John Ertman | Official Profile on The Marque

John Ertman’s Biography

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John Etman is a founding partner of Ertman Dulis & Helisek PLLC, a commercial litigation firm that focuses on the investment management industry. John and his fellow partners have decades of front-line litigation experience handling sensitive matters facing investment managers and their investors.

John has spent the majority of his respected legal career acting as lead litigation counsel on behalf of private equity, hedge fund, and mutual fund clients. He has represented numerous asset managers in the investment management industry in an extensive range of cases, including securities litigation, class actions, mortgage trust disputes, large contract disputes, internal investigations, government enforcement actions, and whistleblower matters.

Prior to founding Ertman Dulis & Helisek in 2020, John was an investment management litigation partner for sixteen years at Ropes & Gray LLP. There, in the words of Ropes’ Managing Partner, John was known “for his extraordinary commitment to clients and his laser focus on delivering great litigation outcomes." Before he joined Ropes & Gray,... John Etman is a founding partner of Ertman Dulis & Helisek PLLC, a commercial litigation firm that focuses on the investment management industry. John and his fellow partners have decades of front-line litigation experience handling sensitive matters facing investment managers and their investors.

John has spent the majority of his respected legal career acting as lead litigation counsel on behalf of private equity, hedge fund, and mutual fund clients. He has represented numerous asset managers in the investment management industry in an extensive range of cases, including securities litigation, class actions, mortgage trust disputes, large contract disputes, internal investigations, government enforcement actions, and whistleblower matters.

Prior to founding Ertman Dulis & Helisek in 2020, John was an investment management litigation partner for sixteen years at Ropes & Gray LLP. There, in the words of Ropes’ Managing Partner, John was known “for his extraordinary commitment to clients and his laser focus on delivering great litigation outcomes." Before he joined Ropes & Gray, he was a partner at Reboul MacMurray Hewitt Maynard & Kristol, a New York-based firm known for its focus on private equity. John became one of Ropes' first litigators in New York in 2003 when Reboul MacMurray and Ropes merged.

John graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard College in 1988, and earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1991. After graduating from Harvard Law, John served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Terrence W. Boyle, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and was an antitrust litigation associate at Skadden Arps from 1992 to 1995 before moving to Reboul MacMurray. moreless

John Ertman’s Newsfeed

John Ertman, Caleb Dulis and Julian Helisek Launch Litigation Firm Focused on Investment Management

John C. Ertman, a long-time litigator for the investment management industry, has formed and launched a new, conflict-free litigation firm, Ertman Dulis & Helisek PLLC. “Our extensive experience in advising investment managers combined with our proven track record in high-stakes cases, makes us well suited to continue serving as trusted counsel to clients in support of their litigation needs," Mr. Ertman said.

John Ertman’s Background

Ertman Dulis & Helisek PLLC

Founding Partner

Feb 2020 - Present

New York, NY, USA

The partners at Ertman Dulis & Helisek PLLC have decades of experience in leading-edge litigation and enforcement issues that investment managers and their investors face.

Ropes & Gray LLP

Partner

May 2003 - Jan 2020

New York, NY, USA

With offices in major cities across the globe, Ropes & Gray serves many organizations, investors, and individuals at all stages of the business life cycle.

Reboul MacMurray Hewitt Maynard & Kristol

Partner

Nov 1995 - May 2003

New York, NY, USA

Reboul MacMurray Hewitt Maynard & Kristol, now a part of Ropes & Gray, was a New York City-based firm focused on private equity.

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom

Antitrust Litigation Associate

Oct 1992 - Oct 1995

New York, NY, USA

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates is an international law firm based in New York City.

United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Law Clerk

Jan 1991 - Dec 1992

Raleigh, NC, USA

John served as a law clerk for the Honorable Terrence W. Boyle, Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina from 1991 – 1992.

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Media

Article Mentions

John Ertman has been cited and quoted in numerous legal and widely read publications. For a complete list, click on the Ertman Dulis & Helisek PLLC logo.

Advisers Rip Wells Fargo's Bid To Turn Tables In MBS Suit

Cited

Oct 2017

John Ertman is cited as lead counsel for investment advisers serving as affiliates for financial firms.

Eminent Domain: Judge dismisses lawsuit on underwater mortgages

Quoted

Sep 2013

John Ertman commented on a ruling from a case involving the city of Richmond using its power of eminent domain to seize underwater mortgages for a principal reduction program.

Pimco, BlackRock Seek to Bar California Mortgage Seizures

Quoted

Aug 2013

John Ertman is quoted in a case involving multiple entities seeking a court order blocking Richmond, California, and Mortgage Resolution Partners LLC from seizing mortgages.

RAA Management, LLC v. Savage Sports Holdings, Inc.

Quoted

May 2012

John Ertman is cited in this article as lead counsel for company Savage Sports in a broken deal litigation before the Delaware Supreme Court.

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Legislative Work

Representative Publicly-disclosed Matters

Counsel

New York, NY, USA

John Ertman has served as Counsel on a wide range of legal matters. For a complete list, click on the Ertman Dulis & Helisek PLLC logo.

RAA Management, LLC v. Savage Sports Holdings, Inc.

Lead Counsel

John Ertman argued and won a seminal M&A ruling from the Delaware Supreme Court that barred a bidder for a private equity portfolio company from bringing fraud claims after a transaction failed to close

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John Ertman’s Education

Harvard Law School

J.D.

1988 - 1991

Harvard College

A.B., Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa

1984 - 1988