Fishman Haygood, L.L.P.
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Molly L. Wells

Partner

Partner

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Practice Focus

Appellate Group Class Actions/Mass Actions/MDLs International Arbitration Ponzi/Banking Schemes Real Estate Litigation

About

Molly Wells represents plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial litigation and arbitration matters, with experience spanning contract disputes, unfair trade practices, securities and antitrust litigation, common-law aiding and abetting claims, and mineral law disputes. She is known for her careful attention to detail and strategic approach to resolving sophisticated business disputes both before and during litigation.

Most notably, she was counsel to investors defrauded in R. Allen Stanford’s $7 billion Ponzi scheme in their lawsuit against five banks alleged to have aided and abetted or knowingly participated in the scheme. Settlements totaling $1.6 billion were reached with the bank defendants on the eve of trial.

Molly is also a member of the firm’s international arbitration team, representing claimant companies in disputes arising under bilateral investment treaties. She currently represents Turkish construction company Akgun Insaat Makina Sanayii ve Dis Ticaret Ltd. Sti in an arbitration against the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia under the Turkey-Ethiopia BIT. The matter was tried at the Peace Palace in The Hague and remains pending before the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Experience

  • Represented individuals and the Official Stanford Investor’s Committee against five banks, with particular concentration on claims against Trustmark National Bank and Independent Bank of Texas (formerly known as Bank of Houston), in a lawsuit alleging the banks’ aiding and abetting of the $7 billion Ponzi scheme perpetrated by R. Allen Stanford; settlements of $100 million were reached with both Trustmark and Bank of Houston in early 2023, with total recoveries from all five bank defendants (The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Société Générale Private Banking (Suisse) S.A., HSBC Bank plc, Trustmark, and Bank of Houston) amounting to more than $1.6 billion.
  • Represents commercial contractors in confidential international arbitrations arising out of large-scale infrastructure and industrial development projects.
  • Represented a contractor providing online services for universities in arbitration against a university who breached the parties’ agreement.
  • Represented Louisiana landowners in a lawsuit against Motiva arising from multi-million dollar lease dispute involving underground storage caverns mined in a salt dome.
  • Represented a New Orleans shopping center in lawsuits to enforce commercial leases.
  • Represented an equipment rental company against class allegations of breach of contract and unfair trade practices.

Professional Activities & Community Involvement

Recognitions

Media

  • Author, “Balancing Policy Goals in the Cable Industry After the Expiration of the Exclusive Contract Prohibition,” 88 Tul. L. Rev. 127, 2013.
  • Moderator, “Who, What, and Where: Enforcement Involving Latin American Arbitration Awards,” International Chamber of Commerce Young Arbitration and ADR Forum, Nov. 13, 2024.
  • Panelist, “Pathways to Becoming a Class Action Practitioner,” University of Miami School of Law 8th Annual Class Action & Complex Litigation Forum, Jan. 25, 2024.
  • Speaker, “Surviving Depositions and Cross-Examinations,” Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants 2022 Forensic, Litigation & Valuation Services Conference, Oct. 2022.

Credentials

  • J.D., summa cum laude, from Tulane University Law School, 2014
    • Managing Editor of the Tulane Law Review
    • Order of the Coif
  • B.A., cum laude, from University of Richmond, 2005
  • Clerk to the Honorable Carl J. Barbier of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, 2014-2015
  • Louisiana

Notable Rankings

2026 Benchmark Litigation Future Star sealSuper Lawyers Rising Star Badge for Molly Wells