Laura K. Schwalbe
Partner
Phone: (585) 282-0634
Laura serves as independent counsel, leads internal investigations, and represents clients before federal and state agencies. She advises clients in crisis.
Laura excels at investigation. She thrives at unearthing critical evidence from documents and witnesses. Laura regularly works hand-in-hand with forensics experts, and she has deep and broad experience with financial fraud investigations. Her work has awed clients, who have marveled at her ability to uncover vital but hidden evidence—sometimes from metadata, sometimes from lost witnesses—to reconstruct fact patterns.
Trained in the New York City office of Cadwalader and the D.C. office of WilmerHale for nearly seven years before working side-by-side with partner and former Southern District of New York AUSA Brian M. Feldman for more than seven more, Laura is beloved and respected by clients and government agents alike.
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Laura has conducted independent investigations for Boards, Special Committees, and government agencies. Her work has, among other things, led to the exit of a CEO, the defusing of an explosive intra-government dispute, and the successful prosecutions of wrongdoers.
In white-collar defense matters, she represents client organizations across the spectrum — from victims seeking justice to subjects navigating potential exposure to targets persuading the government to decline or favorably resolve charges. She has represented financial services, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations, among others.
In the relatively rare instances where agencies have persisted in treating clients unreasonably, Laura has litigated white collar cases, including at trial and appeal. More often, she has been able to obtain full declinations or favorable settlements for her clients from the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and the Office of the New York State Attorney General, among other regulators.
In addition to being a savvy investigator and advocate, Laura is also a certified privacy professional, with both US and European certifications.
Certifications
Certified Information Privacy Professional/US (CIPP/US)
Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E)
Education
The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, J.D., 2009
Boston University, B.A., 2005
Admissions
New York State
District of Columbia
S.D.N.Y., W.D.N.Y.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Recognition
Selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ for Commercial Litigation (2021-2024); Corporate Governance and Compliance Law (2022-2024)
Recipient, “Up and Coming Attorneys” Award, The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal’s Legal Excellence Program, 2021
Selected as a 40 Under 40 Honoree, Buffalo Business First, 2021
Selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2019-2020
New York Empire State Counsel®, 2010 and 2015
Note and Comment Editor, Catholic University Law Review, The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
Civic Service
Member, Board of Directors, WNY Heroes, Inc.
Professional Highlights
Breaking open intractable investigations. Through an attention to detail and a passion for solving mysteries, Laura has broken open multiple investigations with critical evidence that others missed. Her skills have empowered clients to make difficult decisions—such as rejecting serious allegations of wrongdoing, terminating officers, or reaching out to law enforcement—with confidence.
Working cooperatively with government agents. Laura knows how to work respectfully with law enforcement agencies and regulators, and she has repeatedly become a trusted partner with agents, providing critical evidence to assist in bringing wrongdoers to justice. These efforts have resulted in restitution for victimized organizations.
Locking horns with enforcers, when necessary. As effectively as Laura can cooperate with enforcement agencies, she is always ready to go to battle for clients. She has litigated trial-level and appellate matters against the government.
Advancing justice through pro bono work. An honoree of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York’s 2023 Pro Bono Honor Roll, Laura is proud of her most recent pro bono work on a team that vindicated a former Attica inmate’s constitutional claims for a quarter-million-dollar settlement with the State of New York.