Ashleigh J. F. Lynn
Partner
AJ has extensive experience counseling clients in a variety of industries and sectors, including cybersecurity, sports and entertainment, financial services, international trade, nonprofit, healthcare, life sciences, and technology. AJ has also assisted clients in standing up and updating information management and data retention programs.
Because no two clients or conflicts are the same, AJ leverages her diverse experience to craft strategies and marshal resources that are best suited to the client’s priorities in the context of the issue at hand.
AJ serves as the Maryland co-chair and has served as the New York co-chair for WAVe (Women Attorneys at Venable). An active community member, AJ also serves on the board of directors of Special Olympics Maryland, Women’s Law Center, and SNF Parkway/Maryland Film Festival and on the Council for the Maryland State Bar Association Litigation Section. AJ is also dedicated to pro bono service and has been recognized by Venable, Tahirih Justice Center, Public Justice Center, The Daily Record, and the District of Columbia Courts for the impact of her pro bono work and her leadership in the community.
Related Practices
Experience
Experience
Representative Matters
- Defeated an $8 million breach of contract suit by satellite bandwidth supplier against a prime contractor. Helped secure a complete victory on all claims and fee shifting in excess of $1.5 million (Hawaii Pacific Teleport, LP v. Peraton Government Communications, Inc.) (International Court of Arbitration No. 24178/MK) (confirmation proceedings D. Hawaii 2020)
- Secured a favorable settlement on behalf of a vendor of advanced technology in a breach of contract and breach of warranty dispute
- Defended an international technology company in a multi-million-dollar breach of contract dispute regarding complex software, securing a settlement that resolved all claims against the client and ensuring the client’s retention of a substantial portion of the paid purchase price
- Defended a large pharmaceutical manufacturer in an arbitration over a $2 million breach of contract claim, defeating the claim and recovering $4.35 million on counterclaim
- Obtained a preliminary injunction for a large defense contractor under the Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act regarding trade secrets shared during a teaming agreement involving the receiving party’s failure to firewall employees with knowledge
- Represented an 8(a) government contractor in a business conspiracy case involving allegations of a breached teaming agreement, misappropriation of trade secrets, and violation of restrictive covenants
- Secured a confidential settlement against a competitor in a trade secret misappropriation case
- Obtained a dismissal of putative consumer class action against energy supply companies alleging violations of state consumer protection and false advertising laws arising out of the suppliers’ respective variable-rate advertising and marketing practices
- Defended a pharmaceutical company in antitrust class action litigation brought by direct purchasers, end payors, and retailers involving allegations arising from patent litigation involving generic drug products. (In re Opana Antitrust Litigation)
- Defended a generic pharmaceutical company against a class action and individual antitrust claims arising from settlement of patent litigation involving generic drug products (In re Solodyn Antitrust Litigation)
- Defended a regional bank in a securities class action case
- Defended multiple employers against claims related to employee or contractor negligence
- Negotiated favorable resolutions of various sponsorship contract disputes
- Represented companies in Section 301 tariff litigation
- Counseled corporations and nonprofit organizations in developing comprehensive and effective information governance policies
Insights
Insights
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- J.D. Boston University School of Law 2010
- Honors in Litigation and Dispute Resolution Concentration
- Judicial intern, the Honorable Deborah K. Chasanow of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland; the Honorable Marvin J. Garbis of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland; and the Honorable William G. Connelly of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- B.A. International Relations Claremont McKenna College 2007
Bar Admissions
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
- New York
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- Court of International Trade
Clerk Experience
- The Honorable Christopher B. Kehoe Maryland Court of Special Appeals 2010 - 2012
Professional Memberships and Activities
- Treasurer, Litigation Section Council, Maryland State Bar Association
- Member, New York Bar Association
- Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
- Member, Baltimore City Bar Association
- Member, DRI
- Graduate, Executive Alliance Effective Impact Mentoring Program
- Past member, Young Lawyers' Roundtable (organization now defunct)
Recognition
Recognition
- Venable LLP, Benjamin R. Civiletti Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year, 2016
- Tahirih Justice Center, Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Baltimore, 2016
- Public Justice Center, recognized for her commitment to pro bono services, 2018
- The Daily Record
- Business Law Power List, 2024
- Leading Women, 2022
- Generation JD Award, 2021
- District of Columbia Courts, Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2017 – 2019, 2022 – 2023
- High honors, 2018
Community
Community
Pro Bono
- Represents victims of domestic violence at protective order hearings through the House of Ruth, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and supportive services to victims of domestic violence
- Represents immigrant women and girls seeking asylum in the United States from gender-based violence through the Tahirih Justice Center, a nonprofit organization that assists these victims. Led a team that achieved a hard-fought grant of asylum for a client referred by the organization
- Provided substantial pro bono counsel to the Public Justice Center, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the Assistance Center of Towson Churches
- Secured asylum on behalf of a doctor from the Gambia in a particularly complicated fear of future harm case
- Secured a favorable settlement in a civil rights action brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against municipality and correctional officers for excessive use of force
- Leads multi-organization team that investigates debtors’ prisons in Arkansas, presents findings to local stakeholders and decision makers, and works with local organizations to address the criminalization of poverty
Volunteerism
- Secretary and member, Board of Directors, Special Olympics Maryland
- Member, Board of Directors, Women’s Law Center
- Executive Committee member-at-large and member, Board of Directors, SNF Parkway/Maryland Film Festival
- Past president, Board of Directors, Generation Hope – a nonprofit organization that provides direct scholarships and one-on-one mentoring to teenage parents who are attending college in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC
- Sponsor/Mentor, Generation Hope
- Mentor, McDonogh School Scholarship Mentor Program
Personal Activities
- Played varsity water polo for Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
- Played rugby for the Claremont Colleges and the Maryland Exiles
- Ravens fan who enjoys travel, hiking, snowboarding, camping, and kayaking