Laura K. McNally

Principal

Laura K. McNally

PHONE:
312.704.7719

E-MAIL:

EDUCATION
Northwestern University (B.A., 1991)

Tulane Law School (J.D., magna cum laude, 1994)

  • Order of the Coif

JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP
Judge F.A. Little, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana (1994-95)

PRACTICE AREAS
Commercial Litigation

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • State of Illinois
  • District of Columbia (inactive)
  • State of Louisiana (inactive)

  

Laura McNally has particular skill in distilling complicated cases into simple themes that lead to seemingly-obvious conclusions. Whether the audience is a jury, an arbitration panel, an appellate court or a mediator, Laura’s analytical and presentation style is a key factor in her clients’ success.

She has a wide range of experience handling commercial, antitrust, professional malpractice, civil rights and patent/trademark disputes throughout the country.  

Trial Advocacy:

Laura has successfully tried complex commercial cases in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration.  The subject matters of these cases have included issues of contract, fraud, insurance coverage, fiduciary obligations, and legal malpractice.  For example, Laura:

  • Successfully defended one of the world’s largest insurance brokers against claims brought by a policyholder for improper underwriting, obtaining a directed finding after a three-month trial.
  • Obtained a verdict of $36 million against the plaintiffs' class action firm of Ness, Motley, Loadholt, Richardson & Poole, proving that the law firm breached its fiduciary duties and contractual obligations in connection with the settlement of a class action lawsuit that provided millions in fees to Ness Motley but little relief for the class and nothing to its client, Interclaim.
  • Defended a client against claims of fraud and professional malpractice, leading to the plaintiff admitting, during trial, that critical underlying allegations of its complaint were entirely untrue.

Appellate Advocacy:

Laura has argued appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. 

Criminal Enforcement And Internal Investigations:

Laura has been hired by corporations and an NGO to conduct internal investigations of alleged criminal and regulatory wrongdoing, both in the United States and internationally. She has also represented witnesses in grand jury investigations and federal criminal trials.

Mediations:

At times, the most important advocacy a lawyer can perform is in the context of settlement discussions.  This work requires an additional set of skills beyond those called on in the courtroom.  Laura has strengths in quickly identifying opponents’ motivations and concerns and then presenting settlement options in the manner best framed to reach resolution in her clients’ favor.  For example, Laura:

  • Counseled a major insurer client in disputes throughout the country arising out of claims of sexual abuse of minors and successfully resolved hundreds of such claims through mediation.
  • Successfully settled claims involving conspiracy, patent infringement, fraud, copyright infringement, breach of warranty and legal malpractice for various clients.

Prior to joining the firm, Laura was in private practice in Washington, D.C. She also served as a law clerk to Judge F.A. Little, Jr., of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.