Laura's practice involves federal and state civil (commercial) litigation and arbitrations throughout the United States, with an emphasis on complex regulatory and fiduciary issues. She has extensive experience in disputes involving shareholder and investor rights and relationships; application of the business judgment rule; and fiduciary disclosures, compliance and enforcement issues (often in a securities law setting). A significant component of her practice consists of counseling clients on how to minimize or avoid litigation exposure both contractually and through proactive conduct. As part of that process, Laura frequently conducts internal investigations for non-management directors. Where litigation is necessary or unavoidable, she works with clients to identify and attain the desired objectives in light of any applicable budgetary constraints.
Laura has regularly arbitrated in many different forums, including the American Arbitration Association, the National Association of Securities Dealers, the New York Stock Exchange and specially tailored entities. Internationally, she has arbitrated under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce and related organizations.
Representative Client Work
- Representation of both purchasers and sellers in post-closing disputes including alleged breach of representations and warranties, balance sheet adjustments and indemnification rights
- Representation of independent trustees and third-party mutual fund service providers in various SEC and state securities enforcement actions and related private securities litigation
- Defense of majority shareholders and partners, closely held corporations, and partnership entities against derivative and breach of fiduciary duty, including freeze out claims
- Handling of internal investigations into full range of fiduciary issues
- Pursuit of partnership books and records actions
Bar & Court Admissions
- Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- Supreme Court of the United States
Education
- J.D., cum laude, Harvard Law School
- Special Career Fellow, University of California at Berkeley
- B.A., magna cum laude, Bryn Mawr College
Community Engagement
- Boston Bar Association
- Board Member, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under Law (Boston chapter), 1999-present
- Federal Communications Bar Association, 1995-2004
- Boston Bar Association's Law Firm Resources Project, 1980-1986
- Chair, Litigation Section, Boston Bar Association, 1995-1996
- Greater Boston Legal Services Board of Directors, 1987
- President, pre and after school day care facility, 1983-1986
Awards & Honors
- Lawyer Monthly's Women in Law Award (2018)
- Best Lawyers in America® (2013-2021)
- Chambers USA, Ranked in Litigation: Securities (Massachusetts) (2013); Litigation (Massachusetts) (2014-2018)
- The Legal 500 U.S. (2017-2020)
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2004-2020)
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Press ReleaseJune 10, 2020
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Law360November 21, 2019
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New England Super Lawyers MagazineOctober 17, 2019
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Sullivan Press ReleaseMay 30, 2019
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New England Super Lawyers MagazineOctober 18, 2018
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Law360August 7, 2018
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Lawyer MonthlyJune 19, 2018
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Press ReleaseMay 30, 2018
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Press ReleaseNovember 9, 2017
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New England Super Lawyers MagazineOctober 16, 2017
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Press ReleaseMay 31, 2017
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Press ReleaseMay 26, 2017
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Press ReleaseMay 27, 2016
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Alternatives - The Newsletter of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & ResolutionFebruary 2015
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Banker & TradesmanJune 30, 2014
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Alternatives - The Newsletter of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & ResolutionMay 2013
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Law Journal PressJuly 2011
- Chapter 10, "SEC Examinations, Investigations and Enforcement Actions," Mutual Funds: Law and Practice, Law Journal Press (author) (July 2011)
Practices
- Anti-corruption and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
- Capital Markets
- Complex Commercial & Financial Disputes
- Corporate
- Corporate Governance & Board Advisory
- Environmental Zoning & Land Use
- Government Investigations & White Collar Defense
- International Dispute Resolution
- Litigation
- Private Equity
- Professional Liability Defense
- Real Estate
- Securities Litigation