Deborah Russell Email & Phone Number

Richmond, Virginia

Associate 1979-1987 Partner 1988-present Represented major corporate clients in diverse litigation in state and federal courts nationwide.Litigation Highlights• Represented solar panel manufacturer (as plaintiff adverse to supplier) as trial and appellate counsel in a complex breach of supply contract case. After two-week jury trial, Maryland Circuit Court entered $8,849,447 judgment in favor of client and Maryland Court of Special Appeals affirmed on appeal.• Defended Japanese motor vehicle distributor and manufacturer in jury trial involving carotid artery injury allegedly resulting from interaction with passive seat belt.• Defended successfully global pharmaceutical company in personal injury cases in Maryland state court involving 95 sets of child and parent plaintiffs alleging autism resulting from pediatric vaccines.• Coordinated defense of pharmaceutical company in consolidated proceedings under Virginia’s Multiple Claimant Litigation Act involving claims alleging personal injuries and death from Schedule II pain medicine. Successfully argued motions to sever and to transfer cases.• Briefed and argued successful Motion to Dismiss in wrongful death action in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia alleging fatal side effect from diabetes drug.• Obtained dismissal on merits (based on primary jurisdiction doctrine) in novel state-wide class action seeking to declare illegal cars equipped with tempered glass in side and rear windows.

Richmond, Virginia Area

Responsible for cross-department, multi-disciplinary marketing team dedicated to serving pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology clients.• Launched successful prototype of cross-functional, industry-focused marketing team.• Led cross-department, multi-disciplinary team of attorneys resulting in expanded core competencies and coordinated cross-selling in life sciences practice.• Developed and executed a robust business plan for developing a life sciences practice.• Organized subcommittees to showcase team’s industry experience leading to branding recognition as a “primary,” “recommended” and “short lister” law firm in the area of pharmaceuticals (BTI Consulting Group Survey). • Partnered with key trade organizations and other stakeholders in industry webinars and workshops and raised the profile of the law firm among life sciences companies.

Richmond, Virginia Area

Responsible for national litigation and trial practice.• Led and managed team of 50 attorneys and 25 legal assistants from multiple offices in nationally recognized practice in defense of complex products liability litigation.• Developed strategies for marketing litigation practice to major manufacturing corporations.• Increased department revenue and profits by the effective management of staffing and accounts and the expansion of work for existing clients.• Represented major corporations in complex product liability and commercial litigation, at the trial and appellate levels, including individual cases, consolidated MDL proceedings and class actions.

Juris Doctor

Activities and Societies: University of Richmond Law Review, Notes and Comments Editor; McNeill Law Society, Chancellor

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.)

Graduated with high honors

Executive Education

Completed - Leading Professional Service Firms

National Institute Of Trial Advocacy

Completed – Trial Advocacy