Alex Romain is a leading national trial lawyer with more than 25 years of experience representing individuals and corporations in a broad range of high-stakes matters. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, white collar defense, and internal investigations.
Alex has handled high-profile white collar criminal matters, including the defense and ultimate exoneration of the late Sen. Ted Stevens. The American Lawyer described his team’s work on this case as “one of the best criminal defense performances in memory, resulting in a heightened scrutiny of prosecutors that will affect the Justice Department for years to come.” He also successfully represented the Baltimore Ravens and members of its senior leadership regarding the independent investigation conducted by former FBI Director Robert Mueller.
He has represented clients against allegations involving finance violations, obstruction of justice, consumer fraud, bank fraud, environmental pollution, theft, and fraudulent misappropriation. Additionally, he has successfully defended numerous law firms, accounting firms, and actuarial firms against claims of professional negligence and malpractice, and on conflicts issues.
As lead counsel, Alex represented a leading global professional services company in an $830 million actuarial malpractice and breach of contract lawsuit brought by the City of Houston in connection with the city’s $6.2 billion pension crisis. He also successfully represented the former chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae against securities fraud claims in which the plaintiff sought more than $2 billion in damages. The court awarded Alex’s client summary judgment on all counts.
Alex maintains an active pro bono practice. As lead counsel, he recently represented the Alliance for Children’s Rights and the Learning Rights Law Center in a petition before the Supreme Court of California seeking to secure necessary educational services for students with special needs in the Los Angeles Unified School District during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alex currently serves as chair of the board of the Alliance for Children’s Rights and is a classically trained pianist. Alex recently served on the boards of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the UCLA Medical Center Advisory Board. He also previously served on Law360’s Trial Editorial Advisory Board.
Alex earned his BA from Yale University and his JD from the University of Michigan Law School. He clerked for the Hon. Sandra L. Lynch of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and for the Hon. Reginald C. Lindsay of the US District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
Representative Matters
Commercial Litigation
- Lead counsel advising Harvard University in connection with a confidential patent litigation matter.
- As lead counsel for a leading global company, conducted an internal investigation and reported to the Audit Committee in connection with a multi-billion-dollar charge in the company’s financial statements.
- As lead investigation and trial counsel, defended a global professional services company in connection with the Department of Justice Antitrust Division’s investigation and trial regarding proposed mergers of Anthem with Cigna and Aetna with Humana.
- Represented Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. against a fitness technology company in its claims of patent infringement related to stationary bike technology.
- As trial counsel, obtained a favorable settlement for a leading regional airline in a nationally prominent wrongful termination and defamation case brought by a former pilot. The case was featured on CBS’s “60 Minutes.”
- Successfully defended an international, New York-based law firm against a $1.6 billion corporate meltdown claim brought by a bankruptcy trustee.
- Successfully represented a for-profit college in connection with consumer fraud investigations by the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions and various State Attorneys General.
- Successfully defended a for-profit college in an arbitration regarding allegations of false representations and fraudulent recruiting practices.
- Secured a summary judgment on all eight counts in a $500 million legal malpractice suit against an international law firm.
- As lead attorney investigator, defended a California utility company against claims arising out of the Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and the Montecito mudslides. At the time, these were considered the largest fires in California history.
- Successfully defended the former chief financial officer of a major, international oil services company regarding an SEC enforcement investigation involving allegations of accounting fraud, after which the SEC declined to bring any charges against the client.
White Collar
- As co-lead trial counsel, defended the owner of a health care company in a two-week federal criminal trial in Little Rock, on six counts of bribery, conspiracy, and honest services fraud.
- As lead trial counsel, defended the accused in a week-long trial on charged of attempted murder.
- Lead counsel defending a healthcare company in connection with a grand jury investigation of alleged accounting fraud.
- Defended a DC businessman regarding a Department of Justice investigation into the financing of a “shadow campaign” on behalf of DC’s former mayor, Vincent Gray, and against charges of obstruction of justice and campaign finance violations.
- Defended a leading cruise line company in a grand jury investigation regarding alleged environmental pollution.
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
Alex Romain is a leading national trial lawyer with more than 25 years of experience representing individuals and corporations in a broad range of high-stakes matters. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, white collar defense, and internal investigations.
Alex has handled high-profile white collar criminal matters, including the defense and ultimate exoneration of the late Sen. Ted Stevens. The American Lawyer described his team’s work on this case as “one of the best criminal defense performances in memory, resulting in a heightened scrutiny of prosecutors that will affect the Justice Department for years to come.” He also successfully represented the Baltimore Ravens and members of its senior leadership regarding the independent investigation conducted by former FBI Director Robert Mueller.
He has represented clients against allegations involving finance violations, obstruction of justice, consumer fraud, bank fraud, environmental pollution, theft, and fraudulent misappropriation. Additionally, he has successfully defended numerous law firms, accounting firms, and actuarial firms against claims of professional negligence and malpractice, and on conflicts issues.
As lead counsel, Alex represented a leading global professional services company in an $830 million actuarial malpractice and breach of contract lawsuit brought by the City of Houston in connection with the city’s $6.2 billion pension crisis. He also successfully represented the former chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae against securities fraud claims in which the plaintiff sought more than $2 billion in damages. The court awarded Alex’s client summary judgment on all counts.
Alex maintains an active pro bono practice. As lead counsel, he recently represented the Alliance for Children’s Rights and the Learning Rights Law Center in a petition before the Supreme Court of California seeking to secure necessary educational services for students with special needs in the Los Angeles Unified School District during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alex currently serves as chair of the board of the Alliance for Children’s Rights and is a classically trained pianist. Alex recently served on the boards of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the UCLA Medical Center Advisory Board. He also previously served on Law360’s Trial Editorial Advisory Board.
Alex earned his BA from Yale University and his JD from the University of Michigan Law School. He clerked for the Hon. Sandra L. Lynch of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and for the Hon. Reginald C. Lindsay of the US District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
Areas of Focus
Representative Matters
Commercial Litigation
- Lead counsel advising Harvard University in connection with a confidential patent litigation matter.
- As lead counsel for a leading global company, conducted an internal investigation and reported to the Audit Committee in connection with a multi-billion-dollar charge in the company’s financial statements.
- As lead investigation and trial counsel, defended a global professional services company in connection with the Department of Justice Antitrust Division’s investigation and trial regarding proposed mergers of Anthem with Cigna and Aetna with Humana.
- Represented Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. against a fitness technology company in its claims of patent infringement related to stationary bike technology.
- As trial counsel, obtained a favorable settlement for a leading regional airline in a nationally prominent wrongful termination and defamation case brought by a former pilot. The case was featured on CBS’s “60 Minutes.”
- Successfully defended an international, New York-based law firm against a $1.6 billion corporate meltdown claim brought by a bankruptcy trustee.
- Successfully represented a for-profit college in connection with consumer fraud investigations by the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions and various State Attorneys General.
- Successfully defended a for-profit college in an arbitration regarding allegations of false representations and fraudulent recruiting practices.
- Secured a summary judgment on all eight counts in a $500 million legal malpractice suit against an international law firm.
- As lead attorney investigator, defended a California utility company against claims arising out of the Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and the Montecito mudslides. At the time, these were considered the largest fires in California history.
- Successfully defended the former chief financial officer of a major, international oil services company regarding an SEC enforcement investigation involving allegations of accounting fraud, after which the SEC declined to bring any charges against the client.
White Collar
- As co-lead trial counsel, defended the owner of a health care company in a two-week federal criminal trial in Little Rock, on six counts of bribery, conspiracy, and honest services fraud.
- As lead trial counsel, defended the accused in a week-long trial on charged of attempted murder.
- Lead counsel defending a healthcare company in connection with a grand jury investigation of alleged accounting fraud.
- Defended a DC businessman regarding a Department of Justice investigation into the financing of a “shadow campaign” on behalf of DC’s former mayor, Vincent Gray, and against charges of obstruction of justice and campaign finance violations.
- Defended a leading cruise line company in a grand jury investigation regarding alleged environmental pollution.
Credentials
Admissions
- California
- New York
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, JD, Clarence Darrow Scholar
First Place, Henry M. Campbell Moot Court Competition (1997) - Yale University, BA
Edgar Meeker Prize for Writing; McLaughlin Memorial Prize for Writing; David C. DeForest Prize for Public Speaking; Buck-Jackson Prize for Public Speaking.
Court Admissions
- US Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
- US District Court, Central District of California
- US District Court, Southern District of California
- US District Court, District of Columbia
- US District Court, Southern District of Texas
- US District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas
- US District Court, Western District of Arkansas
- District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Clerkships
- Judge Reginald C. Lindsay, US District Court, District of Massachusetts
- Hon. Sandra L. Lynch, US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
Service / Recognition
Awards
- Los Angeles Business Journal, Leaders of Influence: Top Litigator and Trial Attorney, 2022
- National Law Journal, Litigation Trailblazers, 2022
- Southern California Super Lawyers, 2019-2021
- Lawdragon, 500 Leading Lawyers in America
- Benchmark, California Litigation Star
- Los Angeles Business Journal, Leaders in Law, 2020
- Los Angeles Business Journal, Most Influential Minority Attorneys, 2019
- The Recorder, Southern California Superlawyers
- Attorney at Law Magazine, Attorney of the Month, 2018
- Savoy Magazine, Most Influential Black Lawyers, 2015
Community
- Los Angeles Master Chorale, Board of Directors, Assistant Treasurer
- Alliance for Children’s Rights, Board of Directors, Co-Chair of Policy Committee
- Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Advisory Board, Member