Chair of the firm’s litigation practice, Joe Kelleher leads a multidisciplinary team of more than 100 lawyers and legal professionals, serving clients in a broad array of practice areas and industries. With nearly two decades of experience, Joe brings a practical, results-oriented approach to representing investment companies, investment advisers, financial institutions, public and private companies and nonprofit organizations in connection with high-stakes, contentious disputes in federal and state courts and before private arbitral tribunals. He focuses on securities and investment management litigation, class action litigation, mass tort litigation and complex commercial disputes.
Joe also serves as chair of the firm’s investment management litigation practice, where he focuses on advising and representing investment advisers, investment companies, and their independent directors and trustees in connection with private litigation and regulatory investigations and enforcement matters. Joe regularly advises mutual funds and other institutional investors regarding securities fraud opt-out litigation and overseas securities fraud litigation. He also counsels investment companies and their independent directors and trustees with respect to directors and officers (D&O) insurance matters.
As co-chair of the firm’s technology committee, Joe works with a team of tech-forward lawyers and business professionals to develop and implement the firm’s innovation strategies and technology initiatives, including the firm’s deployment of generative AI tools.
Joe is the immediate past co-chair of the firm’s hiring committee, where he led the firm’s entry-level and lateral associate recruiting efforts.
Joe also currently serves on the Member Engagement Committee of Meritas, a global alliance of independent law firms of which the firm has been an active member for decades.
Featured Representative Matters
Defending the independent trustees of a closed-end fund in litigation brought by an activist investor alleging violations of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Representing mutual funds as plaintiffs in a securities fraud opt-out action against Celgene arising from the company’s misrepresentations regarding two of its drugs, Otezla and Ozanimod.
Obtained favorable settlements for mutual funds and other institutional investors as plaintiffs in securities fraud opt-out actions against Perrigo arising from the company’s misrepresentations regarding its acquisition of Omega, its response to a takeover bid by competitor Mylan, and its misstatements regarding generic-drug pricing pressure and price-fixing.
Obtained favorable settlements for mutual funds and other investment funds as plaintiffs in a securities fraud opt-out action against Teva Pharmaceuticals arising from the company’s misrepresentations regarding generic drug price-fixing.
Obtained favorable settlements for mutual funds and other investment funds pursuing securities fraud claims against PG&E in the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Successfully defended several mutual funds and other investment vehicles in the fraudulent transfer multidistrict litigation arising from Nine West’s billion-dollar leveraged buyout.
Obtained favorable settlements for numerous mutual funds and institutional investors as plaintiffs in securities fraud opt-out actions against Petrobras arising from the Brazilian oil industry giant’s long-running bribery and kickback scheme and overstatement of assets.
Obtained a favorable settlement for the litigation trustee for several mutual funds and institutional investors asserting claims in the multidistrict litigation arising from the billion-dollar Satyam computer services accounting fraud.
Successfully defended several mutual funds in a fraudulent transfer adversary proceeding arising from Sears’ spinoff of Lands’ End.
Successfully defended numerous mutual funds and other investors in the fraudulent transfer multidistrict litigation arising from The Tribune Company’s multibillion-dollar leveraged buyout.
Successfully defended several mutual funds and other investment vehicles in the fraudulent transfer litigation arising from Lyondell Chemical Co.’s multibillion-dollar leveraged buyout.
Successfully defended a global aerospace manufacturer in a multimillion-dollar arbitration before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration.
Tried an $80 million dispute between a marine terminal operator client and its public port authority landlord before a panel of three arbitrators and obtained a unanimous award in favor of the client.
Represented the FDIC in connection with investigating and pursuing professional liability claims arising from bank failures in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Florida.
Secured summary judgment in favor of a publicly traded industrial manufacturer in a half-billion-dollar breach of contract claim involving the licensing of patent rights.
Community Impact
Joe leads the firm’s charitable collaboration with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region, which provides temporary lodging, transportation and social services to seriously ill children and their families undergoing treatment at area hospitals. The firm’s partnership with the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House was recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as part of its 2020 Faces of Philanthropy Awards. Joe has spearheaded volunteer efforts at the firm in connection with various fundraising campaigns and events.
Memberships
Member of Board of Directors and Chair of Audit Committee, Haddon Savings Bank
Member of Board of Directors and Development Committee, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region
Member of Member Engagement Committee, Meritas
Co-Chair, Stradley Ronon Technology Committee
Immediate Past Co-Chair, Stradley Ronon Hiring Committee
Recognitions
The Legal 500 US Elite (Tier 1: Philadelphia: Commercial Disputes) (2026)
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2017-21)
Featured Speaking Engagements
Presenter, “Direct Litigation and Fund Boards: Priorities and Practices,” Burford Capital Securities Litigation Symposium
Panelist, “How Are Institutional Investors Coping with the Growing Global Litigation Challenge?” ICI General Membership Meeting
Presenter, “Opt-In or Opt-Out: The Changing Landscape of Securities Class Actions and Its Impact on Mutual Funds,” Mutual Fund Directors Forum Webinar
