Leah Hennessey joined Ropes & Gray’s litigation department in 2024. Prior to joining the firm, Leah graduated from Suffolk University Law School’s night program, where she earned multiple awards for her oral advocacy skills while simultaneously excelling professionally as a global compliance internal investigator at a pharmaceutical company.
During law school, Leah was a member of Suffolk University’s National Moot Court Team, a property law teaching assistant, and a research assistant regarding the constitutionality of AI facial recognition software. She also served as vice president of the Health and Biomedical Law Society Executive Board and as a legal innovation and technology fellow and student attorney for the Suffolk University Health Law Clinic, which advocates for clients with mental and physical disabilities in matters regarding adult guardianship, supported decision-making, and Social Security disability.
Prior to law school, Leah worked as a litigation paralegal at Ropes & Gray.
Experience
Civil Litigation
- Represented a global medical device company responding to a Second Request from the FTC and in a subsequent lawsuit.
- Successfully settled a lab‑space real estate dispute following favorable rulings on pre‑trial motions.
- Routinely advised investment firm in anticipation of litigation for breach of contract and fraud claims.
Government and Internal Investigations
- Conducts independent third‑party reviews and internal investigations for corporate and institutional clients.
- Assisted in high-profile independent investigation into abuse of athletes within a national sports organization.
Pro Bono
- Advised non-profit on policies and procedures for responding to ICE presence at facilities.
- Collaborated with immigrant rights organization on training and advising social service providers at hospitals, shelters and other organizations on humanitarian immigration law including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SJIS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
- Advised clients on immigration consequences of budget reconciliation bill.
- Routinely trained and advised internal attorneys on political asylum matters.