Overview

Leanne Murray Shofi is Special Counsel to the firm, handling all aspects of federal and state complex commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and appeals. Her practice includes the representation of corporations and individuals in financial industry and business litigation, telecommunications and land use litigation, contractual and employment disputes, and appeals.

Ms. Shofi began her career as a commercial litigator at Kelley Drye & Warren, and for over two decades has provided sophisticated business litigation services to a wide range of clients. She carefully considers the unique needs of her clients while constructing a litigation strategy tailored to achieve the best results possible under the applicable facts and law.

After graduating from Duke University with Distinction in English, Ms. Shofi earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from Pace University, where she was Research & Writing Editor of the Pace Law Review and a member of the National Moot Court team. She is a member of the Executive Board of her Alumni Board of Directors and regularly serves as a judge for the Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court competition.

Credentials

Education

Pace University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1994

Duke University, B.A. Distinction in English, 1990

Bar Admissions

Connecticut and New York

District of Connecticut

Southern District of New York

Eastern District of New York

Western District of New York

United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Supreme Court of the United States of America

Publications

Co-Author, “The Constitutionality of New York’s Grandparent Visitation Statute in Light of Troxel v. Granville,” 27 Westchester Bar Journal 19 (2000).

Author, “Davis v. Davis: The Embryonic Stages of Procreational Privacy,” 14 Pace Law Review 567 (1994).

Representations

  • Successfully represented telecommunications provider before the S.D.N.Y. in connection with novel issues of Constitutional law and federal preemption.
  • Won motion to dismiss on behalf of major telecommunications corporation in Article 78 proceedings.
  • Represented global reinsurance corporation in R&W arbitration.
  • Represented broker-dealer in Second Circuit appeal regarding engagement and placement agreements.
  • Won motion to dismiss on behalf of developer of state-of-the art, green parking garage near Westchester County Airport.
  • Won judgment in favor of landowners in quiet title action.
  • Represented large distribution company in connection with two Second Circuit appeals arising out of breach of contract and guaranty.
  • Represented software supply corporation in proceedings regarding breach of data collection automation services agreement and breach of duties of loyalty and confidentiality against former employee.
  • Appellate consultant in patent infringement appeal to Federal Circuit.
  • Appellate consultant in First Circuit appeal regarding judicial assignment.
  • Represented investor in FINRA arbitration and Connecticut proceedings arising from broker-dealer’s fraudulent sales and marketing practices.
  • Represented former directors in New York First Department appeal regarding minority shareholder oppression, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and trade secret misappropriation.