Anne L. Doherty Associate

Anne concentrates on high-stakes commercial litigation and class action defense in trial and appellate courts.

She has won significant victories and favorable settlements for clients in both federal and state courts. Anne’s practice focuses on a range of complex issues related to class action litigation, consumer protection, commercial contract disputes, business torts, and criminal law. Anne also advises on government and internal investigations. Anne participates in the firm’s pro bono efforts and represents indigent defendants before the federal courts of appeal.

Before joining McGuireWoods, Anne was a law clerk to the Honorable J. Clifford Wallace of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She was also an associate in the New York City office of a top-ranked global law firm.

While in law school, Anne prepared criminal appellate briefs as an intern for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia. Anne was on the managing board of the Virginia Law Review and was awarded the John M. Olin Prize in Law & Economics at graduation. She also received the Top Appellate Brief Award in her law school’s moot court competition. She was ranked third in oral argument and fifth overall in a national moot court competition.

Prior to law school, Anne graduated with distinction from the University of Oxford and summa cum laude from Florida State University.

"Being an advisor means listening to your clients’ concerns and working together to find solutions."

Experience

Defend a major financial institution in a putative consumer class action alleging it enrolled home loan borrowers in mortgage escrow accounts without authorization.

Persuaded the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to stay district court proceedings during pending appeal of class certification for airplane manufacturer.

Defended claims brought by borrowers against a financial institution in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.

Defended a pharmaceutical company in an action alleging that it engaged in unfair trade practices in federal court.

Secured dismissal of claims on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit for a major financial institution in a consumer finance case.

Won dismissal in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California of the majority of claims in a class action filed against a major financial institution in connection with guaranteed automobile protection (GAP) waivers.

Represented a major financial institution in arbitration concerning termination of master services agreement.

Defeated class certification in an auto lending class action brought against a major financial institution in federal court.

Defended a financial institution against claims asserted by anapplicant for an SBA-backed commercial loan.

Earned a precedent-setting victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit for a pro bono client charged in prison disciplinary proceedings.

Defended a major financial institution in a FINRA arbitration regarding claim to a multi-million dollar account.

  • North Carolina
  • New York
  • University of Virginia School of Law, JD, Articles Editor, Virginia Law Review, 2014
  • University of Oxford, MS, Global Governance and Diplomacy, with distinction, 2011
  • Florida State University, BA, International Affairs, summa cum laude, 2010

Selected for inclusion into the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, 2020

Recipient, John M. Olin Prize in Law & Economics, 2014

Recipient, Lile Moot Court Competition: Top Appellate Brief Award, 2013

  • Hon. John C. Wallace, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, 2017-2018
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