Chelsea Hilliard is an associate with Foley Gardere. Chelsea is a devoted and driven litigator who obtains results with strategic thinking and intense work ethic. As a problem solver that always has her client’s best interests in mind, Chelsea endeavors to resolve disputes before litigation if possible, but when litigation is necessary she represents her clients with fierce and effective advocacy. Chelsea’s extensive litigation practice focuses primarily on complex commercial matters in a wide variety of industries and regions. She is experienced in all aspects of trial and arbitration practice, covering a wide array of legal issues, including:

• Breach of contract
• Fraud
• Misappropriation of trade secrets
• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Shareholder disputes

Securities Litigation

In particular, Chelsea has extensive experience in securities litigation, representing hedge funds, former shareholders, brokers, and other financial-sector clients in investor and counter-party disputes. Select securities experience includes representing hedge funds in shareholder disputes, and a securities matter, representing former shareholders of a multinational investment banking firm.

Labor And Employment Advice And Litigation

Chelsea advises corporate clients on legal matters that arise in departing employee contexts. Chelsea has significant experience handling matters concerning breach of non-compete and non-disclosure agreements. She is adept at advising clients on the use and enforceability of such covenants, from drafting to enforcement.

“I love what I do – simple as that. I’m passionate about finding that critical detail that opens up or ‘cracks’ a complicated case.”

Chelsea has been praised by clients for her ability to creatively and effectively convey data that gives her clients an advantage at trial.

Representative Experience

• Successfully defended a corporate client against quantum meruit claim following a jury trial on the merits in the Northern District of Texas

• Obtained summary judgment on multi-million dollar fraud and breach of fiduciary duty claim arising out of the wind-down of a hedge fund

• Defended national broker-dealers in FINRA arbitration proceedings against various types of investor complaints, including allegations of misrepresentation, misreporting and breach of fiduciary duty

• Assisted an investment advisor in a FINRA arbitration against former broker/dealer seeking expungement of defamatory Form U-5, and asserting claims related to breach of contract, defamation, and wrongful termination

• Obtained favorable dismissal of breach of contract claim seeking in excess of $7 million in damages in Northern District of Texas

• Obtained favorable award in a business mismanagement suit, defending claims for breach of contract and an unpaid account against companies by prior manager’s family members

• Obtained a take-nothing judgment in a $1.3 million dollar wrongful termination lawsuit