Louis Russo practices complex litigation defense, handling a variety of pharmaceutical, medical device, products liability, and toxic tort matters. He has significant experience in all aspects of products liability litigation, including fact and expert discovery, proceedings before the Federal Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, pleading and summary judgment motions, Daubert/Frye motions, trials, appeals, and settlement strategy.
In his insurance coverage practice, Louis represents policyholders in coverage disputes arising out of tort and products liability claims. On this front, he often represents clients seeking coverage as additional insureds pursuant to agreements with business partners. He also has experience representing policyholders seeking coverage under commercial property and casualty insurance policies.
His litigation experience includes:
- Pursuing insurance coverage for multiple Fortune 500 companies through both coverage litigation and out-of-court resolution;
- Representing a major pharmaceutical company seeking insurance coverage in multiple arbitrations following successful resolution of an underlying product liability litigation involving transdermal birth control patches;
- Defending a major pesticide manufacturer in products liability litigation involving an EPA-approved herbicide;
- Defending major pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in products liability matters involving antibiotics, antipsychotics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, prescription opioids, surgical mesh, and suture anchors;
- Defending a major consumer goods manufacturer in a state consolidated litigation involving cosmetic talcum powder, leading fact discovery and depositions. In that same litigation, he was a member of the trial team for the first New York trial involving the cosmetic talc product, preparing motions in limine, evidentiary motions, post-trial briefing, and appellate briefing, which resulted in dismissal of all claims;
- Representing clients in complex commercial litigation in areas including anti-counterfeiting, antitrust, tort, contract, and business organization law;
- Representing pro bono clients in appeals involving criminal law, administrative law, domestic violence, and human rights abuses.
Louis received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Fordham University School of Law where he was elected to the Order of the Coif and served as Senior Articles Editor of the Fordham Law Review. He graduated summa cum laude from Wagner College with a B.A. in government/politics and economics.
Louis enjoys the rigor of law, the opportunity that each case offers to dial in on a new subject or industry, and the challenge of digging deep into science to master new concepts. He believes continuous learning is the difference between a good lawyer and a great lawyer.
