Teresa G. Akkara

Associate

Overview

Teresa Akkara represents clients in high-stakes appeals and complex commercial litigation. She brings valuable experience and strategic perspective to her cases, having briefed matters before the U.S. Supreme Court as well as the First, Third, Fourth, Seventh and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeal.

In addition to her appellate and critical motions practice, Teresa supports trial teams with theme development, high-level strategic planning, briefing and legal analysis. She has also delivered opening statements, examined witnesses and argued critical motions. At every phase of litigation, Teresa is trusted by clients to find creative ways to minimize litigation risk, advance business objectives and favorably shape the law.

Appellate Litigation

  • Argued a matter of first impression before the Third Circuit and successfully persuaded the court to extend the application of a seminal case.
  • Won on an issue of first impression before the Colorado Court of Appeals. The published opinion states that administrative determinations in workers’ compensation proceedings do not have preclusive effect in subsequent bad-faith cases and preserves employers’ ability to present complete defenses at trial.
  • Represented 190 state and local government officials in a U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief challenging the census citizenship question.
  • Defended states’ ability to regulate alcohol within state borders in the First, Fourth and Seventh Circuit Courts of Appeal.
  • Drafted sections of a U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief advocating against partisan gerrymandering.
  • Represented legal academics in an amicus brief on bankruptcy choice-of-law rules before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Commercial Litigation

  • Secured favorable settlement for major transportation company after filing motion to dismiss that prompted plaintiff to abandon three out of four claims.
  • Argued motion to compel in Southern District of New York and obtained favorable ruling for major appliance manufacturer.
  • Won successful resolution of complex commercial claims in arbitration before the International Chamber of Commerce.
  • Defeated class certification motions for a major transportation company facing billions of dollars in exposure in statewide wage-and-hour disputes.
  • Deposed plaintiffs in statewide wage-and-hour disputes and obtained admissions critical to defeating class certification.
  • Represented pharmaceutical company before the Delaware Chancery Court and obtained favorable resolution of pending claims.
  • Investigated antitrust issues presented by proposed mergers and advised clients on appropriate merger strategy.

Personal Interests

Outside of work, Teresa is a typical Coloradan, and spends her time hiking, skiing, rooting for the Nuggets and spoiling her dog. She also enjoys writing fiction and scuba-diving.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Colorado
New York

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico

Clerkships

Colorado Supreme Court, Hon. Carlos A. Samour, Jr., 2020-2021

Education

University of Pennsylvania Law School
J.D. cum laude, University of Pennsylvania Law Review (senior editor) (2018)

The College of New Jersey
B.A. in English and Philosophy, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa (2015)

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

  • Won complete defense verdict for elderly, low-income client following two-week jury trial.
  • Secured release of transgender clients incarcerated in New York correctional facilities.
  • Reviewed files of children detained by the Office of Refugee Resettlement and developed factual record.

Professional Associations

  • South Asian Bar Association — Secretary, 2021-present
  • Colorado Pledge to Diversity — 1L Program Co-chair, 2022-present
  • Colorado Appellate Pro Bono Program — Attorney Volunteer, 2022-present

Honors

  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2023
  • Legal Aid Society — Pro Bono Publico Award, 2021
  • Lawyers of Color — Hot List, 2022
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.
The Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP website uses cookies to make your browsing experience as useful as possible. In order to have the full site experience, keep cookies enabled on your web browser. By browsing our site with cookies enabled, you are agreeing to their use. Review Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP's cookies information for more details.