Laura vigorously defends clients facing government investigations, coordinates internal and independent investigations, and represents clients in complex litigation. Clients trust her trial experience and her knowledge of government agencies to guide them through their legal challenges.
Laura helps clients respond to investigations, audits, and examinations by agencies including the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities & Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the U.S. Department of Education, as well as by various state Attorneys General.
Her comprehensive experience includes fact gathering, overseeing and coordinating responses to government requests, preparing individuals for depositions and testimony, and negotiating with government agencies. She has defended clients through trial and appeal against the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Before joining Harter Secrest & Emery, Laura worked in the securities litigation and enforcement group in the Washington, D.C. office of Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale & Dorr LLP and in the litigation group in the New York City office of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.
Representative Experience
- Obtained declinations in fraud investigations, for both for-profit and not-for-profit clients, from the U.S. Department of Justice and the New York Attorney General.
- Defended individual and corporate defendants at trial and on appeal against the Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Represented educational organizations, including colleges and universities, in investigations and self-disclosures with various state Attorneys General, the U.S. Department of Education, and the New York State Education Department.
- Represented health care organizations in investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.
- Advised and represented organizational client in federal tax fraud investigation and grand jury proceedings.
Honors & Awards
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Selected by her peers for inclusion in 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation
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Selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2019-2020
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New York Empire State Counsel®, 2010 and 2015
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Note and Comment Editor, Catholic University Law Review, The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
Publications
- "Attorney-Client Privilege in Government and Congressional Investigations: Key Considerations and Recent Developments," Business Law Today, January 10, 2019
News
- "Emerging Attorney: Laura Schwalbe," Buffalo Law Journal, September 9, 2019
- "Listening is key in internal investigations," Buffalo Business First, March 15, 2019
Presentations
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“Attorney-Client Privilege in Government: Whether, When, and to Whom the Privilege Applies,” Stafford Webinar, October 1, 2019
- “Attorney-Client Privilege in Government and Congressional Investigations: Key Considerations andRecent Developments,” Celesq® AttorneysEd Center and West LegalEdcenter Webcast, July 30, 2019
- "Protecting the Client and Preserving Privilege: A Look at the Ethics of Attorney Client Privilege in the Context of Government Investigations and Government Affairs," ABA Business Law Section, September 14, 2018
- “College & University Educational Breakfast Series,” with The Bonadio Group, Daemen College, January 17, 2018
- “Law Enforcement/Internal Investigations,” Niagara Frontier Corporate Counsel Association, Inc. Cybersecurity Update, September 21, 2016
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- New York
Education
- The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, J.D. magna cum laude
- Boston University, B.A.