At her level (equity partner at a large firm), her hourly rate is extremely high (often $1,200+/hour). Smaller companies or startups may find her cost-prohibitive. Additionally, some GCs (general counsels) note that her seniority means she delegates much of the document review and deposition prep to associates, with limited direct engagement until trial or key motions.
While she can try cases, her real value is assessing a case’s risk early. Clients report she is blunt about weaknesses in the company’s position and can negotiate a low-cost settlement before discovery becomes expensive. This saves corporations hundreds of thousands in litigation costs. diane stupar hughes
Diane Stupar Hughes is a top-tier, no-nonsense management-side trial lawyer best suited for bet-the-company employment litigation. She is not for routine HR advice or budget-conscious clients. Her weaknesses are typical of her tier—cost and limited plaintiff-side empathy—but her trial record and strategic judgment are elite. If you are an employer facing a six- or seven-figure employment claim, she is a safe pair of hands. If you are an employee, you want to settle before she files a motion to dismiss. At her level (equity partner at a large
She has successfully defeated class certification in wage-and-hour claims (e.g., misclassification of managers as overtime-exempt). Her motions to deny class status are cited as methodical, using economic and factual data rather than just legal technicalities. While she can try cases, her real value