Overview
Lauren Casazza is a litigation partner in Kirkland’s New York office. Lauren leads internal investigations for corporations on highly sensitive matters and advises clients on policies, procedures and compliance issues, including with respect to unlawful harassment and other workplace misconduct matters. Lauren also litigates a broad range of commercial matters at both the trial and appellate levels, and in arbitration.
In addition, Lauren has established Kirkland’s Crisis Response practice group, counseling clients on internal and external communications in high-profile litigation, investigations and crisis situations. In this role, Lauren has advised numerous public and private corporations operating in a myriad of industries, including serving as the lead outside counsel for BP regarding communications about the Deepwater Horizon incident.
Lauren has represented clients including the National Football League, BP, GM, Volkswagen, Wynn Resorts, Caterpillar, and Henkel Corporation.
At Kirkland, Lauren serves as Co-Chair of the Firmwide Recruiting Committee and Co-Chair of the New York office Recruiting Committee. She also helps lead Kirkland’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and serves on various committees throughout the Firm.
Experience
Representative Matters
Crisis Management and Investigations Work
- In re: Oil Spill by the Oil Rig “Deepwater Horizon” in Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010 (MDL 2179): Served as lead outside counsel managing crisis communications regarding litigation and investigations associated with the Deepwater Horizon accident and oil spill.
- Caterpillar Inc.: Advising Caterpillar with respect to government investigation into tax and export issues.
- Confidential: Conducted an internal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct by the CEO of a global manufacturing company.
- Confidential: Developed an industry-leading workplace compliance program for a US-listed Fortune 500 company.
- Confidential: Conducted internal investigation for a major global chemical company into alleged metals trading violations.
- Confidential: Advised a leading global resources company on crisis management and investigations arising from a dam breach incident in Brazil.
- Confidential: Represented a major pharmaceuticals company with respect to legal communications regarding a criminal investigation into allegedly false disclosures to governmental officials about the manufacturing of chemical gas antidotes.
Litigation Matters
- Safeguard Aggregator LLC v. Jay Anthony and Peter Jason Ball, (Del. Ch.): Represents purchaser, a wholly owned subsidiary of certain private equity funds managed by ABRY Partners II, LLC in litigation involving breach of contract in connection with an asset purchase agreement for Smart Start, Inc. a manufacturer of ignition interlock devices.
- Scott, et al. v. General Motors Co., et al. (S.D.N.Y.): Represented General Motors in putative class action alleging violations of securities laws in connection with the company’s November 2010 initial public offering. Obtained pre-discovery dismissal with prejudice, affirmed on appeal by the Second Circuit.
- In re Energy Future Holdings Corp. (Bankr. D. Del.): Represented debtor, largest electricity generator, distributor and provider in Texas in Chapter 11 proceedings.
- In re The Majestic Star Casino, LLC et al. (Bankr. D. Del.) and (3d Cir.): Represented Majestic Star Casino in Chapter 11 proceedings, including adversary proceeding and Third Circuit appeal on issue of first impression related to post-petition tax status changes.
- Gatt Comms. Inc. v. PMC Assocs, Inc. (S.D.N.Y.) and (2d Cir.): Represented former employee of a Motorola, Inc. subsidiary in case asserting antitrust, RICO and state law claims in connection with an alleged bid-rigging scheme for New York governmental contracts. Obtained pre-discovery dismissal with prejudice, affirmed on appeal by the Second Circuit.
Clerk & Government Experience
Law ClerkHonorable Peter K. LeisureUnited States District Court for the Southern District of New York
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Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- 2002New York
- 2002Illinois
Courts
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit2014
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit2003
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois2003
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York2002
Education
- Georgetown University Law CenterJ.D.cum laude2001
Dean's List
Primary Editor, Georgetown University Law Journal
- Duke UniversityB.A., Public Policysumma cum laude1998
Phi Beta Kappa
Graduation with Highest Distinction in Public Policy Studies