Donovan is an American attorney whose legal career has been centered in Boston and Massachusetts. He earned a cum laude undergraduate degree from Harvard College in 1975 and completed Boston College Law School in 1981, graduating summa cum laude. His law-school record included the Alumni Prize for class rank, membership in the Order of the Coif and Alpha Sigma Nu, and service as editor-in-chief of the Boston College Law Review.
Donovan studied at Harvard College, receiving an A.B. cum laude in 1975. He then attended Boston College Law School, where he earned his J.D. summa cum laude in 1981. At Boston College Law School he was associated with the Order of the Coif and Alpha Sigma Nu, received the Alumni Prize for class rank, and served as editor-in-chief of the Boston College Law Review.
Donovan was admitted to practice law in Massachusetts in 1981 and developed his career in business and securities litigation. He became a partner in the Litigation Department of Ropes & Gray LLP in 1990 and later served as senior counsel. His practice has included corporate and securities disputes, class actions, antitrust matters, mergers and acquisitions litigation, and other complex commercial controversies. He has represented mutual-fund complexes, private-equity funds, investment banks, public companies, and corporate officers and directors. His courtroom work has included injunction proceedings, dismissal and summary-judgment arguments, bench and jury trials, securities class actions, and appeals in Massachusetts, New York, Delaware, and several federal circuits.
Led the legal team representing Harris Associates in Jones v. Harris Associates, securing a unanimous 9-0 victory in the United States Supreme Court concerning the standard for challenges to mutual-fund investment-advisory fees.
Secured a jury verdict for Goldman Sachs after a five-week trial in litigation brought by the founders of Dragon Systems concerning Goldman Sachs's role as financial adviser in the sale of the company.
Built a nationally recognized practice in corporate and securities litigation and argued dozens of appeals before state and federal appellate courts across the United States.
(Ropes & Gray legal alert authored by John D. Donovan and ...)
2010Donovan has been associated with the American Bar Association, the Boston Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Bar Association. He has also participated in Boston Bar Foundation leadership and legal-community service through Ropes & Gray.
Quotes from others about the person
Chambers USA has described Donovan as an exceptional and brilliant litigator and has recognized him among the leading securities lawyers in the United States.
Donovan's professional career has been closely connected with Ropes & Gray LLP and with Boston's legal and civic institutions. He has also supported Boston College Law School, including participation in alumni efforts to strengthen the school's facilities and law library.
