Named one of Philadelphia’s Most Influential Women for her courtroom skills by the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2023, Laura McNally defends clients in various actions including class and individual cases under federal securities law, mergers and acquisitions challenges, derivative suits, and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigations. She has a track record of success in arguing dispositive motions and first-chairing trials in both federal and state courts, including the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Laura’s experience arguing dispositive motions and at trial supported her recent recognition by Law360 as one of only seven nationally ranked Rising Stars in securities law. Coverage of that award is linked to her bio. In federal court, Laura has successfully argued multiple motions to dismiss putative class actions alleging violations of the federal securities laws. These dismissals were upheld on appeal and involved issues of first impression. In the Delaware Court of Chancery, Laura recently successfully argued a motion to dismiss a derivative suit against a multinational corporation and certain of its current and former officers and directors; this opinion was affirmed by the Delaware Supreme Court, earning Laura a Shout Out as AmLaw's Litigator of the Week. On the appellate level, Laura has argued cases before both federal and state courts of appeal and in the Delaware Supreme Court. Law360’s recent coverage of Laura’s argument before the Eleventh Circuit is linked to this bio.
Laura has trial experience in both federal court and the Delaware Court of Chancery. Most recently, she was one of the lead trial attorneys in a Delaware Chancery Court appraisal trial and conducted direct and cross-examinations of expert and key fact witnesses (including the CEO of an international publicly traded company). Previously, Laura was a key leader of the Morgan Lewis team in another appraisal case in the Delaware Court of Chancery as well as in a federal jury trial.
Laura has also represented companies, executives, and related individuals in SEC investigations into insider trading, conflicts of interest, and accounting issues.
Laura has a master’s degree in economics with a specialization in law and finance. She uses her economics background to analyze damages and causation issues and works closely with economic experts.
Laura dedicates significant time to her pro bono work, focusing on prisoner civil rights cases in conjunction with the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania’s Prisoner Civil Rights Panel. She was recognized by the court for her success in winning a prisoner civil rights jury trial, and has secured favorable summary judgment decisions in multiple cases. She also dedicates time to representing asylum seekers.
Finally, Laura is an advocate for and mentor to working parents. She was profiled by Law360 in a short film about balancing motherhood and the partnership track, and highlighted as part of Law360’s Mother’s Day tribute and in its article “5 Myths Attorneys Believed When They Started Out.”
Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Laura worked at the SEC Division of Enforcement.
Trials
Appellate Victories
Motions to Dismiss Granted by Trial Courts
Denial of Injunction
Recent Motion to Compel Arbitration
Client Service All-Star, BTI Consulting Group (2024)
Women of Influence, Philadelphia Business Journal (2023)
Board of Directors, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (2022–Present)
Rising Star, Securities, Law360 (2021)
Recommended, Dispute resolution: Securities litigation: defense, The Legal 500 US (2020)
Member, Law Firm of the Year, Securities Regulation, US News/Best Lawyers – Best Law Firms (2019)
Recipient, TASA Prize for Outstanding Performance in the Field of Evidence
Recipient, US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania’s Prisoner Civil Rights Panel Appreciation Certificate