Meaghan VerGow is a litigator who assists clients with complex commercial litigation and class actions at the trial and appellate levels. She also counsels clients on legal, policy, and regulatory matters. Meaghan’s areas of focus include ERISA, health care, administrative law, insurance law, federal jurisdiction and preemption, constitutional law, data security and privacy, and securities law.
A member of the firm’s Financial Services and Appellate Practices, Meaghan has filed many briefs in the US Supreme Court, and many more in the federal courts of appeals, federal district courts, and state trial and appellate courts.
Before joining O’Melveny, Meaghan served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Merrick B. Garland on the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit and for the Honorable David H. Souter on the Supreme Court of the United States.
Meaghan represents financial service companies, banks, insurers, health care payors, and a variety of Fortune 500 companies across different sectors. She brings keen analysis and creative thinking to every engagement, helping clients effectively resolve their most difficult problems.
Meaghan has a robust pro bono practice. She has co-authored numerous briefs on behalf of indigent clients, counseled a local government on a major policy initiative, and obtained asylum for a young girl.
She co-authored the Supreme Court briefs that culminated in a unanimous victory in favor of the client in Abuelhawa v. United States, 556 U.S. 816 (2009).
Experience:
- Representing a financial services company in a putative class action challenging the investment management of a stable value fund under ERISA
- Defending a health services company against an ERISA challenge to its 401(k) plan investment offerings
- Representing a 401(k) plan service provider in an excessive fee challenge under ERISA
- Defending a financial services company against ERISA claims challenging 401(k) plan investment selections
- Representing a large utility client in Supreme Court and on remand in ERISA litigation challenging 401(k) plan offerings
- Representing a national health care payor in multi-forum litigation challenging a popular insurance program under state law
- Defended a consumer finance company in putative class action in state court challenging nationwide leasing practices
- Represented an ESOP fiduciary in the district court and on appeal in a “stock drop” class action brought under ERISA
- Represented a global aerospace & defense client against ERISA claims challenging plan fees, structure, and investment choices
- Defended the fiduciaries of a financial institution against alleged ERISA fiduciary duty and prohibited transaction violations in the offering of affiliated investment vehicles and services through in-house plans
- Successfully defended an investment management provider and affiliates against ERISA claims challenging administrative and investment-management fees for 401(k) plans
- Obtained significant precedential appellate victory for a health services corporation in a suit implicating Medicare Part D preemption and exhaustion, resulting in wholesale dismissal
- After securing reinstatement of the client’s claims on appeal, developed the legal strategy for a contract and fraud action brought by a multinational insurance company that concluded with a multi-million dollar settlement in the client’s favor
Admissions:
- District of Columbia
- New York
- US Supreme Court
- US Courts of Appeals, First, Second, Third, Fifth, District of Columbia, and Federal Circuits
- US District Court, Colorado and District of Columbia
Education:
- Harvard University, J.D.: magna cum laude; Articles Editor, Harvard Law Review
- Columbia University, B.A., Biochemistry and History
Clerkships:
- Honorable David H. Souter, US Supreme Court
- Honorable Merrick B. Garland, US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Member:
- Military Spouse JD Network
- DC Circuit Advisory Committee on Admissions and Grievances
Cost
Rate : $$$