Paige Holden Montgomery

PAIGE HOLDEN MONTGOMERY has represented companies, board committees, and bankruptcy-created trusts in internal investigations and reviews, including investigations related to alleged Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other statutory violations, accounting and executive issues, and potential claims of creditors. Paige has also assisted companies with proactive risk assessments and corporate governance reform. As part of that practice, Paige has represented companies in investigatory proceedings by the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, the Commodity Futures & Trading Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and state regulatory agencies. Paige is also a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Paige’s practice also covers all aspects of complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts throughout the country. She has litigated a wide range of disputes, including: breach of contract, misrepresentation and fraud disputes; fiduciary duty obligations; securities class actions; actions under federal and state securities laws; bankruptcy-related matters; fraudulent transfer cases; multi-jurisdictional disputes; copyright and trademark disputes; and ERISA claims.

Paige has served as counsel in a number of high-profile investigations and cases. Her experience includes successfully resolving civil and criminal matters involving governmental entity investigation of public companies, representing a Fortune 50 company in a suit alleging that it fraudulently spun off a subsidiary to its shareholders; and representing large debtors and creditors’ committees in bankruptcy confirmation proceedings, adversary proceedings, and claim resolution.

Paige is a Dallas chapter co-leader of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association and a firmwide co-chair of SidleyWomen. In recognition of her success, Paige was recognized by Chambers USA in the area of Litigation: White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations in Texas (2022–2025). Paige was also ranked by Legal 500 Latin America 2023–2026 guides in the area of Compliance and Investigations.

Paige is a magna cum laude graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law where she was a recipient of the Hutchinson Scholarship. She served as an articles editor for the SMU Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif. Following law school, Paige clerked for the Honorable H. Barefoot Sanders of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Paige’s recent representations include:

• Representing Rexel USA, Inc. in its acquisition of Talley, Inc., a distributor of wireless infrastructure products, services, and solutions in the U.S.
• Representing U.S. public company with investigations spanning several Latin American jurisdictions, including Mexico and Argentina, into potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. 
• Advised a Special Committee and conducted an investigation on behalf of an international energy company on FCPA issues in Mexico and Colombia.  
• Represented an international retailer in internal investigation and risk assessment related to subcontracting and import/export issues in Central America and the Caribbean.
• Represented auto parts manufacturer in internal investigation of possible violations of U.S. laws, as well as potential civil fraud and violations of company policies. 
• Represented auto parts retailer in proceedings with the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Represented public companies in assessment of company policies and compliance programs.
• Represented big-box retailer in internal investigation involving claims of misconduct by CEO.  
• Representing privately owned security company in corporate governance issues. 
• Represented privately held company in trademark litigation matter in Northern District of Texas.    
• Represented public university board in connection with corporate governance reform following a sexual abuse scandal.

A sampling of Paige’s key representations prior to joining Sidley includes:

• Litigation counsel for 13 outside directors of public company in federal securities fraud class action lawsuit in the Northern District of Oklahoma alleging violations of sections 10(b), 11, and 12. The matter settled after mediation.
• Defended private equity investment company in federal securities fraud class action lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas under sections 10(b) and 20(a). The case was dismissed at motion to dismiss.
• Represented public company officer/director in Oklahoma state court claims related to copyright law and breach of fiduciary duty under Delaware law. The case was resolved after mediation.
• Trial counsel in the defense of a US$90 million suit in Dallas County District Court for rescission and damages arising out of plaintiff’s purchase of client’s preferred stock. The court granted summary judgment dismissing all claims.
• Trial counsel in the defense of a suit in the Delaware Court of Chancery, in which the opponent, an activist hedge fund mounting a proxy fight, sought to compel access to the client corporation’s books and records under Section 220 of the Delaware Corporate Code. After trial, the Court of Chancery dismissed all claims and awarded costs to the defense. The judgment was affirmed by the en banc Delaware Supreme Court. See 922 A.2d 415 (Del. 2007); 2007 WL 907650 (Del. Ch. 2006).
• Trial counsel in the defense of a Texas state court suit, removed to federal district court, in which the hedge fund plaintiffs sought to enjoin the client corporation’s impending exchange of stock and alleging violations of the Investment Company Act. The court dismissed the claims at the motion to dismiss stage.
• Litigation counsel in Bankruptcy Court in Delaware involving numerous claims. Negotiated settlements with key creditors and obtained court approval necessary for plan confirmation. Represented debtors in connection with an internal investigation into the cause of debtors’ trading losses and in connection with various governmental investigations. Plan confirmed.
• National coordination counsel for multidistrict litigation case and over 30 individual and class action cases in multiple states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Montana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
• Litigation counsel for large corporate debtor in Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York in adversary proceedings and claim negotiation.
• Represented financial services company in investigation by NASD into company sales model.
• Represented company in a series of actions and arbitrations related to contractual disputes regarding licensed products.
• Successfully overturned judgment and attorneys’ fees award through a motion for new trial in Dallas County District Court.
• Represented private company in internal investigation commenced by shareholder into executive activities.
• Represented company in lawsuit alleging breach of contract and fraudulent inducement. Obtained summary judgment for defendant that was affirmed on appeal.

• Paige currently serves as a firmwide co-chair for SidleyWomen
• Paige is currently a barrister in the Judge Mac Taylor American Inn of Court and has been an associate of the Judge Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court.
• Paige serves as a Dallas chapter co-leader of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association. She also serves as a director of the Girls’ Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas board and co-chaired its 2023 Bold Dreams Breakfast event.