Natalie A. Piazza

NATALIE PIAZZA represents corporations, boards of directors, and senior executives in high-stakes disputes and sensitive matters across the United States that present significant legal, regulatory, and reputational risk. Her practice includes complex commercial litigation, securities class actions, and shareholder disputes, as well as a broad range of investigations, governance, and crisis management matters.

Natalie has substantial experience advising clients in connection with investigations and enforcement actions brought by federal and state authorities, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and state attorneys general. She regularly advises clients in response to government inquiries and internal whistleblower complaints regarding allegations of legal or ethical misconduct, and helps clients navigate parallel civil, criminal, and regulatory matters.

Natalie’s practice sits at the intersection of litigation, investigations, and governance, allowing her to provide integrated counsel to clients facing multifaceted challenges. Natalie works closely with boards and senior leadership to assess and manage crisis-driven decision-making in moments of heightened legal and regulatory scrutiny. She provides trusted guidance in developing and executing legal strategies that align with broader business objectives.

Natalie is an active contributor to Sidley’s thought leadership on developments in corporate governance and enforcement trends, with a focus on evolving fiduciary duty standards and the shifting regulatory environment.

Natalie earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from Notre Dame Law School, where she received the “Edward F. Barrett Award” for outstanding achievement in the art of trial advocacy. During law school, Natalie was a member of Notre Dame’s Seventh Circuit Moot Court and represented a pro bono client in their direct criminal appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She also worked as a mediator through the Notre Dame Law School Mediation Clinic, and was nominated by law school faculty to receive the Seventh Circuit American Bankruptcy College “Distinguished Law Student Award.”

Before joining Sidley, Natalie served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Jon E. DeGuilio, Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

Natalie received her B.S. in business administration, cum laude, from the University of Southern California through the John H. Mitchell Business of Cinematic Arts Program, a highly selective joint program between the Marshall School of Business and the School of Cinematic Arts that integrates business fundamentals with immersive entertainment industry experience. During her undergraduate studies, Natalie worked for several premier production companies and leading talent agencies, where she developed a strong understanding of the commercial and strategic dynamics that drive creative industries and strengthened her ability to deliver responsive, detail-oriented client service in fast-paced environments.