Elizabeth Scully is a skilled trial attorney who's been recognized as one of Washington, D.C.'s "Super Lawyers" in the areas of civil litigation, employment litigation and business litigation defense. Elizabeth has an extensive breadth of experience defending individuals and companies in litigation matters involving complex commercial and contract disputes, whistleblower retaliation and employment discrimination claims, professional malpractice, and antitrust claims. Elizabeth advocates for her clients in state and federal courtrooms throughout the country, and brings a creative and strategic mindset to the cases on which she works.
Elizabeth serves as the Washington, D.C. Litigation Leader, with practice management responsibility for approximately 50 attorneys. She began her career in the firm’s Columbus office, where she served as a mediator for the Franklin County Municipal Court in contract disputes.
Commercial and Business Litigation
- Leading trial teams in a variety of matters in the United States and abroad stemming from the firm's appointment as counsel to the SIPA Trustee in the liquidation of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC. The team's efforts are concentrated on the investigation and recovery of assets from off-shore hedge funds. Recoveries will be added to the fund of customer property, which will be distributed pro rata to the customers of the Madoff Ponzi scheme with allowed claims.
Fiduciary Litigation
- Served as trial counsel for trustees in litigation involving the termination and winding-up of a trust lasting more than 90 years. The matter involved trust assets in excess of $4 billion and issues of first impression under the Ohio Trust Code.
Employment Litigation
- Represented a multinational information and technology equipment and services company in a gender and race discrimination matter in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (aka the "Rocket Docket"). Elizabeth's innovative approach for preparing and defending a corporate executive for the Rule 30(b)(6) deposition in that matter was commended by the court. Ultimately, the court granted summary judgment on behalf of the client.
First Amendment, Defamation Litigation
- In a defamation action brought by a former U.S.D.A. official, led the trial team's discovery efforts against the Executive Office of the White House, the U.S.D.A. and several U.S. congressmen. Obtained a rare order in civil litigation between private parties in which the government was required to produce confidential emails by and between White House staff and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
Professional Malpractice Litigation
- Represented a cardiac surgeon against the claim that post-operative care caused blindness in one eye. The three-week jury trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia resulted in a defense verdict. Defense verdict was affirmed by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.