Chelsea L. Hilliard Partner

With more than a decade of experience representing clients in high-stakes litigation and corporate governance matters, Chelsea counsels companies in litigation arising out of mergers and acquisitions, particularly venture capital or private equity-financed investments.

She handles stockholder derivative cases, securities class actions, internal investigations, and investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice. In addition, she advises companies on Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG), risk management, corporate governance and investment matters.

Experience

Secured the dismissal of a $68 million fraud and breach of fiduciary duty shareholder derivative suit arising out of the wind down of a hedge fund at the summary judgment stage.*

Successfully tried to a jury verdict on the merits in the Northern District of Texas in the defense of a corporate client against quantum meruit claims arising out of a private placement transaction*

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

Represented a group of former shareholders of a multinational investment banking firm in bringing 10-b(5) claims.*

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 unpaid account against companies by prior manager’s family members.*

*Experience handled prior to joining McGuireWoods.
  • SMU Dedman School of Law, JD, cum laude, Editor & Administrative Director, Science and Technology Law Review
  • Southern Methodist University, BFA, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, departmental distinction

Co-chair, Dallas Bar Association, Judiciary and Judicial Investiture Committee

Co-chair, American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Securities Litigation Subcommittee 

William "Mac" Taylor American Inn of Court

Graduate, Business Council for the Arts, Leadership Arts Institute, 2020

Fellow; Co-chair, District 6 Nominating Committee, 2021-2022, Texas Bar Foundation

Fellow, Dallas Bar Foundation

Sustaining Fellow and Grant Committee, DAYL Foundation, 2019, 2020, 2022

Co-chair, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Trial Skills Committee, 2018-2020

  • Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Named to “Texas Rising Stars,” 2014-2018, 2020-2023, Securities Litigation, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters

Recognized, "Ones to Watch," Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers, 2021-2023

Recognized, "Best Lawyers Under 40," D Magazine, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

Selected for inclusion by her peers as a "Texas Rising Star," Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazines, 2014-2022

Featured, "One to Watch," Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, November 2020

  • Contributing Author, "Legal & Regulatory Responsibilities of Board Members," Board Ready Women, Deloitte, April 2019, 2020, 2021
  • Author, "Legal & Regulatory Responsibilities of Board Members," Harvard University, March 2019, 2021
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