Cara Vasquez

A selection of Cara's engagements include:

• Represented petrochemical owner in over $100 million dispute with contractor for delayed and overbudget construction of facility
• Regularly represents owners in navigating building and inspection code issues with the relevant municipal bodies
• Represented Latin American state-owned energy company in US$400 million litigation resulting from an off-shore failure caused by a defective component
• Represented petrochemical company in $50+ million litigation against general contractor in both federal and state court 
• Represented petrochemical company in dispute against engineering companies resulting from improper design of major equipment
• Represented independent E&P company in trade secret litigation in federal court
• Represented two EPC contractors in a confidential US$120+ million arbitration against the owner resulting from delays to the project and increased project costs
• Represented a carbon-black manufacturer in federal court in Indiana and subsequent Seventh Circuit Appeal, against anticipatory repudiation claims
• Represented a Texas-based bank in various litigation involving business tort claims
• Represented an oil and gas operator in an interpleader action of over 150 potential mineral interest owners
• Audited pharmaceutical company's speaker programs across the nation
• Represented insurance company in US$400 million coverage dispute successfully resolved through arbitration
• Represented high-density polyethylene pipe manufacturer in multi-party litigation in New Jersey filed by plaintiffs alleging property damage and personal injury due to major gas line explosion; secured dismissal of all claims against client following intensive analysis of pipe components and associated gas line system

Cara values pro bono and focuses on assisting domestic violence survivors. She regularly collaborates with nonprofits like Tahirih Justice Center to assist their most severely traumatized clients suffering from dissociation and memory lapses. Cara has represented clients in a wide-range of immigration applications, like T Visa, VAWA, U Visa, and SIJ; she mentors junior attorneys with similar matters.

She assists other pro bono clients in a variety of other areas from breach of contract disputes to school enrollment for homeless children. She previously created a mentorship program for student interns who attend a college preparatory high school serving urban young people with limited educational options. After she implemented the mentorship program at DLA Piper, the school asked her to train others so that they could implement similar programs.

Cara is a prior recipient of the firm's North American Pro Bono Award. Due in part to her partnership, DLA Piper also received Tahirih's Law Firm of the Year award.