Overview
Liz Cassady is a trial-ready litigator and co-lead of Steptoe's global ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) team.
A member of Steptoe's Energy Litigation, Financial Services and Class Action groups, Liz represents major companies in a full slate of business-critical litigation. She has successfully defended clients in individual and class actions alleging securities, antitrust, RICO, Commodities Exchange Act, and contract claims, as well as claims of fraud, fraudulent conveyance, negligence, unjust enrichment, and other business torts. Clients trust her to handle their high‑profile, "bet the company" litigations.
Liz is a strong team leader who is particularly skilled at navigating cases through the pre-trial phase, including fact and expert discovery, class certification and summary judgment briefing. Liz has extensive experience leading cross-office teams in multi-defendant, multi-forum cases, and works effectively within joint defense groups. Liz's deep understanding of both substantive and procedural law, combined with her practical experience, allows her to develop targeted litigation strategies for clients, efficiently manage e‑discovery, and reduce costly and unnecessary motion practice.
As co-lead of Steptoe's ESG team, Liz assists clients with integrating their ESG strategy, ensuring compliance with applicable and rapidly evolving rules and regulations, and managing associated risks. She collaborates closely with colleagues across offices and practice groups, including chemical and life sciences, energy, international trade and regulatory compliance, and government affairs and public policy.
- District of Columbia
- New York
- Supreme Court of the United States
- US Court of Appeals, District of Columbia
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- US District Court, District of Columbia
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 2009
- B.A., Cornell University, 2006
Areas of Work
Representative Matters
- Representing Eddystone Rail Company LLC, in a four-week bench trial concerning an approximately $300 million claim related to a take or pay contract.
- Representing Vertex Energy, Inc. in putative securities class actions filed in federal court in Texas and Alabama.
- Representing Hashwatt, Inc. in a contractual dispute concerning an energy purchase agreement.
- Representing pipeline company in FERC proceeding.
- Advising private company in connection with a greenhouse gas emissions assessment.
- Representing Portigon in antitrust class and individual actions related to alleged manipulation of various benchmark interest rates.
- Represented Goldman Sachs in confidential matter.
- Represented the Republic of Argentina in litigation brought by minority shareholders alleging breach of contract related to Argentina’s expropriation of 51% of shares of an energy company.*
- Represented Nomura and First Horizon in litigation brought by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, concerning RMBS.*
*prior to joining Steptoe
Speaking Engagements
- "Tough Terrain- the Challenges and Opportunities ESG Presents for Your Business," Energy & Mineral Law Foundation 44th Annual Institute, June 18-20, 2023
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"ESG and Climate Disclosure," Steptoe Food Contact Conference, April 26, 2023
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"Employment & ESG Series Part II: What We Expect to See in 2023," DCI Consulting, March 8, 2023
- "Judicial Consideration of Lead Plaintiffs' Ex Ante Fee Agreements and Parties' Fee Agreements," Second Annual Class Action Case Law and Practice Review Conference, November 11, 2021
- "eDiscovery, Social Media, and Ethical Obligations," Women, Influence & Power In Law (WIPL)'s Conference, October 7, 2021
- "ESG Class Action Defense Strategies: Reassessing Traditional Approaches to Standing, Discovery, Pre-Cert Motions" on June 21, 2022
- "Strategically Limiting Discovery in Class Litigation: Tactics for Defense Counsel," Strafford, February 3, 2022
News & Publications
Client Alerts
March 8, 2024
Publications
Wisconsin Court Reaffirms Liability Limitation’s Preemptive Force
Bloomberg Law
December 7, 2023
By: Shaun Boedicker, Elizabeth A. Cassady, Jennifer Quinn-Barabanov
Client Alerts
September 19, 2023
By: Elizabeth A. Cassady, Coy Garrison, Jeffrey G. Weiss, Jason Meade, Surya Kundu, Emily Tifft
Press Releases
Liz Cassady Recognized by The National Law Journal as a DC Rising Star
September 5, 2023
Client Alerts
US Supreme Court Holds Race-Based University Admissions Programs Unconstitutional
June 30, 2023
By: Ryan P. Poscablo, Elizabeth A. Cassady, Brigida Benitez, Eric Berman, Dwight J. Draughon, Jr., Patrick F. Linehan, Shannon Reid, Brittney Denley
Client Alerts
ESG-driven Litigation Soars to New Heights in Class Action Lawsuits Against Airlines
June 22, 2023
Client Alerts
Broad Implications If FERC Sides with State AGs’ Effort to Limit ESG Investing
May 25, 2023
By: William M. Keyser, Marc L. Spitzer, Carol R. Gosain, Elizabeth A. Cassady, Cary Glynn
Client Alerts
New Year, New Green Guide Review
FTC opens public comment period regarding its influential Green Guides
January 9, 2023
By: Surya Kundu, Joseph Dages, Joan Baughan, Eric Berman, Daniel Blynn, Elizabeth A. Cassady, Jeffrey G. Weiss
Events
Seminars & Events
Fifth Annual Regulatory Symposium
November 30, 2023
Speakers: Ruxandra Cana, Elizabeth A. Cassady, Tod Cohen, Micah S. Green, Anne-Gabrielle Haie, Pantelis Michalopoulos, Michael L. Weiner
Webinars
How to Tell Your Sustainability Story Without Greenwashing—or Greenhushing All Together
October 25, 2023
Speakers: Eric Berman, Elizabeth A. Cassady
Seminars & Events
Complimentary Food Contact Conference
April 25, 2023 - April 26, 2023
Speakers: Joan Baughan, Daniel C. Rubenstein, Joseph Dages, Carly Rolph, Kimberly Cassidy, Ph.D., Jessica Cooper, Ph.D., Patricia Kinne, Glen Rosini, Tom Gillett, Anthony G. Hopp, Ruxandra Cana, Elizabeth A. Cassady, Coy Garrison, Abigail Miller, Regulatory Review Chemist, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Sean Fischer, Consumer Safety Officer, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Daniel Felton, Executive Director, AMERIPEN
Seminars & Events
Fourth Annual Regulatory Symposium: Inflation-Killers?
November 10, 2022
Speakers: Shaun Boedicker, Ruxandra Cana, Elizabeth A. Cassady, Pantelis Michalopoulos, Tim Strafford, Michael L. Weiner
Noteworthy
- National Law Journal, Washington, DC, "Rising Star" (2023)
Professional Affiliations
- Leadership Counsel on Legal Diversity (LCLD) 2022 Fellow
- Law360 Rising Star, Banking Litigation
- Co-chair, Working Parents Committee, Women's Bar Association of DC (2022)