Ariel Cannon

Ariel Cannon is a first chair trial lawyer who represents companies and individuals, from many different industries, in trials and arbitrations. She also represents corporate boards and board committees in board and regulatory investigations, and counsels companies on compliance with regulatory and contractual obligations.

Ariel is well known for her expertise in employment matters, which are a significant part of her practice. She represents parties involved in disputes concerning non-competes and non-solicits, theft of trade secrets, misappropriation of confidential information, and executive compensation. She also investigates and defends claims of employment discrimination and other unlawful employment practices.

Ariel’s litigation practice often involves complex contractual issues. For example, she recently conducted a state court jury trial concerning claims for breach of contract involving an eight-figure insurance dispute. She counsels companies on contractual issues in a wide variety of industries, including healthcare, technology, insurance, and financial services.

Ariel began her legal career at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. During her years at Paul, Weiss, Ariel worked on several high-profile matters, including representing a financial services company in litigation concerning mutual funds and a financial institution in a class action employment discrimination lawsuit. She clerked for the Hon. Alfred M. Wolin, United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey.

Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, Compliance & Legal Society

American Bar Association

Association of the Bar of the City of New York

NY State Bar Association

National Association of Women Lawyers

Representative Matters:

-Advises a leading private equity firm and its affiliates on employment practices, restrictive covenant compliance, and hiring practices.

-​Advises and represents a new U.S. market entrant in matters related to hiring, restrictive covenant compliance, and U.S. employment practices.

​-Represents a healthcare technology firm in litigation related to alleged whistleblower retaliation.

-Represented a financial services company in litigation in multiple fora concerning the company’s deferred compensation plan.

-​Represented an investment bank in litigation arising out of executive “make whole” bonus.

​-Represented a demand committee of a board of directors in an investigation concerning alleged breaches of fiduciary duty and violations of federal securities laws. The board rejected the shareholders’ demand and the shareholders did not challenge the board’s action.​

-Conducted an investigation into allegations of improper use of company entertainment resources arising from a whistleblower complaint. DPK provided follow up advice and recommendations to a new team that redesigned the process for access to company-sponsored events.

​-Represented a senior executive in an arbitration concerning deferred compensation, securing multi-million dollar award.

University of Pennsylvania Law School; Editor, University of Pennsylvania Law Review

J.D. cum laude

New College

A.B.