Ms. DiBella is an attorney with nearly 15 years of experience. She has practiced extensively in both state and federal courts and in various dispute resolution forums. She has expertise in many types of business litigation, including but not limited to insurance coverage, securities, antitrust, intellectual property, employment and complex commercial matters. 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. DiBella has also appeared on behalf of clients in the courts of Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Delaware.
Some of her more noteworthy decisions, representations and achievements include:*
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 Claims published in the Securities Litigator and the Wall Street Lawyer (September 2006).