Molly L. Leiwant

Molly L. Leiwant is a counsel in Goodwin’s Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Financial Industry Litigation practices, primarily focusing her practice on the litigation of commercial and corporate disputes, with an emphasis on securities, shareholder, and ERISA litigation, corporate governance matters, and other complex business disputes. Molly also has an extensive pro bono practice, including representing children in immigration proceedings through Kids In Need of Defense (“KIND”).

Prior to joining Goodwin in 2019, Molly was a litigation associate at Paul Hastings LLP.

• Representations of various underwriter syndicates in class action matters in the Eastern Districts of New York and the New York State Courts alleging violations of the Federal Securities Laws in connection with the clients underwriting of common stock offerings, primarily of non-US based issuers. All of these matters which have been resolved have resulted in the dismissal with prejudice of all claims against Goodwin’s clients.
• Successful representation of a life science oncology company in a securities class action litigation in the New York Supreme Court claiming that our client fraudulently reported the results of its clinical trial results in its prospectus issued in connection with its initial public offering. Following our filing of a motion to dismiss the complaint, the Plaintiffs agreed to voluntarily dismiss their complaint with prejudice
• Representations of financial services companies in nationwide ERISA class actions alleging that investment options in employee retirement plans had excessive fees and/or poor performance.
• Representation of a pharmaceutical company and its officers and directors in a securities class action in the District of New Jersey, and related derivative shareholder litigation relating to the marketing of a fentanyl-based pain medication.*
• Representation of a manufacturing holding company in litigation in the New York Supreme Court relating to allegations that it aided and abetted the breach of fiduciary duties of the directors of a company that was a major customer. The case was resolved by the plaintiff agreeing to withdraw all claims without any compensation.*
• Representation of a major energy delivery company in litigation before the Delaware Chancery Court regarding a challenge to pipeline asset purchase.*
• Representation of a financial institution in a suit in the New York Supreme Court relating to its investment in a financial research and analytics company, and alleged breach of contract to promote the company’s products, which resulted in summary judgment dismissing all claims.*
• Representation of a bank holding company and its officers and directors in a securities class action and related derivative actions relating to tax liabilities allegedly owed to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.*

*Experience prior to joining Goodwin.

Molly has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America Ones to Watch for her work in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Commercial Litigation 2022.

Molly was named to The Best Lawyers in America 2021: Ones to Watch.

• “Supreme Court Rules That Securities Act Claims Can Be Brought in State Court,” Bloomberg Law (March 30, 2018)