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Ali Baiardo

Alicia A. Baiardo Partner

San Francisco T +1 415 844 1973 F fax +1 415 844 1916
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Ali, a partner in the San Francisco office of McGuireWoods, is a commanding commercial litigator trusted by three of the largest U.S. banks and numerous Fortune Global 500 companies to defend high-stakes, multimillion-dollar class actions and other complex litigation. Her practice spans nationwide consumer class actions involving millions of class members, California-wide cases alleging unfair competition, fraud, violation of various consumer protection statutes, complex Ponzi-scheme matters brought against financial institutions, and the rapidly evolving landscape of mass arbitrations. She has a strong track record of successfully representing clients through trial, including defending major national banks in multidistrict class action litigation and individual class actions, skillfully navigating the regulatory implications that often accompany such matters.

As the Client Responsible Attorney (CRA) for a major financial institution, Ali oversees the client relationship and coordinates strategy across multiple matters, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and results.

With nearly two decades of experience, Ali advocates for her clients at all stages of litigation – securing dismissals with prejudice, negotiating strategically beneficial settlements where appropriate, and preparing cases for trial when necessary. She has significant experience defending financial institutions against consumer fraud, aiding and abetting, and violations of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and Fair Housing Act (FHA).

Ali also has significant experience in mass arbitration, including representing clients before the Ninth Circuit in defense of arbitration provisions. She helps clients think strategically about their arbitration provisions in light of shifting legal precedent.

In addition, she advises clients in commercial disputes, privacy matters, and trust and estate litigation involving undue influence allegations, accounting disputes, life estate valuations, inter-family asset distribution, and special trustee’s fiduciary duties in administering family trusts. She is a member of the firm’s Data Privacy & Security Group and a registered member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

Her commitment to justice extends to pro bono work, where she has successfully litigated asylum and prisoners’ rights cases. Ali serves on the firm’s Board of Partners, joined the Diversity Committee in 2019, and co-chaired the Women Lawyers Network from 2022-2025.

Experience
  • Obtained first-of-its-kind order from Ninth Circuit for a major financial institution affirming a AAA Process Arbitrator’s order requiring the claimants provide basic information about their claims before proceeding with mass arbitration claims.
  • Defended major national banks in multidistrict class action litigation and individual class actions while navigating regulatory implications.
  • Successfully defeated class certification in a high-stakes case seeking up to $6 billion in damages for a major financial institution, following a rare “concurrent expert” proceeding (often also referred to as a “hot tub” hearing), that proved pivotal. Currently defending interlocutory appeal before the Ninth Circuit.
  • Secured a favorable settlement on behalf of a major financial institution in fraud and credit card laundering suits, reducing $1.5 billion in claimed damages to a $33 million through key litigation victories.
  • Represented a major financial institution in class and receiver actions arising from one of Nevada’s largest Ponzi schemes, involving over $500 million in alleged transfers through a trust account.
  • Secured dismissal with prejudice at the Rule 12 stage on behalf of a major financial institution in a nationwide class action alleging synthetic identity fraud and unauthorized account activity.
  • Represented Fortune 100 manufacturing company in a breach of contract matter involving the company’s software platform.
  • Represented company in fraud-related construction matter securing significant award in arbitration.
  • Successfully handle trust and estate litigation matters involving undue influence allegations, accounting disputes, and claims concerning a corporate trustee’s fiduciary duties.
  • Defended major national banks in litigation triggering Articles 3 and 4 of the Commercial Code, including customer obligations, unauthorized signatures, know your customer requirements, electronic funds transfers and applicable federal preemption.
  • Secured order from court denying class certification for major financial institution in a putative class action in the Northern District of California alleging discriminatory home lending.
  • Successful representation of clients through trial.

Events

  • Panelist, "Emerging Trends in Mass Arbitration," California MCLE Day, February 26, 2025
  • Speaker, "Lawyering with Littles: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Panel," McGuireWoods California CLE Day, January 26, 2023
  • Speaker, An Overview of California Data Privacy Laws, San Francisco Bank Attorneys Association, February 7, 2022
  • Panelist, Class Action Review, January 25, 2022
  • Speaker, California Data Privacy Legal Update: Compliance Requirements Under the CCPA, CPRA, Attorney General Regulations and CPPA, McGuireWoods CLE, January 20, 2022
  • Speaker, "Where Marketers and Attorneys Learn to Speak the Same Language ," Frenemies Video Series, October 2020 - April 2021
  • Speaker, "Biometrics Data Privacy: Summary on Compliance, Legislation and Recent Litigation Issues Facing Retailers," ACC Charlotte Retail Affinity Group CLE, March 16, 2021
  • Speaker, Naughty or Nice? An Overview of the CPRA, December 15, 2020
  • Host, "The One Where 'Sale' Doesn’t Mean What You Think: What is a Sale and Why Does it Matter? ," Frenemies Video Series, November 28, 2020
  • Speaker, "Real Action: What Companies, Law Firms and Academic Institutions are Doing to Identify and Eliminate Bias," Katharine and George Alexander Community Law Center at Santa Clara University School of Law, October 28, 2020
  • Panelist, Class Action Review, Complimentary Webinar, December 12, 2019
  • Speaker, "Unique Will and Trust Issues," McGuireWoods Fiduciary Survey: Important Trust and Tax Developments, McGuireWoods CLE, May 1, 2019
  • Panelist, Class Action Review, January 29, 2019
  • Panelist, "Class Action Updates and Developments 2018," McGuireWoods MCLE, San Francisco, January 24, 2019
  • Panelist, "Self-Advocacy & Countering Personal Negation," Women, Diversity & Change, San Francisco, November 7, 2018
  • Presenter, "Beyond PowerPoint: Integrating Technology in Your Litigation Practice," Bar Association of San Francisco, Barristers Annual Meeting, November 4, 2016

Insights

  • Selected for inclusion in “Legal 500 United States,” Cyber Law (including data protection and privacy), 2024, 2025
  • Named to “Top Women Lawyers,” California, Daily Journal, 2021

Spotlight

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