated the defendant's summary judgment motion, and negotiated a $7.5 million settlement for Mr. Bozella. Mr. Firsenbaum later negotiated a book deal, speaking deal, movie deal, and professional boxing contract for Mr. Bozella, and helped persuade ESPN to award Mr. Bozella the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2011 ESPY awards.

Prior Experience:

Partner, WilmerHale, 2016; associate, 2006

Law clerk, Hon. Susan Beck, Massachusetts Appeals Court, 2005-2006 

Education:

J.D., Boston College Law School, cum laude

B.A., Amherst College, magna cum laude

What advice would you give to young lawyers?

Work hard, be correct, be nice, and make sure you enjoy what you do. Remember why you wanted to be a lawyer in the first place, and make a difference for your community.