I help clients navigate complex litigation and sensitive investigations, delivering strategic solutions and vigorously litigating when necessary to protect their interests.
Leah S. Rizkallah is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on complex business litigation, internal and government investigations, and high-stakes employment disputes. She represents clients across a broad range of industries, with particular depth in the accounting and financial services sectors, including regularly representing Big Four and other national accounting firms.
Leah represents accounting firms, companies, and individuals in SEC, DOJ, and grand jury investigations and related litigation, and conducts internal investigations involving allegations ranging from financial fraud to management misconduct. In her civil litigation practice, she represents clients in state and federal courts and arbitration, including in matters involving breach of contract, fraud-based claims, breach of fiduciary duty, trade secrets, and unfair and deceptive trade practices, and has handled matters through trial and appeal.
Leah also represents employers and executives in high-stakes employment disputes, including restrictive covenant matters, trade secret misappropriation, discrimination, retaliation, pay equity, and breach of executive employment agreements. She has substantial experience enforcing non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, including obtaining injunctive relief, and regularly counsels clients in pre-litigation restrictive covenant and trade secret matters.
Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2016
Boston University, B.S., summa cum laude, 2012
Bar and Court Admissions
BAR ADMISSIONS
Massachusetts
New York
COURT ADMISSIONS
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Experience
Accounting Litigation & Enforcement
Represented Big Four accounting firm in an action in the Commercial Division of New York Supreme Court asserting fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and constructive fraud claims related to tax and valuation services the firm provided to a reinsurer that entered into a reinsurance transaction with plaintiffs, with whom the Big 4 firm had no contact or relationship.
Represented accounting firm in SEC investigation concerning global pharmaceutical company.
Represented Big Four global firm in trade secret litigation.
Conducted internal investigation for large national accounting firm.
Represented accounting firm in SEC investigation related to contingent liability issues.
Represented accounting firm in DOJ investigation and related litigation concerning global healthcare company.
Represented accounting firm in grand jury investigation related to healthcare company and its executives.
Complex Commercial Litigation
Represented putative class of investors in breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty litigation against broker-dealer in connection with trades executed on the NYSE, including successfully opposing summary judgment and preparing for jury trial.
Represented investment management company and its leadership in Delaware Court of Chancery in connection with non-competition, fiduciary duty, and trade secret dispute with major fast-casual restaurant chain.
Represented clean energy company through full arbitration hearing on claims of fraudulent inducement and breach of contract.
Obtained dismissal of unjust enrichment claim against private equity firm in Delaware Court of Chancery.
Represented large shareholder in books-and-records bench trial in the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Employment Litigation
Representing university in federal litigation concerning gender discrimination and pay equity.
Representing investment bank in federal litigation and FINRA arbitration brought by former employee asserting a variety of claims, including breach of contract, Massachusetts Wage Act retaliation, and gender discrimination.
Obtained preliminary injunction on behalf of pharmaceutical client in federal district court enforcing non-competition agreement, and successfully defended the injunction on appeal to the First Circuit.
Represented pharmaceutical client in the Massachusetts Superior Court Business Litigation Session in connection with non-competition and non-solicitation dispute.
Represented founder and CEO in dispute and arbitration involving alleged breaches of employment agreements and fiduciary duties.
Representing clients in a range of sensitive internal investigations.
Advising a variety of clients in pre-litigation non-competition, non-solicitation, and trade secret disputes.
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