About Christina L. Costley

Christina Costley is a proven securities litigator and first-chair trial lawyer who has won victories for her clients across a range of complex practice areas, including securities class actions, shareholder derivative cases, intellectual property disputes and criminal proceedings.

A winning record

Securities class actions are must win cases. Christina is a proven securities litigator who has obtained dismissal, at the pleading stage, of every securities class action and shareholder derivative case that she has defended in the last decade. And she has held that record on appeal, beating back every attempt by the plaintiff’s bar to overturn trial court dismissals. She also has an excellent record of defeating requests to enjoin shareholder votes in merger cases and other proxy contests.

In addition, and unusual amongst the securities bar, Christina has significant courtroom experience, having acted as lead counsel in 15 jury trials.

Christina has also had success defending other forms of complex litigation, including false advertising, trade secrets and software negligence.

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"Christina will handle questions with the right tailoring for the client and its risk profile and industry. She is also highly responsive." "Christina is a very knowledgeable and competent securities litigator." "She is experienced in securities matters and able to wade through complex issues." "Christina is responsive and produces excellent work quality." 

Chambers USA 2026
(California, Litigation: Securities) survey response

Practice Focus

  • Defending securities class actions and shareholder derivative lawsuits in federal and state court
  • SEC enforcement proceedings
  • Internal investigations
  • All forms of complex commercial litigation
  • AI litigation, including representation of companies in connection with whether a product is AI and fiduciary duties related to AI

News

Publications

Presentations and Events

Practices
Industries
Education
  • University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, JD
  • University of California, Santa Barbara, BA, magna cum laude
Bar Admissions
  • California
Court Admissions
  • US District Court, Central District of California
  • US District Court, Northern District of California
  • US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • Chambers USA
    Litigation Securities, 2026
  • Daily Journal
    Top 20 Under 40, 2014
  • Super Lawyers Rising Stars
    Southern California, 2015–2018
  • The Legal 500 United States
    Recommended Attorney, 2019, 2022–2024
  • Lawdragon
    500 Leading Litigators in America, 2026
Award Methodologies