Allegra Lawrence-Hardy uses creativity and results-oriented strategic analysis to develop legal solutions that work for her clients. Allegra focuses her practice on Business and Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment, and Crisis Management. She has successfully defended Fortune 100 companies throughout the United States and abroad in numerous trials, arbitrations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Allegra is known for her skill in trying cases, negotiating complex settlements and finding creative solutions. Allegra also helps develop processes and tools for improving the efficiency and delivery of legal services.
Allegra is lead counsel in Fair Fight Action v. Raffensperger. This historic litigation filed against the Georgia Secretary of State’s office and the State Election Board challenges the intentional neglect of voting systems that targeted communities of color and kept them from voting in the 2018 election. The lawsuit seeks to address these issues and to develop systems for accountability, to improve the systems, policies and procedures for voter registration, absentee ballot processing, and provisional ballots, and to provide other reforms.
Allegra often shares her deep litigation knowledge as a prolific author and soughtafter speaker. While serving as chair of Sutherland’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, she developed Sutherland Scholars, a summer pre-law school “boot camp” offered at no cost for students from historically black colleges and universities.
Allegra was a law clerk for the Honorable Susan H. Black of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Allegra is a fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, which is an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society and represents less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Fellows are selected based upon excellence and accomplishments in litigation, trial work and superior ethical reputation.
Allegra has been recognized by Chambers USA: Guide to Leading Business Lawyers, repeatedly named to The Best Lawyers in America and repeatedly included in the Georgia Trend “Legal Elite,” and repeatedly listed as an Atlanta Magazine “Super Lawyer®,” “Top 100 Georgia Super Lawyer®,” and “Top 50 Female Georgia Super Lawyer®.” She was selected for inclusion among The Black Lawyers “Top 100” and named to the “Rainmakers” list by Diversity & the Bar. She is regularly quoted in the media as a leading practitioner in her field.
After spending over 18 years at Sutherland, where she was an equity partner, a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, and co-leader of the business litigation and labor and employment groups, Allegra co-founded Lawrence & Bundy LLC. The litigation firm Lawrence & Bundy delivers the results clients demand. With innovative problem solving and creative fee arrangements, the firm provides agile, effective, efficient solutions for clients nationwide. Since its inception, the firm has been ranked a “Best Law Firm” in the yearly edition of U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers. Lawrence & Bundy represents an array of clients across the United States from offices in Atlanta, GA, and Washington, D.C.
Education
Professional and Community Activities
Member, Election Law Advisory Committee, American Bar Association
Co-Chair, Professional Success Summit, Litigation Section, American Bar Association
Member, The American Employment Law Council
Board of Advisors, American Constitution Society, Georgia Lawyer Chapter
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Director, Executive Committee of the Independent School Chairpersons Association
Chair, Board of Trustees, Atlanta Girls’ School
Commissioner, ABA’s Committee on the Lawyers’ Role in Assuring Every Child’s Right to a High-Quality Education
Member, Board of Directors, Georgia Legal Services Foundation
Member, Board of Governors, State Bar of Georgia
Member, Board of Directors, Leadership Institute for Women of Color in Law and Business
Member, Board of Directors, Zoo Atlanta
Executive Committee Member, Board of Directors, Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Member, American Inns of Court (Bleckley Inn)
Member, Gate City Bar Association
Member, Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL)
Member, Labor and Employment Section, American Bar Association
Member, National Bar Association
Appointee, Mayor’s Transition Team
Appointee, Georgia Supreme Court’s Commission on Access and Fairness in the Courts
Appointee, Mayor’s Living Wage Commission
Appointee, Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism
Appointee, Georgia Supreme Court’s Commission on Domestic Violence
Graduate, Leadership Atlanta
Graduate, Leadership Georgia
Former Member, Leadership, Litigation Section, American Bar Association
Past Member, Corporate Council, Fernbank Museum
Past President, Atlanta Legal Diversity Consortium (ALDC)
Past President, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA)
Former Member, Board of Directors, Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Former Chair, Women and Minorities in the Profession Committee, State Bar of Georgia
Former Executive Committee Member, Board of Directors, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta
Past Member, Board of Directors, Atlanta Community Food Bank
Awards and Rankings
Georgia Trailblazer, Daily Report
Women Making a Mark, Atlanta Magazine
Chairman’s Award, Democratic Party of Georgia
Named leading Labor and Employment Partner, Benchmark Litigation – Labor & Employment
Recipient, Seth Kirschenbaum Diversity Award, Multi-Bar Leadership Council
Selected for Inclusion Among The Black Lawyers “Top 100” in Business Labor and Employment Law
Recognized as Attorney of the Month by Attorney at Law Magazine
Named to the “Rainmakers” List by Diversity & the Bar for Having an Established Record of Generating Business
Honoree, Most Influential Black Lawyers, Savoy
Repeatedly Selected as a Georgia Local Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation
Repeatedly Recognized by Chambers USA: Guide to Leading Business Lawyers
Repeatedly Named to The Best Lawyers in America in the Area of Litigation – Labor and Employment, Commercial Litigation and Employment Law – Management
Recipient, Chief Justice Leah Sears Award for Distinction in the Profession
Recipient, Community Service Award, National Alumnae Association of Spelman College
Recipient, Commitment to Equality Award, State Bar of Georgia
Recipient, Gate City Bar Foundation’s A.T. Walden Outstanding Lawyer Award
Recipient, Spirit of the Bench and Bar Award, Black Law Students Association, Georgia State University School of Law
Recipient, “Women Worth Watching” Award, Profiles in Diversity Journal
Selected for Inclusion Among “Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence,” Atlanta Business League
Repeatedly Selected for Inclusion in Georgia Super Lawyers® “Top 50 Female Georgia Super Lawyers” and “Top 100 Georgia Super Lawyers”
Recognized as One of the National Bar Association and IMPACT’s 2011 Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40
Selected as an “Unsung Heroine” by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter
Named among “40 Under 40 Up & Comers” by Atlanta Business Chronicle
Recipient, Pro Bono Publico Award, Legal Aid Society
Named among the “Legal Elite” by Georgia Trend Magazine
Named among “Atlanta’s 25 Power Women to Watch” by Atlanta Woman Magazine
Honored as One of the Top 16 Lawyers Under 40 in the State of Georgia by the Fulton County
Named one of Georgia’s “Women of the Year” for Law and Justice by Women Looking Ahead Magazine
Honored by The Daily Report in its Annual “On the Rise” issue
Publications/Articles
Top 10 Employer Resolutions for 2020 (January 1, 2020) – Law360
#MeToo Today: The Evolution of the Movement and Practical Tips for Employers (October 10, 2019) – Corporate Compliance Insights
Top 10 Employer Resolutions for 2019 (January 9, 2019) – Law360
Top 10 Employer Resolutions for 2018 (January 9, 2018) – Law360
Top 10 Employer Resolutions for 2017 (January 3, 2017) – Law360
Charting a Course through the FMLA, ADA & Workers Compensation (September 27, 2017) – Corporate Compliance Insights
Top 10 Employer Resolutions for 2016 (January 12, 2016) – Law360
Judgment Call (May 2015) – Best’s Review
Integrating the Cultures and Employment Laws of Your Multinational Workforce in the Global Economy (April 2015) – ACC Docket
Top Resolutions Employers Should Make and Keep in 2015 (February 4, 2015) – Law360
Redial: 2014 TCPA Year in Review – Analysis of Critical Issues and Trends (January 29, 2015)
Lean In, But Don’t Blend In (October 14, 2014) – New York Law Journal
BYOD and Social Media: An Employer’s Perspective (August 2014) – Financier Worldwide
10 Important Aspects of the CFTC Whistleblower Program (June 3, 2014) – Law360
Bring Your Own Device, Don’t Bring Your Own Drama (February 11, 2014) – Corporate Counsel
Top 10 Employer Resolutions For The New Year (January 8, 2014) – Law360
Non-Unionized Employers: The NLRB Commands Your Attention (Spring 2013) – Partnering Perspectives
Enforceability of Class Action Waivers in Employment Arbitration Agreements Post-Concepcion (Spring 2013) – Partnering Perspectives
Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Issues for Employers (Spring 2013) – Partnering Perspectives
Is Your Social Media Policy Current? Timely Reasons to Update Your Policy Now (Fall 2012) – Partnering Perspectives
Five Timely Reasons To Update Your Social Media Policy (July 17, 2012) – Law360
‘Like’ It Or Not: Broker-Dealers And Social Media Access (June 28, 2012) – Law360
Saving with Settlement Classes (November 2011) – Reprinted with permission Employment Law360 and Class Action Law360 (November 2011)
Blowing the Whistle: New SEC Rules Set the Stage for Increased Reporting of Potential Securities Law Violations (September/ October 2011) – Reprinted with permission from Practical Compliance & Risk Management For The Securities Industry
SEC’s Whistle-Blower Rules Effective Soon: What Employers Need to Know Now (July 25, 2011) – HR Magazine
The ‘New Normal’ In ESI Preservation Duties: Part 2 (February 9, 2011) – Reprinted with permission from Law360
The ‘New Normal’ In ESI Preservation Duties: Part 1 (February 2, 2011) – Reprinted with permission from Law360
Raising the Stakes: Effective ‘Internal’ Whistle- Blowing Programs are Essential in the Dodd- Frank Era (January 11, 2011) – Reprinted with permission from Westlaw Journal Employment
Good News for Experts (And Attorneys Who Use Them) (November 29, 2010) – Reprinted with permission from Employment Law360
Clarity or Chaos? Ashcroft v. Iqbal One Year Later (September 2010) – Reprinted with permission Bloomberg Law Reports – Federal Practice
Safeguarding Trade Secrets Before, During and After a Reduction in Force (Summer 2010) – Partnering Perspectives
Safeguarding Your Employees Personal Data: How to Protect Employees, Your Company’s Reputation, and the Bottom Line (April 5, 2010) – Reprinted with permission Bloomberg Law Reports – Labor & Employment
Navigating the Waters of Alternative Fee Arrangements: Three Tips for Smooth Sailing (Spring 2010) – Reprinted with permission The Woman Advocate and the American Bar Association
Case Study: Arrigo V. Blue Fish (February 22, 2010) – Law360
Inside the Minds: Trends, Legislation, and Cases That Will Impact Employment Law in 2010 (January 2010) – Reprinted with permission Employment Law 2010 (©2010 Thomson Reuters/Aspatore Books)
Gain Leverage with a 30(b)(6) Deposition (August 10, 2009) – Reprinted with permission from Bloomberg Law Reports
First 100 days and labor law (May 1, 2009) – Reprinted with permission from Daily Report
Safeguarding Trade Secrets Before, During and After a Reduction in Force (April 7, 2009) – Reprinted with permission from Employment Litigation Reporter
Awaiting Change: How the New President May Revolutionize the Face of Business Litigation (January 29, 2009) – Reprinted with permission Daily Report
Availability of Arbitration for Sarbanes- Oxley Whistle-Blower Claims (October 7, 2008) – Reprinted with permission Employment Litigation Reporter
U.S. Supreme Court Allows Retaliation Claims Under Section 1981 (June 2008) – Reprinted with permission Lorman Education Services Legal Update Newsletters
Offers of Judgment Ease Pain of SOX (May 2008) – Reprinted with permission Legal Times
Whistle-Blower Actions Under Sarbanes- Oxley (September 2007) – Reprinted with permission Employment Litigation Reporter
Selected Presentations
Add U.S. Supreme Court Cases of Interest (October 8, 2020) The Seminar Group’s 17th Annual Labor and Employment Law CLE
#MeToo Today: The Evolution of the Movement and Practical Tips for Employers (October 10, 2019) The Seminar Group’s 16th Annual Labor & Employment Law CLE
Navigating the Bermuda Triangle: The FMLA, ADA and Workers’ Compensation (February 26, 2019) Masterbuilt®|Kamado Joe®
Emerging Employment Issues (December 13, 2018) Corporate Counsel Institute
Case Law Updates (October 10, 2018) The Seminar Group’s 15th Annual Labor & Employment CLE
Georgia Department of Labor Law Updates (August 15, 2018) Georgia Women CPAs, Inc.
Navigating the Bermuda Triangle: the FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation (October 2017) Corporate Counsel Institute
Class Action Waivers: Boon or Bane (June 2017) The Seminar Group
Social Etiquette (March 15, 2017) Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys’ (GABWA) Professional Development Academy
Litigation Success & Longevity: Effective Team Management (November 15, 2016) American Bar Association – Section of Litigation
Rightful Discharge & Retaliation (October 27, 2016) The Seminar Group’s 13th Annual Labor & Employment Law Seminar
BYOD & Social Media in the Workplace: Managing Privacy and Legal Risks for Employers. (October 18, 2016) The Knowledge Group/Knowledge Congress
Diversity in Corporate Law: The Imperative to Depart from Business as Usual (September 17, 2016) Harvard Law School’s Celebration of Black Alumni
Leveraging Our Collective Power (August 27, 2016) GABWA
Mobile Communications Marketing: Is Your Firm TCPA-Compliant? (August 23, 2016) The Knowledge Group/Knowledge Congress
Effective Use of Rule 30(b)(6) in Litigation (July 12, 2016) The Knowledge Group/Knowledge Congres
BYOD, Mobile Devices & e-Discovery: Practical Tips to Take Advantage of Opportunities and Manage Challenges (June 23, 2016) The Knowledge Group/Knowledge Congress
Alternative Fee Arrangements: Opportunities and Legal Challenges (April 20, 2016) The Knowledge Group/Knowledge Congress
Mobile Data and BYOD: Mitigating eDiscovery and Data Breach Risks (April 4, 2016) The Knowledge Group/Knowledge Congress
Servant Leadership (February 27, 2016) Golden Key International Honour Society
Billable Hour No More? Increased Use of Alternative Fee Arrangements in Litigation in 2016 and Beyond (February 18, 2016) The Knowledge Group/Knowledge Congress
Continuing Challenges and Opportunities Women Lawyers Face Today (February 10, 2016) Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia
Webcast: Corporate Wellness Program 101: What Your Firm Needs to Know (December 10, 2015) The Knowledge Group
Corporate Social Responsibility (December 3, 2015) Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta Holiday Luncheon
Leveraging Authenticity (October 13, 2015) Association of Corporate Counsel – Georgia Chapter
Dealing with the “High Maintenance” Employee (October 8, 2015) The Seminar Group’s 12th Annual Labor & Employment Law Program
Law School for Legal Marketers – A Dive Into Transactional and Litigation Principles (September 16, 2015) Legal Marketing Association
Trial Strategies (August 14, 2015) Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys’ (GABWA) Trial Masters Boot Camp
Defending Rule 30(b)(6) Corporate Depositions (May 27, 2015) Strafford Webinars
False Claims Act and Whistleblowers: What In-House Counsel Wants to Know (April 22, 2015) National Employment Law Council’s 2015 Conference
BYOD and Social Media: An Employer’s Perspective (April 21, 2015) ACC Georgia Value Challenge
Law Firm Economics 101 (March 26, 2015) The Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys, Inc.
Webinar: Top 10 Employer Resolutions for 2015 (February 19, 2015)
Addressing Whistleblower Issues (October 24, 2014) ICLE Georgia – 22nd Annual Securities Litigation and Regulatory Practice Seminar
Winning Strategies for the Trial Lawyer (July 30, 2014) The National Bar Association
Opening Statements, Direct Examination Cross Examination, Closing Arguments (April 9, 2014) ABA Litigation Institute for Trial Training
Building Your Civil Trial Skills – A Defense’s View on How to Present an Effective Case at Trial (November 21, 2013) National Business Institute
Financial Services Industry Regulatory Compliance Ethics Forum – “The SEC’s Whistleblower Rules” (October 30, 2013) Practising Law Institute
Top 10 Tips to Navigate the Unwritten Rules in Your Workplace (September 16, 2013) Minority Corporate Counsel Association
Minimizing Your Litigation Costs in 2013 (August 1, 2013) The Knowledge Congress Webcast
There’s a Hole in My Pipeline: Redefining the Role of Law Firms, Corporations, and Law Schools in Pipeline Programming (April 24, 2013) NALP 2013 Annual Education Conference
On the Couch: An Interview with Teresa Wynn Roseborough, Esq. (March 27, 2013) The Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys, Inc.
Proceed with Caution: Avoiding Pitfalls & Perils in Internal Investigations (November 8, 2012) NAWL General Counsel Institute
Employment Laws Made Simple – If You’re Prepared to Be Sued, You’re Less Likely To Be Sued (April 25, 2012) National Business Institute Seminar
The Relationship between the ADA, FMLA, Worker’s Comp and School Board Leave Policies (December 1, 2011) Georgia Council of School Board Attorneys 2011 E. Freeman Leverett Law Seminar
The Intersection of Social Networking and Litigation (November 4, 2010) NAWL Sixth Annual General Counsel Institute: Managing Through Change: The New Normal
Standing Out in the Crowd: Effective Ways to Manage Assignments and Internal/External Clients (April 23, 2009) K&L Gates & CCWC® One-Day Career Strategies Conference for Law Firm Associates
The New Look of Diversity – Advising Business Clients on the Evolution in Diversity Initiatives (October 17, 2008 – October 18, 2008)
Mandatory Arbitration Provisions in Employment Agreements (March 15, 2006) Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) 5th Annual CLE Expo
