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 regularly argues dispositive motions and first-chairs trials in both federal and state courts, including the Delaware Court of Chancery.
In federal court, Laura has 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 argued a motion to dismiss a derivative suit against a multinational corporation and certain of its current and former officers and directors, which opinion was affirmed by the Delaware Supreme Court. On the appellate level, Laura has argued cases before both federal and state courts of appeal and in the Delaware Supreme Court.
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 has secured favorable summary judgment decisions in multiple cases. She also dedicates time to representing asylum seekers. Laura is also an advocate for and mentor to working parents.
Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Laura worked at the SEC Division of Enforcement.
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Trials
Appellate Victories
Motions to Dismiss Granted by Trial Courts
Denial of Injunction
Recent Motion to Compel Arbitration
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Securities, Philadelphia (2025)
Listed, BTI Consulting Group, Client Service All-Star (2024)
Listed, Philadelphia Business Journal, Women of Influence (2023)
Board of Directors, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (2022–Present)
Listed, Law360, Rising Star, Securities (2021)
Recommended, Dispute resolution: Securities litigation: defense, The Legal 500 US (2020)
Member, Best Lawyers – Best Law Firms, Law Firm of the Year, Securities Regulation (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
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the selection methodology for the above awards can be found here.