MEET THE SPEAKERS
![Sidley_YGarcia](https://blog.smu.edu/rowling/files/2023/09/Sidley_YGarcia.jpg)
Yolanda Garcia
Partner
Sidley Austin
Dallas, TX
YOLANDA CORNEJO GARCIA, co-leader of the firm’s Securities and Shareholder Litigation practice group and co-chair of the firm’s diversity committee, represents corporations, corporate officers, and directors in matters including national class actions, multi-jurisdictional cases, domestic and international arbitrations, securities cases, and internal investigations. Prior to joining Sidley, Yolanda’s representations have included MGM Resorts Intl., American Airlines, Halliburton Corporation, Texas Rangers Baseball Partners, SemGroup Corp., The Williams Companies, Inc., Zale Corporation, ALFA, S.A.B. de C.V., HealthMarkets, Inc., and BearingPoint, Inc.
Chambers USA ranked Yolanda for her work in Litigation: General Commercial (2022–2023). Yolanda was selected to appear in Latino Leaders Magazine 2021 as a “Top Latino Lawyer.” She has consistently been listed as a “Litigation Star” for Securities work by Benchmark Litigation, most recently in its 2023 edition. Benchmark Litigation also recognized her as one of its “Top 250 Women in Litigation” in the United States in 2022 and 2020. Additionally, Yolanda was recognized by the American Lawyer as Litigator of the Week on September 18, 2020 for her representation in a confidential representation. Texas Super Lawyers recognized Yolanda as a “Super Lawyer” in 2013 and as a “Texas Rising Star” every year from 2006 to 2012. In 2009,the Dallas Business Journal honored Yolanda, naming her to their “40 under 40” list.
![Sidley_LWood](https://blog.smu.edu/rowling/files/2023/09/Sidley_LWood.jpg)
Leonard Wood
Partner
Sidley Austin
Houston, TX
LEONARD WOOD focuses his practice on shareholder activism, mergers and acquisitions, strategic investor relations, and corporate governance involving public companies. An active member of Sidley’s shareholder activism and corporate governance practices, he advises corporations facing proxy contests, as well as investor pressure related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues. Prior to joining Sidley, Leonard was an associate at another global law firm, where he assisted in the development of a prominently ranked shareholder activism practice.
Leonard holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, a Ph.D. from Harvard University, an M.Phil. from Oxford University, and a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a former editor-in-chief of the Harvard Business Law Review, and was named to The Best Lawyers in America’s “Ones to Watch” list for his work in Corporate Governance and Compliance law (2022).
![Sidley_TBragg](https://blog.smu.edu/rowling/files/2023/09/Sidley_TBragg.jpg)
Taylor Bragg
Managing Associate
Sidley Austin
Dallas, TX
TAYLER BRAGG represents companies and individuals in complex disputes and investigations, including class and collective actions and multi-jurisdictional disputes.
Tayler’s litigation practice spans all aspects of pleadings, discovery, trial, and appeal. She litigates all manner of high-risk business disputes, including those involving breach of contract and business torts. In addition, Tayler frequently represents companies in high-stakes employment litigation matters. She also provides pre-litigation advice related to contract and employment issues.
Before joining Sidley, Tayler earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from SMU Dedman School of Law, where she was elected to the Order of the Coif and served as a comment editor for the SMU Law Review. Tayler received her B.S., summa cum laude, from Texas Tech University.