In high school, I joined the debate team, where I met my law partner Clarissa Rodriguez, because I thought that being a lawyer meant arguing loudly and continuously until others accepted your position. Now, after many years of practicing law and arbitrating, I know that non-stop battle is not always the most effective method to achieve the best outcomes for my clients. A good lawyer or arbitrator has an entire array of tools, and experience teaches how best to use those tools. I know that some cases need a negotiator, some need an advocate, and some need a warrior, and I am experienced at playing each of those roles as the situation requires. I am pleased to get to know my clients and their unique concerns to develop a strategy to best achieve their personalized goals. Nothing makes me prouder than when a client describes me as a member of their team.

Notable Legal Representations

• Obtained an injunction and judgment in federal court on behalf of an international hotel chain against internet trademark infringement by a “cybersquatter” under the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act.
• Successfully defended a Fortune 500 company in multiple individual lawsuits brought separately to avoid a class action waiver in consumer subscriber agreement.
• Demanded arbitration and prosecuted claims on behalf of an agricultural vegetable grower against produce distributor.
• Successfully collaborated on an ICC arbitration against an international petrochemical company, resulting in a more than US$20 million final award, plus attorney’s fees, in favor of clients.
• Successfully defended national telecommunications company against consumer claims in both federal court and in a AAA arbitration, resulting in a final arbitration award in significant favor of clients on all key claims.
• Defended and won a motion to dismiss consumer class action claims in federal court.
• Successfully compelled arbitration of consumer class action claims in federal court, leading to the abandonment of the action by plaintiff.
• Prevailed on appeal in Florida state court addressing limits of trial court’s authority regarding property or assets located out-of-state in proceedings in aid of execution of a judgment.
• Successfully defended and cross-moved for summary judgment in claims arising out of enforcement of judgment and garnishment actions regarding VoIP phone providers.
• Successfully defended Mexican company in ICDR arbitration against breach of contract and fraud claims arising out of purchase and sale contract and letter of intent, resulting in a final arbitration award completely in favor of clients.

Publications

• Reich, Laura M. & Finburg, James, Chapter 11: CAFA Settlement Provisions, THE CLASS ACTION FAIRNESS ACT: LAW AND STRATEGY, American Bar Association (2d ed., anticipated Winter 2021)
• Reich, Laura M. & Rodriguez, Clarissa A., Chapter 1: Introduction to International Law, INTERNATIONAL LAW, The Fla. Bar International Law Section (Spring 2020)
• Reich, Laura M. & Rodriguez, Clarissa A., Reversing the Silk Road: The Rapid Rise of the Art Market in Asia and its Implications, International Law Quarterly, vol. XXXIV, no. 2 at 10 (Fall 2018)
• Reich, Laura M., Columnist, World Round-up: North America, International Law Quarterly (Fall 2018, Spring & Fall 2019, Winter & Spring 2020)
• Reich, Laura M. & Rodriguez, Clarissa A., A Good Day at Work, The Woman Advocate, ABA, Vol. 24, Issue 1 (Winter 2018)
• Reich, Laura M. & Rodriguez, Clarissa A., Consider Alternative Dispute Resolution BEFORE You Litigate, The Dade County Bar Assoc. Bulletin, January 2018
• Reich, Laura M. & Rodriguez, Clarissa A., The Art of the Arbitration, International Law Quarterly, vol. XXXIII, no. 3 at 14 (Fall 2017)
• Reich, Laura M. & Rodriguez, Clarissa A., Prepare to Win: First Steps in International Arbitration, The Woman Advocate, ABA, Vol. 22, Issue 2 (Winter 2017)
• Reich, Laura M., Read the Fine Print: Arbitration Agreement May Have Benefits for Consumers, Daily Business Review, ALM, Nov. 16, 2016

Admitted To Practice

• The Florida Bar
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District and Middle District of Florida
• U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit