Marianna C. Chapleau
Overview
Marianna Chapleau is a litigation partner in the Firm’s Miami office with a focus on complex commercial disputes at the trial and appellate levels.
Marianna has successfully represented clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of litigation matters, including products liability, trade secret violations and general business disputes. Marianna provides direct legal advice to clients who need answers, and she thrives in a fast-paced trial environment, collaborating with teams and presenting clients’ stories in an impactful way to juries and judges. As an associate, Marianna successfully defended a Fortune 50 company after one of the largest recalls in U.S. history and led a bellwether case that was tried and won in the Southern District of New York.
Following a Fifth Circuit clerkship and a clerkship at the Texas Solicitor General’s Office, Marianna began her career as an appellate attorney. She continues to advise on appellate matters, particularly those raising constitutional issues, and has argued in both federal and state courts.
Experience
Representative Matters
Trial counsel in federal MDL and related state cases involving personal injury and class actions arising from product recalls. Court entered defense verdicts in three bellwether trials and granted summary judgment and Daubert motions, leading to dismissals of hundreds of personal injury claims.
Trial counsel in federal bankruptcy court, representing a private equity company, its affiliates, and one of its principals in a fraud action. Following multiweek bench trial, court entered a decision in clients’ favor on all claims.
Trial counsel representing trust entities in preliminary injunction hearing in state court. Court entered a decision in clients’ favor, leading to a favorable settlement for clients.
Trial counsel representing private equity company in state hearing before a special master and in meeting before a board of county commissioners involving the client’s proposed sale of property. Following vote by the board, the client won approval to sell property.
Counsel for pharmaceutical company in federal multidistrict litigation and state litigation brought by plaintiffs involving alleged fraudulent marketing and products liability claims related to the manufacture, distribution, and sale of certain prescription and over-the-counter medications. Courts granted summary judgment in multiple cases, leading to favorable settlement for client.
Counsel representing international multi-billion-dollar technology company in federal and state court in putative class action dispute. Courts dismissed client for lack of personal jurisdiction.
Counsel for private equity companies advising on litigation risk in potential or pending deals.
Clerk & Government Experience
Law ClerkHonorable Jacques L. Wiener, Jr.United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Law ClerkOffice of the Solicitor General of Texas
Prior Experience
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
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Memberships & Affiliations
Federal Bar Association, South Florida Chapter
National Association of Women Lawyers
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- 2024Florida
- 2013Illinois
Courts
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Education
- University of Chicago Law SchoolJ.D.2009
Managing Editor, The University of Chicago Law Review
The Exoneration Project
The Honorable Diane P. Wood International Law Summer Fellow
- Yale UniversityB.A., Political Science & Spanishwith Distinction2004International Service and Social Justice Reach Out Summer Fellow