An experienced commercial litigator, Amanda MacDonald serves as co-Chair of Williams & Connolly’s Securities Litigation and Enforcement practice groups, and is a leader in the firm’s investigations practice. Amanda has appeared in federal and state appellate and trial courts around the country, representing Fortune 100 issuers, underwriters, Big 4 accounting firms, board committees, special litigation committees, directors and corporate officers in securities litigation, class actions, derivative actions, and investigations and enforcement actions. In addition to her securities work, Amanda has extensive experience in commercial litigation and government, internal, and compliance investigations. She has guided major corporations, boards, directors and executives through intense and highly sensitive matters, in and out of the courtroom. She has led many internal investigations concerning whistleblower allegations, accounting irregularities, and personnel issues for a range of clients, including accounting firms, public companies, and corporate boards. Her recent investigations experience includes an investigation for a board committee of a public technology company, a large investigation for a Big Four accounting firm concerning regulatory matters, and an investigation for a public company regarding allegations relating to the workplace environment. Chambers USA has recognized Amanda as a Band 1 “Litigation: Securities” specialist in the District of Columbia, describing her as a “well-regarded securities litigator who excels in shareholder derivative actions and securities class actions.” Chambers notes that she is “an outstanding writer and strategist,” and is “strategic, thorough, responsive and gets excellent results.” Chambers further notes she is “extremely knowledgeable, effective and a subject matter expert for all things securities.” Benchmark Litigation has named Amanda a Litigation Star since 2025, and she has been named among the “500 Leading Litigators in America” by Lawdragon since 2023. Additionally, The National Law Journal named Amanda a Litigation “Trailblazer” in 2021 in connection with her defense of an issuer in multi-jurisdictional securities class actions. Amanda has spent her entire career at Williams & Connolly. She co-chairs the Firm’s Women’s Initiative, a group she co-founded in 2015. Representative ExperienceThough all cases vary and none is predictive, Amanda’s experience includes:
- Lead counsel on behalf of a global medical technology company in a putative securities class action alleging securities fraud claims relating to various regulatory actions, securing dismissal of all claims and a second dismissal with prejudice after the complaint was amended.
- Lead counsel on behalf of a Special Litigation Committee for the board of a large social and dating app in connection with derivative and Brophy insider trading claims relating to a controller’s stock sale filed by shareholder plaintiffs in both Delaware Chancery Court and federal court. Represented the SLC in conducting its investigation, documenting it, and then defending it in a Zapata challenge, resulting in a ruling from the Chancery Court that granted the SLC’s request to terminate the claims entirely.
- Co-lead counsel on behalf of a major healthcare company in several securities class actions filed in New York and Rhode Island state and federal courts, all relating to the company’s announcement of a goodwill impairment. Secured and maintained multiple dismissals with prejudice in state and federal trial and appellate courts.
- Co-lead counsel on behalf of a large renewable energy company in an earnout dispute filed in Delaware Chancery Court, resulting in dismissal of the complaint.
- Lead counsel on behalf of a large medical device manufacturer in connection with a government investigation relating to alleged FCA and AKS violations, securing a non-intervention election by the government.
- Lead counsel on behalf of a Fortune 100 healthcare company in a filed derivative action alleging various breaches of fiduciary duty, securing dismissal of the claims for demand futility.
- Lead counsel for a major global pharmaceutical company and certain executives in a putative securities class action relating to the spin-off of one of its business units. After briefing the motion to dismiss and oral argument, and prior to the court’s ruling on the defendant’s motion, the matter settled.
- Lead counsel on behalf of an Ivy League university in a putative class action seeking tuition and fee refunds in light of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, securing a victory in favor of the university on summary judgment.
- Represented a leading private equity firm in a putative securities class action relating to its investment in a public company, securing dismissal of the claims and affirmance on appeal.
- Defended a natural gas company and several current and former executives in a putative securities class action resulting from a regulatory settlement, securing dismissal with prejudice.
- Defended a global medical technology company and certain former executives in a securities class action alleging a fraudulent scheme relating to clinical trial data and academic publications.
- Defended a large pharmaceutical company in a securities class action resulting from a stock drop after the announcement of the company’s resolution of certain government investigations.
- Defended a large insurance company in a securities class action relating to a restatement of certain financial statements.
- Defended a senior executive of a global financial institution in connection with criminal, civil, and SEC investigations relating to alleged tax and accounting issues.
- Defended a major financial institution in a securities class action relating to alleged fraudulent lending practices and financial reporting after the Seventh Circuit granted a new trial on causation and damages.
- Led internal investigations for a Fortune 100 company stemming from whistleblower- and hotline-initiated allegations involving alleged financial fraud, policy violations, and insider trading.
- Led internal investigation for a public company stemming from allegations of retaliation and other employment-related issues.
- Led internal investigation for a firm involving allegations of widespread employee misconduct and policy violations.
Recognitions"Litigation: Securities (D.C.), Band 1," Chambers USA, 2024-2026 "Litigation Star," Benchmark Litigation, 2025-2026 "500 Leading Litigators in America," Lawdragon, 2023-2026 "Litigation Trailblazer," The National Law Journal, 2021 |
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