Louis Russo is a trusted legal advisor to domestic and international businesses and directors and officers facing complex commercial and fraud-based disputes. In addition to his general business and commercial experience, Lou has successfully represented clients in other matters involving financial services, corporate governance, securities fraud, maritime chartering disputes, restrictive covenants (non-compete/non-solicit), and residential and commercial loan servicing. In all of his matters, Lou helps his clients efficiently resolve their legal challenges through a variety of strategies best suited to their needs, including pre-suit negotiation, mediation, litigation in state and federal courts, and arbitration under the rules of the major arbitral institutions.

Lou has extensive domestic and international arbitration experience (ICC, AAA, and SMA maritime), including representing a bulk chemical fertilizer distributor in a maritime chartering dispute arbitration involving a foreign counterparty's failure to accept delivery of the fertilizer. In another matter, he represented an acquired medical device developer concerning the development and marketing of a dental imaging device by a German device manufacturer in an AAA arbitration. He has acted as counsel to one of the largest publicly traded fuel tanker companies in the world in a maritime arbitration dispute with a Norwegian shipbuilder involving ship construction and chartering. Lou has also represented a Chinese electronics manufacturer in an ICC arbitration with a Korean manufacturer over a failed joint venture. Lou serves as an adjunct professor on international commercial arbitration, has authored numerous articles on international arbitration, and often speaks on the subject as well. Recently, Lou co-authored a chapter on arbitration and mediation of professional liability matters in the American Bar Association's Resolving Insurance Claim Disputes Before Trial.

A magna cum laude graduate of Hofstra University School of Law, Lou was the Associate Editor of the Hofstra Law Review and the Vice President of the Moot Court Association. He also participated in the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s trial techniques program. He received his B.A. in political science (with a minor in biology) from Villanova University.

Representative Matters

• Domestic & International Arbitration Representations: 
  • Healthcare company and its officers and directors in securities fraud case brought by purported accredited investor seeking return of private placement investment (AAA, New York) 
  • Bulk chemical fertilizer distribution company in a maritime arbitration of a dispute concerning a German counterparty’s failure to take delivery of ammonium sulfate (SMA maritime, New York). 
  • Investors of an acquired medical device developer concerning the development and marketing of a dental imaging device by a German device manufacturer (AAA, New York). 
  • Chinese electronics manufacturer in a dispute concerning a failed joint venture with a Korean manufacturer (ICC, Hong Kong). 
  • Major European technology company in multibillion-dollar arbitration over the scope of a patent license agreement (ICC, New York).
    
• Financial Services & Securities Litigation Representations: 
  • U.S. financial institution in fraud-based dispute relating to failed financing for real estate development projects
  • Credit arm of automotive manufacturer in actions against various guarantors of defaulted car dealership loans
  • UK bank in RMBS representation and warranty lawsuits filed by trustees and liquidating trusts involving billions in loans.
  • U.S. financial institution that served as trustee in several litigations between stakeholders to collateralized debt obligations (CDO).
  • Insurance company and its directors and officers in a securities fraud class action and derivative lawsuits.
  • Directors and officers of a failed residential builder in securities fraud class action litigation and bankruptcy adversary proceedings asserting breach of fiduciary duty and other claims.
  • Official committee of unsecured creditors and plan administrator in bankruptcy adversary proceedings relating to the mismanagement of a failed construction lending company.
  • U.S. financial institution in residential mortgage foreclosure actions in New England.
• General Commercial Litigation Representations:
  • Online apparel retailer ("e-tailer") in pre-suit negotiations with third-party logistics provider over disputes relating to a fulfillment contract.
  • Medical supplies wholesaler in trademark and unfair competition action concerning importation of international grey market goods.
  • Prominent businessman in a series of litigations relating to fraud perpetrated by his son relating to the purported purchase of a national magazine.
  • Special servicer in actions against various guarantors of defaulted loans.
  • Employer and newly hired employees in litigation concerning restrictive covenants and trade secrets.

Honors

• AV Preeminent Peer-Review Rating (Martindale-Hubbell)
• New York Metro Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2017–18
• View peer-review methodologies at martindale.com. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. 

Professional Affiliations

• Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK)
• New York International Arbitration Center (Member)
• New York City Small Claims Court Arbitrator

Admitted to Practice

• New York 
• New Jersey 
• District of Columbia 
• U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
• U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Community Involvement

• Inner-City Scholarship Fund: Lawyers Committee
• Mentor, Villanova BRIDGE Society
• Alumni Interviewer, Villanova University Scholarship Program
• Delegate, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law 2016 Working Group for Arbitration and Conciliation

Education

• Hofstra University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2007
• Villanova University, B.A., 2002