Diana Conner is a Partner in the firm’s Litigation department.  Her practice focuses on complex commercial litigation before both trial and appellate courts.  Ms. Conner represents clients on a variety of high-stakes disputes, including matters involving financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and media companies.  Ms. Conner also has a robust pro bono practice, including civil rights and criminal cases.  Prior to joining Patterson Belknap, Ms. Conner served as a law clerk to the Hon. Colleen McMahon of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Representative Matters

Representation of financial guaranty insurers in suits against banks that sponsored and originated residential mortgage-backed securities, including on appeal to the New York Appellate Division and the New York Court of Appeals.  One such matter resulted in a $1.8 billion settlement in favor of our client.

Representation of a major medical device company in a multibillion-dollar dispute concerning alleged breaches of a merger agreement relating to a surgical robotics company.

Representation of a pharmaceutical company in an arbitration concerning alleged breaches of a vaccine manufacturing agreement.

Representation of investors in trust instructional proceedings concerning the proper distribution of funds to holders of residential mortgage-backed securities, including on appeal to the New York Appellate Division.

Representation of a major media company in a suit alleging breach of an agreement concerning the production of a reality television show.

Representation of a large auto parts manufacturer in a contractual dispute relating to electric vehicles.

Representation of a not-for-profit foundation in civil asset forfeiture proceedings and in related lawsuits brought under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, including on appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Pro Bono

Represented Islamic society asserting violations of its civil rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and obtained landmark ruling under that statute.

Representation of client in appeal of burglary conviction to the New York Appellate Division and the New York Court of Appeals.

Representation of youthful offenders seeking to avoid burdensome court fees on the basis of their financial hardship.

Representation of client in administrative proceeding to seal records concerning unfounded allegations of child neglect.

Bar Admissions

• U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York 
• New York
• District of Columbia

Education

• Stanford Law School (J.D., 2012)
  • Gerald Gunther Prize
• Georgia Institute of Technology (B.S., 2008)

Professional Activities and Experience

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: Presenter, "Annual Post-Conviction Capital Defense Training Program," New York City Bar Association CLE Program (July 25, 2017)