Robert Joffe, an antitrust, corporate governance and litigation specialist who worked for more than four decades at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, including eight as presiding partner, has died.

Joffe, 66, died on Thursday from cancer, according to Greg Johnson, chief executive of asset management company Franklin Resources Inc (BEN.N), where Joffe was a director and chaired the corporate governance committee.

Johnson spoke on a conference call. A spokeswoman for the law firm confirmed Joffe's death.

Joffe was principal litigator for Time Inc in its efforts in 1989 to resist a takeover by Paramount Communications Inc, according to a biography on Cravath's website,.

It said he later represented Time Warner Inc (TWX.N) in connection with its merger with America Online Inc, and a proxy fight by the investor Carl Icahn.