Julia Strickland

Strickland likes to say she represents the places in your wallet - Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Discover, American Express.

Her firm, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, has predominantly represented large service companies. "We know the companies very well. Our relationship with the company predates the lawyers," said Strickland, who has been an attorney for more than 30 years. "(Clients) come to us because we truly are experts in the area. We know the industry and are both sensitive and conversant to the issues that are important to them."

Strickland defended JP Morgan Chase, Pay Pal and Discover against allegations of improper billing and unfair service fees. In one case, HSBC was accused of improper overdraft charges. Through a series of motions to dismiss, Strickland said she was able to limit the claims of these class actions, calling it a major victory compared to other class action lawsuits. A nationwide settlement is pending approval this month. Levin v. HSBC Bank, USA, N.A. 650562/2011 N.Y.S.C

In December 2014 Strickland secured a decision on behalf of Citibank from the California Court of Appeal. The Court ruled that California's state-law rule against arbitrating claims for public injunctive relief under California's Unfair Competition Law and Consumer Legal Remedies Act is preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act and recent United States Supreme Court precedent.

The credit card agreement provision states a party has to resolve all disputes with arbitration. "There was a question of whether that could be enforced," Strickland said.

The decision is the first California appellate decision to directly address this particular arbitration issue. "Plaintiffs said there is an exception to what is now a settled rule if you are seeking an injunction of behalf the public. The court disagreed."," Strickland said. The matter is now before the state Supreme Court. McGill v. Citibank, N.A. S224086

- Justin Kloczko