Laura Lively
Counsel

Laura handles high-stakes litigation across a broad range of civil and criminal matters in trial court and on appeal. As a trial lawyer, she has represented clients on both sides of complex commercial disputes in arbitral tribunals and federal and state courts throughout the country. Drawing on her experience as a Ninth Circuit judicial clerk, she has briefed cases and authored amicus briefs in federal and state appellate courts nationwide, including the U.S. Supreme Court, and presented winning oral argument in the Ninth Circuit.

Laura has a track record of prevailing on behalf of private and public entities in consumer class actions and data privacy, intellectual property, and nuanced business disputes, particularly those that test an entity’s reputation and bottom line. Notably, she defended the California Department of Justice in a series of cases filed across California following an inadvertent data exposure. After years of hard-fought litigation, she resolved every action in the client’s favor, including a large class action that was settled without any individual monetary component.

Outside of the courtroom, Laura is called on to conduct internal and government-facing investigations for clients facing scrutiny from federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Earlier in her career, she was a managing associate on a team led by former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates, which conducted a yearlong independent investigation into abuse and misconduct in U.S. women’s professional soccer. Laura also leverages her litigation experience to defend clients against further exposure in the event of parallel civil or regulatory proceedings.

Laura treats every case her clients face as though it were her own. Her intense investment in her clients’ success and fiery advocacy are balanced by her collaborative working style and down-to-earth demeanor. Clients know her as a nimble litigator who will put their legal and business interests first—and fight tirelessly for them. At every stage of a case, Laura works closely with clients to map out a path to success, translating complicated legal frameworks into clear, actionable strategies. Whether launching an aggressive defense, engaging in measured negotiations, or adapting seamlessly to an unexpected development, Laura identifies and deploys the tools that will best support her client’s long-term goals.

Prior to joining Cohen Williams, Laura worked as a litigator at Morrison & Foerster LLP and King & Spalding LLP.

Public service has long been a foundation of Laura’s practice. She graduated from law school with Pro Bono Honors in recognition of her advocacy work for veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and children with disabilities. Today, Laura maintains a robust pro bono practice focused on immigration habeas cases and children’s rights.