Laura F. Dumas

"I am at my best when designing overarching litigation strategy using substantive law and civil procedural tools to determine the most expedient and effective way forward for my client – whether through initial claims filing, favorable case settlement, an all-out trial, or on appeal – and everything in between."

Civil litigator Laura Dumas resolves complex commercial and civil disputes across a variety of subject matters in both state and federal courts. She has successfully handled various trade secret, mass tort, shareholder derivative, real estate, and oil and gas claims – on attack or defense, whether in large-scale, multi-district litigation actions in the courtroom, or in an alternative dispute resolution forum such as arbitration or mediation.  

A Certified Mediator herself, Laura has successfully resolved major cases in both mediation and arbitration. She is known for creating a tactical advantage for those she serves by leveraging the many nuances of civil procedure and applied legal theory and balancing these legal considerations with specific case facts and salient practical considerations, such as the client’s ultimate goals and risk tolerance. 

Laura has managed myriad commercial disputes, ranging from construction defects and all manner of real estate disputes to securities fraud, negligence, professional malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty and maritime disputes. She has handled commercial litigation claims at all levels of complexity, monetary value, and risk.  

Laura’s approach to litigation is designed to protect her client's best interests in the most cost-effective and expeditious manner. She has realized exemplary results across many high-value, commercial litigation disputes and led significant victories at trial and arbitration, including a seven-figure arbitration award—complete with a recovery of all attorneys’ fees—in a multi-year dispute between a corporation and a senior executive. 

In addition, Laura won a defense verdict for a building owner in a construction litigation trial and obtained pre-trial dismissal of a multi-million-dollar personal injury suit against a large residential real estate brokerage. She has also successfully negotiated multiple settlements, both informally through discussions with opposing parties and formally through mediation – all with a consistent focus on a practical and expedient resolution for her clients. 

A creative advocate who is tireless in her approach to realizing the right result, Laura’s pragmatism is valued by everyone around her. She does not believe in fighting just for the sake of fighting and works with her clients to employ dispute resolution tactics that conserve their time and resources and make sense for their business. A trusted advisor who is relatable, persuasive, and credible, Laura is a dedicated and formidable advocate who believes in leading with fact and sound legal theory rather than melodrama and needless acrimony – among the many reasons she enjoys longevity in her client relationships. 

Prior to joining Kean Miller, Laura served as head of the litigation practice group and managing counsel for a Texas commercial law firm and as a litigation attorney for a long-standing and well-respected California commercial law firm. Both during and after law school, Laura worked as a Teaching Assistant and later as an Adjunct Professor of Appellate Advocacy at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. While in law school, Laura also interned at the San Francisco Public Defender's Office.  

Before becoming a lawyer, Laura worked as an in-house paralegal for Harley-Davidson Financial Services and for a small firm in Massachusetts that was founded by one of the first women alumna from Boston University School of Law. She also served as a Benefits Specialist for Fidelity Investments in Massachusetts. 

Today, Laura brings her collective and varied experience and earned intellectual acumen and people skills to overcoming even the most difficult obstacles to progress and/or solving even the most cumbersome or unique client problems.