Ms. Welch has over fifteen years of experience representing clients in disputes arising out of complex financial transactions and employment disputes. She has represented a range of clients, including hedge funds, private equity firms and individuals, in partnership disputes, regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings, commercial litigation, employment and partnership disputes, contract negotiations and other matters.
Prior to joining O’Brien LLP, Ms. Welch was with Arkin Kaplan Rice LLP, where she practiced securities, complex commercial and employment litigation. Prior to that, Ms. Welch was with Vinson & Elkins LLP in Houston, Texas, where she defended clients against employment-related claims, including federal and state law discrimination claims and breach of contract claims, and advised clients on employment-related issues, including contract negotiation and compliance with federal and state employment laws.
Representations in which Ms. Welch has participated include:
- Represented a hedge fund manager as co-lead counsel in jury trial pursuing claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty against a well-known public REIT, obtaining a verdict of $12.7 million, including punitive damages, and dismissal of all claims asserted against the client.
- Represented a multi-billion dollar hedge fund in a three-week jury trial, obtaining dismissal of all damage claims brought against the fund, and a $3 million damages and attorneys’ fees award in favor of the fund.
- Represented a sole manager of a $1.3 billion hedge fund in an arbitration brought against him arising out of the dissolution of the fund, obtaining dismissal of all claims.
- Represented a private equity fund and its principal in onshore and offshore litigation involving challenge to 2009 restructuring of the fund, obtaining ruling upholding restructuring and dismissal of all claims.
- Represented a prominent New York area law firm in dispute arising from proxy fight commenced by firm’s former hedge fund client, obtaining payment of outstanding legal fees for the firm and securing the dismissal on summary judgment of malpractice claims against the firm.
- Represented an international private equity fund and its principals in a compensation dispute with a former partner that included counterclaims of breach of duty and misappropriation of confidential information, obtaining settlement and dismissal of all claims.
- Represented a top-five law firm and partner defending against multi-million dollar claims arising out of a merger transaction, obtaining dismissal of all claims.
- Represented a world-renowned art gallery and family owners defending against an action by a third-party claiming ownership of valuable art looted during World War II, obtaining dismissal of all claims.
