Natalie A. Piazza
Managing Associate
Commercial Litigation and Disputes
Securities Enforcement and Regulatory
Securities and Shareholder Litigation
Securities Enforcement and Regulatory
Securities and Shareholder Litigation
バイオグラフィー
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.
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.
経験
Representative Matters
A sampling of Natalie’s investigations and enforcement experience at Sidley includes:
- A publicly traded biopharmaceutical company before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as part of a voluntary self-disclosure of findings regarding the company's FDA product candidates and related disclosures; secured a rare, no-penalty decision under the Biden Administration.
- The Special Committee of the Board of Directors of a public company in conducting an internal investigation of a whistleblower complaint made by a former executive of the company regarding the company's market disclosures and tone at the top concerns; advised the Special Committee on remedial measures including changes to management and governance enhancements.
- A large public technology company in an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, focused on whether the company failed to adequately disclose material terms of negative option features or failed to provide a simple mechanism for consumers to cancel in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act or Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA).
- A logistics company in connection with an inquiry from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding its waste disposal practices.
- Audit Committee of a global telecommunications company in conducting an internal investigation related to financial reporting and accounting practices.
- A global telecommunications company in conducting an internal investigation of a whistleblower report regarding financial reporting concerns and government contracts.
- The Audit Committee of a subsidiary of a public insurance company in connection with an internal investigation of the subsidiary's executive.
- A national healthcare provider in response to a civil investigative demand from the U.S. Department of Justice stemming from a third-party whistleblower complaint alleging violations of anti-kickback statutes and the False Claims Act.
- A US-based entity of major global brand in an internal investigation of potential antitrust issues.
- Several independent directors of the Board of Directors of a publicly traded technology company in connection with the bankruptcy special committee investigation of potential fiduciary duty claims.
- The Special Committee of the Board of Directors of a major steel company on an internal investigation of its subsidiary that received notices from state officials regarding operations and a related whistleblower report made by a former employee.
- A Texas energy company on compliance best practices, including the design and training of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-bribery policies.
A sampling of Natalie’s litigation experience at Sidley includes:
- Secured a $908 million trial verdict in favor of a major US insurance company in a case brought by a foreign insurance firm and European bank related to liabilities associated with the historic mis-selling of insurance policies in the European Union and United Kingdom.
- Texas Pacific Land Trust, one of Texas’ largest landowners, with over 900,000 acres in the Permian Basin, in litigation against a group of dissident shareholders. Achieved a complete trial victory for TPL in the Delaware Chancery Court that was later affirmed by the Delaware Supreme Court. Secured the first-ever remedy of specific performance of a voting agreement against dissident shareholders.
- A publicly traded biopharmaceutical company in various shareholder lawsuits related to its market disclosures and public offering materials; secured highly favorable settlements in each matter.
- A financial services company in putative class action litigation filed in the Eastern District of Texas by account holder against multiple major financial institutions alleging fraud, RICO, and breach of contract; successfully compelled all claims to arbitration.
- The Big 12 Conference in high-profile antitrust class actions related to student-athlete compensation and NIL monetization, including the In re College Athlete NIL Litigation, which resulted in a court-approved class action settlement and comprehensive injunctive relief.
- A global provider of transportation solutions in an arbitration dispute against a leading automotive company in connection with a failed joint development agreement.
- A midstream energy company in litigation relating to the operations of a gas processing plant and in litigation alleging breach of a gas sale agreement.
- A private investment company with over $3 billion assets under management on response strategy to discovery demands and potential bankruptcy litigation.
- A public company in connection with various shareholder demands for inspection of books and records under Delaware General Corporate Law Section 220.
コミュニティへの参加
Membership & Activities
- Higginbotham American Inn of Court
資格
弁護士資格・登録
- U.S. District Court, E.D. of Texas
- U.S. District Court, N.D. of Texas
- Texas
学歴
- Notre Dame Law School, 法務博士, 2021, magna cum laude
- University of Southern California, 理学士, 2018, cum laude