Leah Schultz is an experienced trial attorney who represents companies in complex commercial cases. Her practice spans breach of contract, tort, statutory, and regulatory matters, with significant experience in the energy, construction, transportation, and health care sectors. Leah regularly represents clients in both court and arbitration proceedings, including high-stakes, fact-intensive disputes involving operational failures, supply and delivery issues, mass casualties, and allegations of trade secret misappropriation.
Leah has served as a key member of trial teams in multi-issue disputes and is trusted to handle all phases of litigation — from early fact development and case strategy through dispositive motions, expert discovery, and trial preparation. Her experience includes drafting and arguing complex motions, taking and defending depositions, managing large-scale discovery, and working closely with fact and expert witnesses to develop and present testimony in arbitration and at trial. Clients rely on Leah as a steady, hands-on litigator who can step in wherever a case demands attention.
In addition to her commercial practice, Leah maintains an active pro bono practice focused on reproductive rights. She has successfully argued pre-suit evidentiary hearings resulting in dismissal with prejudice of all claims and has prevailed arguing multiple discovery disputes involving the privilege against self-incrimination.
Leah graduated with honors from Emory University School of Law, where she served as Executive Notes and Comments Editor of the Emory International Law Review and received the National Association of Women Lawyers Award for Academic Achievement, Integrity, and Commitment to Women in the Profession. Before joining Arnold & Porter, she served as a collegiate debate coach for the Harvard University Debate Council. Leah remains actively involved in intercollegiate debate and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the National Debate Tournament.
Experience
- Successfully represented, reaching a judgment in its favor as to all claims, an international chemical manufacturer in a confidential arbitration trial involving breach of contract and tort claims against a subcontractor.
- Representing a midstream energy company in breach of contract disputes in Texas state courts and arbitrations arising from gas delivery issues during Winter Storm Uri.
- Successfully represented the owner of a power generation facility in litigation against a contractor for defective work causing significant infrastructure damage, resulting in a confidential settlement.
- Representing an oil and gas processing company in breach of contract dispute regarding a licensing agreement.
- Successfully represented a regional hospital in federal antitrust litigation, securing dismissal of all claims on summary judgment.
- Successfully represented an international cruise line in wrongful death and personal injury litigation arising from the White Island volcanic eruption, resulting in a confidential settlement.
- Successfully challenged personal jurisdiction and defeated class certification on behalf of a community development financial institution in litigation involving Paycheck Protection Program loans.
- Successfully represented an energy manufacturer in a confidential arbitration involving breach of contract and trade secret claims regarding a confidential settlement.
- Successfully represented a national insurance company in litigation involving alleged breach of contract and Texas Insurance Code claims reaching a confidential settlement.
- Successfully represented a national energy company in a multimillion-dollar supply contract dispute resolved through confidential arbitration.
Perspectives
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Emory University School of Law, 2018, with honors
- M.A., Communication, Wake Forest University, 2014
- B.A., Political Science, History, Gonzaga University, 2012
Admissions
- Texas
- Georgia
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Activities
- Board of Trustees, National Debate Tournament, (2024-Present)
- Board of Directors, Houston Urban Debate League (2022-2025)