Lauri W.Sawyer

Partner

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Lauri Sawyer is a trial lawyer who litigates complex disputes in federal and state courts, as well as in domestic and international arbitral forums. She has extensive experience litigating cases involving structured financial products and derivatives. Lauri was derivatives counsel to Lehman Brothers Holdings and its affiliated debtors and tried the first derivatives cases in the Lehman bankruptcy. Lauri's in-depth knowledge of financial issues allows her to facilitate the effective resolution of disputes prior to trial through negotiation and mediation. Lauri is a member of Jones Day's LIBOR transition task force and blockchain working group.

Lauri's trial experience extends beyond the financial arena and includes disputes involving securities, constitutional and voting issues, project finance, and asylum. She has participated in foreign court proceedings and appeals, as well as worldwide discovery and enforcement efforts. Lauri's international arbitration experience includes arbitrations pursuant to the AAA, ICC, and UNCITRAL rules. She is experienced in the enforcement of arbitration awards and collateral proceedings designed to protect arbitration clauses. Lauri also is well-versed in disputes arising under the Lanham Act, including false advertising claims. She has successfully prosecuted and defended actions in federal court and before the National Advertising Division (NAD). Lauri regularly lectures on litigation and e-discovery issues.

Lauri is strongly committed to pro bono service, especially for clients with family law and immigration issues. Lauri was recognized as an Equality Trailblazer by The National Law Journal. She also serves on several advisory and nonprofit boards, including the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.

经验

  • Wells Fargo obtains dismissal of antitrust claims arising from trading of odd-lots of corporate bondsJones Day’s client, several Wells Fargo Bank, National Association affiliates, obtained dismissal of a putative antitrust class action alleging that more than a dozen horizontal competitors conspired to restrain the trade of odd-lots of corporate bonds in the secondary market.
  • Cuban national obtains asylum and defeats government appeal before Board of Immigration AppealsOn October 25, 2019, a trial team led by New York Partners Jay Tambe and Lauri Sawyer, and with support from Shachar Gannot, tried the firm’s first Migrant Protection Protocol (“MPP”) case from a tent facility in Laredo, Texas.
  • Former CEO of Westpac defends U.S. federal securities class action in OregonJones Day is defending Brian Hartzer in relation to a United States federal securities class action commenced in the District of Oregon against Westpac Banking Corporation, Mr. Hartzer, and another Westpac executive in connection with alleged AML/CTF failures at Westpac.
  • United Nations University obtains assistance with "Survivor's Package" for survivors of modern slavery and human traffickingJones Day conducted worldwide research for the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research to assist in the development of a "Survivor Package" for survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking.
  • Town of Islip defeats motion for preliminary injunction to change its electoral systemJones Day represents the Town of Islip, New York and the Islip Town Board in litigation challenging their at-large voting system.
  • Wells Fargo obtains summary judgment win in CDO litigationJones Day represented Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Securities LLC, and affiliate Structured Asset Investors LLC, as successor-in-interest to Wachovia Bank and Wachovia Securities, in an action filed by offshore investment vehicles of the German bank IKB alleging common law fraud in the sales of notes from three CDOs: Octans II, Sagittarius, and Longshore.
  • Oi Brasil obtains approval of recovery planJones Day represented the trustee of Oi Brasil Holdings Coöperatief, a subsidiary of the Brazilian telecom giant Oi S.a., who filed for bankruptcy protection in 2016.
  • Jones Day attorneys successfully represent U.S. Air Force servicemember wrongfully named in child support suitD.W., a Senior Airman in the U.S. Air Force, received a summons from the New York Department of Social Services ("DSS") to appear at a child support hearing in New York County (Manhattan) Family Court.
  • Banorte obtains dismissal of claims it tortiously interfered with financial services consulting agreementJones Day successfully defended Banorte, a major Mexican bank, and its affiliates and certain of their directors and officers who were sued in New York Supreme Court on the allegation that they had tortiously interfered with plaintiffs' financial services consulting agreement with co-defendant Metrofinanciera in connection with the termination of a foreign exchange swap agreement between Metrofinanciera and a Banorte affiliate.
  • Mahindra Satyam resolves global investor claimsJones Day resolved world-wide claims brought against Mahindra Satyam by former investors in connection with the alleged admission of Satyam's former Chairman that he deliberately misstated the Company's accounts for several years.
  • Global financial institution responds to FINRA arbitrationJones Day represented a global financial institution in a FINRA arbitration concerning sale of TRUPs, CDOs, and CLOs to community bank.
  • Emergency order of protectionOn March 1, 2013, Jones Day obtained a permanent order of protection for Ms. X to protect her against violence from her live-in boyfriend.
  • SiriusXM Radio obtains summary judgment in shareholders derivative lawsuit filed against their directorsJones Day obtained summary judgment in a shareholders derivative lawsuit filed against the directors of Sirius XM Radio Inc.
  • Deckers stops sale of counterfeit UGG® boots in New YorkOn behalf of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, Jones Day successfully obtained temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against New York retailer Dr. Jay's involving the sale of counterfeit UGG® boots.
  • NACCO resolves claims against Harbinger hedge fundsIn 2006, Applica Incorporated terminated its merger agreement with Jones Day client NACCO Industries, Inc. in favor of a competing offer from the Harbinger hedge funds.
  • Father ordered to return sons to mother in UKFollowing a four-day bench trial in the Eastern District of New York earlier in 2010, Jones Day New York attorneys Lauri Sawyer, Jonathan Muenkel, Caryn Wolfe, Matt Chow and Eric Jacobi successfully reunited a mother in England with her two children who had been wrongfully detained in New York.
  • Jones Day participates in inMotion's Story by Story - Climbing to End Domestic Violence stairclimbing fundraiserTo support inMotion, a nonprofit organization that offers hope to low-income women who need free legal services in matrimonial, family and immigration law, Jones Day recruited a team of 17 climbers to participate in a unique stair climb event called "Story by Story - Climbing to End Domestic Violence."
  • Domestic violence matters require the assistance of inMotion and lawyer volunteersJones Day New York has partnered with inMotion, a pro bono organization handling domestic violence cases.
  • Satyam Computer Services defends securities fraud class actionJones Day is representing Satyam Computer Services Ltd. (n/k/a Mahindra Satyam) in a securities class action filed in the Southern District of New York.
  • Procter & Gamble pursues Lanham Act suit involving false advertising claims about the efficacy of ultrasonic toothbrushJones Day represented The Procter & Gamble Company in a Lanham Act suit to enjoin a competitor from making false advertising claims about the efficacy of the Ultreo, an ultrasonic toothbrush.
  • The following represents experience prior to joining Jones Day.

    Bechtel Corporation
    Capital India Power Mauritius I v. The State of Maharashtra, No. 12913/MS (ICC International Court of Arbitration 2004)
    Recovered over $100 million for a subsidiary of Bechtel Corporation for claims arising out of the failed Dabhol Power Project in India. Confirmed the award and commenced enforcement proceedings.

    Capital India Power Mauritius I v. Maharashtra Power Dev. Corp. Ltd., 03 Civ. 7394 (LAK) (S.D.N.Y.)
    Obtained an order compelling respondents to participate in the arbitration, as well as a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction and permanent injunction directing respondents not to interfere with the arbitration on behalf of a Bechtel subsidiary. Obtained an order of contempt for respondents’ failure to participate in the arbitration.

    Capital India Power Mauritius I v. The Government of the Republic of India (UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules and An Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Mauritius and the Government of the Republic of India for the promotion and protection of investments signed on 2 September 1998). Represented subsidiaries of General Electric and Bechtel in connection with violations of international law related to the expropriation of the Dabhol Power Project. Was involved with the action from the commencement of the arbitration through the favorable settlement that was finalized days before the hearing.

    General Electric Capital Corporation
    Bechtel Enters. Int’l (Bermuda) v. Overseas Private Invest. Corp., 50 T 195 00509 02 (American Arbitration Association 2003)
    Recovered under a political risk insurance policy issued by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation for the alleged expropriation of investments in the Dabhol Power Project in India following a five-day arbitration hearing.

    Capital India Power Mauritius I v. The Government of the Republic of India (UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules and An Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Mauritius and the Government of the Republic of India for the promotion and protection of investments signed on 2 September 1998). Represented subsidiaries of General Electric and Bechtel in connection with violations of international law related to the expropriation of the Dabhol Power Project. Was involved with the action from the commencement of the arbitration through the favorable settlement that was finalized days before the hearing.

    JP Morgan Chase Bank
    The Chase Manhattan Bank v. Motorola, 00 Civ. 4838 (ACH) (S.D.N.Y.)
    Obtained a $365 million judgment following a 10-day bench trial arising from claims related to the failure of Iridium, a joint venture to provide world-wide satellite phone service.

    The Chase Manhattan Bank v. Iridium Africa Corp., 00-564-JJF (D. Del.); The Chase Manhattan Bank v. Iridium Italia S.p.A., No. 02-1368 (D. Del.); The Chase Manhattan Bank v. BCE Mobile Comms. Inc., No. 02-1369 (D. Del.)
    Obtained an entry of summary judgment in a $250 million breach of contract claim against a number of foreign and domestic defendants.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank v. Pacific Electric Wire & Cable Co., 4:04MC34 (E.D. Tex)
    Argued for and obtained an order directing an affiliate of a Taiwanese corporation to turn over all assets found in the jurisdiction in order to satisfy a $10 million default judgment.

    Pollux Holding Ltd. v. The Chase Manhattan Bank, 99CV11855 (S.D.N.Y.); Springwell Navigation Corp. v. The Chase Manhattan Bank, 99CV11855 (S.D.N.Y.); Pollux Holding, Ltd. v. The Chase Manhattan Bank, No. 01-7488 (2d Cir.); Springwell Navigation Corp. v. The Chase Manhattan Bank, No. 01-7492 (2d Cir.)
    Obtained a dismissal of claims seeking over $1.2 billion in damages and successfully defended the dismissal of the action on appeal.

    The Toronto Dominion Bank and TD Ameritrade
    Gebbia v. The Toronto Dominion Bank, Index No. 00/604862 (NY County); Reich v. The Toronto Dominion Bank, 2001-00900 (NYSE Arbitration)
    Represented the Toronto Dominion Bank and TD Waterhouse (now TD Ameritrade) in connection with employment disputes arising from the acquisition of a discount brokerage. The cases settled following mediations.

    Wyeth
    Wyeth v. McNeil-PPC, Inc., 03 Civ. 10149 (DAB) (S.D.N.Y.)
    Sought an injunction on behalf of Wyeth for Tylenol’s advertising claim that it "starts to work" in 10 minutes.

    Advised Wyeth on multiple challenges before National Advertising Council of Better Business Bureaus.
    Challenged a demonstration for Tylenol Rapid Release Gels and the claim that RRGs "release powerful medicine even faster than before" was inaccurate. NAD found that McNeil had not substantiated the claim as to all pain relievers and needed to specify which pain relievers it claimed to be faster than.

    Challenged Aleve's claim that it gives "prescription strength relief without a prescription." NAD found that Bayer failed to substantiate this claim.

    Challenged McNeil's claim that "Tylenol Arthritis Pain is as effective as ibuprofen at fighting arthritis pain." NAD found that McNeil had substantiated this claim.

    Challenged McNeil's claim that Tylenol Arthritis Pain has fewer drug interactions than Advil. NAD found that McNeil failed to substantiate this claim.

    Challenged McNeil's claim regarding Doctor's Recommendations for Tylenol. NAD found that McNeil failed to substantiate this claim.

    Pro Bono Representations
    Obtained permission for a battered woman dying of cancer to take her son to her native New Zealand, despite the fact that she had previously been charged with kidnapping the child. Received inMotion's Commitment to Justice Award in 2001 for outstanding service for the work done on this case.

    Obtained a writ of habeas corpus to recover a child after the client’s ex-husband kidnapped the child in an effort to have the client withdraw her requests for child support. Was able to permit the client to recover her son within 12 hours of notification.

    Obtained a sizeable spousal support award for a woman who fled from the marital home after being held hostage at gunpoint.

    Obtained a green card for a Pakistani woman who married an abusive man as part of an arranged marriage, pursuant to the Violence Against Women Act.

    Obtained numerous orders of protection for battered women, many of whom do not speak English, as well as favorable child support and visitation awards.

    Represented a small business owner in lower Manhattan who had his business destroyed on 9/11, in connection with his tax-related issues.

    Obtained a dismissal of a wrongful death action brought against the City of New York.

    Successfully resisted an attempt to have an elderly disabled woman evicted for allegedly subletting her apartment.

    Represented non-party Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) in a case brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act for alleged genocide that took place in the Sudan. Successfully resisted a Request for International Judicial Assistance filed with the Netherlands court, requesting the deposition of a former employee and documents.

    • September 2019
      PLI's Electronic Discovery Nuts & Bolts 2019
    • September 2018
      PLI's Electronic Discovery Nuts & Bolts 2018
    • September 2017
      PLI's Electronic Discovery Nuts & Bolts 2017
    • September 2016
      PLI's Nuts & Bolts of Electronic Discovery 2016
    • April 17-21, 2012
      Jones Day Sponsors the ABA Section of International Law Spring Meeting in New York
    • March 7, 2011
      PLI’s International Arbitration 2011
    • February 2, 2007
      International Investment and Transnational Litigation: Challenges of Expanding Investor-State Disputes, panelist, University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Economic Law Symposium