Alexandra I. Russell

Alex Russell is a trial lawyer whose practice focuses on antitrust, class actions, and other complex commercial litigation. She is a partner in Goodwin’s Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution group and Antitrust practice.

Alex has extensive experience leading teams litigating complex class actions and multidistrict litigations and has deep experience in the pharmaceutical and energy sectors. She has successfully tried cases and handled evidentiary hearings in federal, state, and bankruptcy courts nationwide. The American Lawyer has recognized Alex numerous times for her courtroom wins—most recently for her role in achieving a “knockout win” for Sun Pharma in a more than decadelong antitrust class action involving the cholesterol drug Lipitor.

In addition to litigation, Alex regularly partners with clients to navigate antitrust issues affecting their industry, and brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach to help clients achieve their business objectives. She has particular expertise in the unique litigation and competition issues facing pharmaceutical companies and is a frequent speaker on these topics.

Antitrust Litigation

• In re Lipitor Antitrust Litigation (D.N.J.): Represented Sun Pharma and its Ranbaxy affiliates in a multidistrict putative class action alleging that Ranbaxy conspired to delay the launch of a generic version of the blockbuster cholesterol drug Lipitor. Defeated direct and end-payor class certification motions and summary judgment granted in client’s favor on all claims. Alex argued the winning opposition to the direct-purchaser plaintiffs’ class certification motion and was recognized by The American Lawyer as a Litigator of the Week runner-up for this “knockout win” for Sun.*
• Value Drug v. Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A. Inc., et al. (E.D. Pa.): Trial counsel for Teva and Amneal Pharmaceuticals in litigation alleging anticompetitive horizontal conspiracy concerning the gout drug Colcrys. Defeated class certification twice.*
• In re Ranbaxy Generic Drug Application Antitrust Litigation (D. Mass.): Represented Sun Pharma and its Ranbaxy affiliates in a multidistrict class action alleging Ranbaxy obstructed competition by making fraudulent misrepresentations to the FDA in seeking approval for its generic versions of blockbuster drugs, Nexium, Valcyte, and Diovan.*
• In re Effexor XR Antitrust Litigation (D.N.J.): Represented Teva in a multidistrict putative class action arising out of a patent litigation settlement concerning the antidepressant drug Effexor. In 2018, the court granted in part Teva’s motion for judgment on the pleadings.*
• In re Niaspan Antitrust Litigation (E.D. Pa., CA3): Represented Teva in a multidistrict class action arising out of a patent litigation settlement concerning the cholesterol drug Niaspan. Defeated end-payor class certification twice. Ruling was affirmed on appeal in a precedential Third Circuit decision.*

Complex Commercial and Restructuring Litigation

• Himawan, et al. v. Cephalon Inc., et al. (Del. Ch.): Trial counsel for Teva in a breach of contract earn-out dispute. After one-week trial in Delaware Chancery court, judgment entered in favor of client on all claims.*
• In re HONX, Inc. (Bkr. S.D. Tex.): Represented HONX, Inc. (a Hess Corporation subsidiary) in its successful Chapter 11 restructuring that fully resolved its mass tort liabilities related to asbestos claims.  Alex had a lead role at the confirmation trial, where she conducted the direct examination of the Debtor’s key witness.* 
• In re Chesapeake Energy (Bkr. S.D. Tex.): Trial counsel for Chesapeake Energy Corporation and 40 of its subsidiaries in their Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and related litigation proceedings. In 2021, after a three-week trial against the official committee of unsecured creditors concerning confirmation and valuation issues, the court confirmed Chesapeake’s plan of reorganization.*
• In re Gulfport Energy (Bkr. S.D. Tex.): Trial counsel for Gulfport Energy and its subsidiaries in their Chapter 11 cases and related litigation proceedings. The American Lawyer recognized Alex as a Litigator of the Week “runner up” for her work on this matter.*
• Antero Resources (various matters): Represented Antero in various putative class actions in West Virginia brought by royalty owners claiming breach of oil and gas leases.*
• GE v. Siemens Energy, Inc. (E.D. Va.); Mitsubishi v. Siemens Energy, Inc. (M.D. Fla.): Represented Siemens Energy, Inc. in cases brought by competitors alleging trade secrets misappropriation in the gas turbine industry.*
• Chesapeake Energy (various matters): Represented Chesapeake Energy and affiliates in certified Ohio class actions claiming breach of natural gas leases. Summary judgment entered in client’s favor in each case. Henceroth v. Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., 2019 WL 4750661 (N.D. Ohio, Sept. 30, 2019), affirmed 814 Fed. Appx. 67 (6th Cir., 2020) and Zehentbauer v. Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., 450 F. Supp. 3d 790 (N.D. Ohio, 2020).*

Pro Bono

• Represented capital petitioner in state habeas proceedings. After a two-week evidentiary hearing, the Texas trial court issued a rare ruling reversing its own sentencing decision. Alex was recognized as a Litigator of the Week runner-up for her work on this matter.*

*Denotes experience prior to joining Goodwin

• Antitrust Section, American Bar Association
• Energy & Mineral Law Foundation

Prior to joining Goodwin, Alex was a litigation partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Speaking Engagements

• Panelist, ABA Antitrust Developments in Trade Associations
• Panelist, ABA Antitrust Section, Information Sharing in the Current Antitrust Landscape 
• Panelist, Analysis Group Law & Economics Symposium: Antitrust in Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals
• Panelist, ABA Antitrust Section, Regulating Reverse Payment Settlements in Canada
• Instructor, DC Bar, How to Win Discovery Motions