Robert Finkel is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and a member of the FinTech Group. Mr. Finkel has more than 30 years of experience in private practice representing leading international corporations and financial institutions in complex commercial transactions with a particular focus on technology and outsourcing. Over the course of his career, he has represented clients in more than 150 major outsourcing transactions, across a wide variety of industries and types of transactions.

Mr. Finkel has for many years been a Band 1 Chambers Global and Chambers USA ranked lawyer in the areas of Outsourcing (Global and Nationwide) and Technology (New York). He is one of only a handful of lawyers worldwide to have a Band 1 ranking in the Chambers Global and Chambers USA Nationwide and New York categories. Mr. Finkel is widely regarded by outside observers as being one of the leaders in the profession and has been described as having "a very good way of building trust" and is "an impressively active practitioner with a sense of gravitas" and one "who gives excellent strategic, business-focused advice." In addition, his "understanding of our company and the nuances of our business is magnificent," commented a client in 2013 for a major legal directory publication.

Practice

Mr. Finkel has extensive knowledge in structuring and negotiating outsourcing transactions and other complex technology and service arrangements. Mr. Finkel's practice also encompasses mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, and software and technology licensing. His clients have included many of the leading domestic and international corporations and financial institutions.

Mr. Finkel has published on a broad range of corporate, outsourcing and technology issues in such publications as the M&A Lawyer, the Computer Lawyer, Cyberspace Lawyer, the Journal of Internet Law, Intellectual Property Today, E-Commerce Adviser, Global eCommerce, Director's Monthly and the National Law Journal, among others.

Professional Activities

Mr. Finkel is a recent member of the Stanford Law School Board of Visitors. He is an adjunct professor at New York Law School, where for the past several years he has instructed an advanced seminar course on Corporate Governance. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Finkel served as an aide to the late United States Senator from New York, Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

Recognition

  • Named to The Legal 500 United States Hall of Fame list for Outsourcing in 2017, 2021, 2022 and 2024.
  • Recognized as a "Leading Lawyer" in media, technology and telecoms outsourcing by The Legal 500 United States in 2019 and 2020.
  • Consistently recognized by Chambers USA Guide for his nationwide outsourcing and New York technology and outsourcing practices.
  • Ranked for outsourcing in the 20122023 editions of Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, which describes him as "a leader in the outsourcing industry [who is] enormously respected," and has "great experience." Source were also quoted saying he does "fine work in outsourcing negotiations" and "his understanding of our company and the nuances of our business is magnificent."
  • Recognized as a "fantastic outsourcing lawyer" by The Legal 500 United States in the technology: outsourcing category. Sources state that "he is very knowledgeable and always achieves an appropriate balance between legal requirements and business drivers."
  • Named among the 2020–2025 Best Lawyers in America for IT outsourcing law and in 2022-2025 for technology law.
  • Selected by his peers as among the 30 leading practitioners in the nation in Information Technology Law, as listed in the 2019 edition of Expert Guides' Best of the Best USA.
  • Consistently ranked by Who's Who in American Law for his technology and outsourcing practice.
  • Named by LawDragon as one of the leading lawyers in the US, and recognized as an elite leading lawyer by LawDragon 3000 (previously known as 'The Finalist').
  • Recognized by Euromoney as one of the leading lawyers in both IT and media.
  • Chosen by peers and through independent research as a New York Super Lawyer from 2006 through 2018.

Insights & News

Credentials

  • Education

    • JD, Stanford University, 1987

    • MA, International Affairs, Columbia University, 1988

    • BA, University of Pennsylvania, 1981

      magna cum laude
  • Admissions

    • New York

Credentials

Notice

Unless you are an existing client, before communicating with WilmerHale by e-mail (or otherwise), please read the Disclaimer referenced by this link.(The Disclaimer is also accessible from the opening of this website). As noted therein, until you have received from us a written statement that we represent you in a particular manner (an "engagement letter") you should not send to us any confidential information about any such matter. After we have undertaken representation of you concerning a matter, you will be our client, and we may thereafter exchange confidential information freely.

Thank you for your interest in WilmerHale.