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Leza M. Di Bella

Partner

 

Ms. Di Bella is a seasoned litigator with over 20 years of experience in complex commercial litigation. She has expertise in many types of commercial matters, including contract claims, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud claims, business torts, trade secrets, trademarks, securities litigation, partnership disputes, franchise disputes, whistleblower claims and insurance coverage disputes.

 

In addition to appearing frequently on behalf of clients in federal and state courts in New York, where she has participated in both bench and jury trials, Ms. Di Bella also appears on behalf of clients in state and federal courts throughout the country, as well as in arbitral forums and before various federal agencies, including the Trademark and Trial Appeal Board and U.S. Department of Labor.

 

Ms. Di Bella a member of the both the New York State Bar Association and New York Women’s Bar Association. She is also an active member of the Port Jefferson community where she resides with her family and is member of Board of Trustees of the Port Jefferson Royal Educational Foundation and past President of the Port Jefferson Special Education PTA.

 

Some of her more noteworthy decisions,
representations and achievements include:*
 

  • Obtaining a dismissal of a $5.2 million claim against its clients on the grounds of forum non conveniens published in the New York Law Journal 
    (Celtixconnect v. Sea Fibre, New York Supreme Court,
       Index #653340/2014 - July 19, 2016);
     

  • Obtaining a recovery of over $30 million in insurance payments on behalf of an investment advisors for claims arising out of allegations of market timing and revenue sharing;
     

  • Identifying novel procedural strategy that enabled a manufacturer to bring an insurance coverage action for a nationwide products liability class action in its preferred forum;
     

  • Representing parents in a suit challenging regulations banning the possession of cell phones in New York City public schools;
     

  • Obtaining a dismissal on forum non conveniens in an insurance coverage action between a nationwide telecommunications service provider and its insurance carrier;
     

  • Obtaining summary judgment dismissing multiple claims in New York Federal Court, in a $10 million claim against an investment bank and brokerage firm for breach of a stock option agreement and later participating in trial of sole remaining claim, which resulted in favorable jury verdict;
     

  • Representing an international media company in mult-million dollar breach of contract action in New York federal court and obtaining a favorable settlement after mediation;
     

  • Representing an investment bank in defense of an industry-wide class action litigation alleging price-fixing in the underwriting of initial public offerings;
     

  • Representing a securities broker-dealer in connection with a government investigation into the marketing and selling of mutual fund securities.
     

Court Admissions

  • US Court of Appeals, 2d Cir. 2006

  • US District Court, SDNY, 2002

  • US District Court, EDNY, 2002

  • US District Court, D.C., 2000

  • New York Supreme Court, 2002

  • Maryland Court of Appeals, 1997

  • D. C. Court of Appeals, 1999

 

Education

American University, Washington College of Law
Juris Doctor 1997
 

Reported Decisions

Cordes & Co. Financial Services, Inc. v. A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.,
C.A.2 (N.Y.), September 11, 2007, No. 06-2143-CV, 502 F.3d 91.

Price v New York City Bd. of Educ.,
Supreme Court, New York County, May 7, 2007, 2007 NY Slip Op 27214 [16 Misc 3d 543].

Boyce v. Soundview Technology Group, Inc.,
C.A.2 (N.Y.), Sept. 29, 2006 , No. 05-1685-CV, 464 F.3d 376.

In re Public Offering Fee Antitrust Litigation, 
S.D.N.Y.,April 18, 2006, 2006 WL 1026653.

Boyce v. Soundview Technology Group, Inc.
S.D.N.Y. Oct 14, 2004, No. 03 CIV. 2159 (HB), 2004 WL 2334081.

Chase Manhattan Bank v. Iridium Africa Corp.
D.Del.,2004, 307 F.Supp.2d 608.

American Express Travel Related Services Co., Inc. v. Allegis Group, Inc.
S.D.N.Y.,2001, 2001 WL 1661917.
 

Publications

John Failla and Leza Di Bella, Insurance Coverage for Options Backdating Claimspublished in the Securities Litigator and the Wall Street Lawyer (September 2006).
 

 

 

 

*Past results should not be construed as an indication of future results.

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