Lisa Staler Gallerano has joined BakerHostetler’s Dallas office as of counsel in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Commercial Litigation team. Gallerano reenters private practice after 10 combined years as in-house general counsel with both a Texas-based commercial bank and a global marketing company that provides data intelligence and customer insights. She previously spent 28 years with a multinational Am Law 50 firm, including 19 years as a lead trial partner with a complex business litigation practice, representing both corporate defendants and plaintiffs protecting their business interests.
Gallerano’s arrival reflects BakerHostetler’s commitment to recruiting top talent to complement an exceptionally strong Texas litigation bench. With nearly 40 years of experience as a lead trial partner and trusted adviser and as in-house general counsel, she brings seasoned judgment and courtroom strength to clients navigating complex commercial disputes.
“Lisa’s return to law firm practice is an outstanding addition for our clients in Dallas and nationally,” said Steven Dettelbach, chair of BakerHostetler’s national Litigation Practice Group. “Her addition directly supports our firm’s goal to invest in pressure-tested, trial-ready talent and practical, business-first counsel where clients need it most. She brings a rare combination of first-chair trial experience and C-suite leadership that enhances the way we help clients manage risk, make decisions and win disputes. We are excited to welcome Lisa to the firm and to our Dallas office.”
About Gallerano’s practice
As executive vice president and general counsel for a Texas-based commercial bank for the past five years, Gallerano managed litigation, trademark, patent, commercial contracts and insurance matters. While overseeing the bank’s legal function, she worked closely with executive management, leadership at bank branches and the board of the publicly reporting bank holding company as well as with regulatory, compliance, human resources and information security teams to provide sound legal guidance and manage risk.
Gallerano also spent five years as senior vice president and general counsel for a global marketing company that provides data intelligence and customer insights. There, she guided a team of more than 25 attorneys and paraprofessionals managing company litigation in matters pertaining to privacy, data governance and information security, compliance, commercial contracts, patents and trademarks, human resources, mergers and acquisitions, government relations, and internal and external audits.
Before going in-house, Gallerano began her career at an Am Law 50 firm, representing clients in complex commercial litigation including class and derivative actions, fiduciary duty litigation, and arbitration, as well as in government and internal investigations. During her 28-year tenure, she built a strong complex business litigation practice, served as her office’s hiring partner, and won awards for mentoring and pro bono work.
Gallerano received her J.D. from SMU Dedman School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Dallas.
“We’re thrilled Lisa chose BakerHostetler as she returns to private practice,” said Shawn Cleveland, partner-in-charge of the Dallas office. “Lisa is an outstanding and respected trial lawyer. Clients turn to us for practical counsel and a steady hand in high-stakes litigation, and Lisa is a perfect fit for that approach. She adds immediate value for our clients and further deepens our formidable bench in complex commercial litigation.”
BakerHostetler helps clients around the world address their most complex and critical business and regulatory issues. Its highly ranked attorneys deliver sophisticated counsel and outstanding client service. The Firm has six core practice groups – Business, Digital Assets and Data Management, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Litigation, and Tax – and more than 1,000 lawyers coast to coast.
