Trial Lawyer Alex Romain Strengthens Milbank’s Litigation & Arbitration Practice

LOS ANGELES, September 10, 2020 — Milbank LLP is pleased to announce that highly regarded trial lawyer Alex Romain will be joining the firm’s Litigation & Arbitration team in Los Angeles. Mr. Romain joins as partner with a focus on complex commercial litigation, white-collar defense, and internal investigations.

Recognized twice as one of Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Lawyers in America” and as a Benchmark California Litigation Star, Mr. Romain is a leading national trial attorney with over two decades of relentless advocacy on behalf of individuals and corporations in high-stakes trials and arbitrations. Mr. Romain was a member of the trial team that exonerated the late Sen. Ted Stevens, playing a key role in pursuing the exculpatory evidence that ultimately led to the senator’s exoneration. The American Lawyer described his team’s work on the case as “one of the best criminal defense performances in memory.” Mr. Romain has also defended individuals and corporations against allegations of campaign finance violations, obstruction of justice, bank fraud, environmental pollution, theft, fraudulent misappropriation, and attempted murder.

Mr. Romain successfully represented the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens and several of its senior personnel in connection with the independent investigation conducted by former FBI Director Robert Mueller into the National Football League’s handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence incident.

Mr. Romain is recognized by Southern California Superlawyers and was selected to Savoy Magazine’s 2015 list of Most Influential Black Lawyers. He was named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s List of the Most Influential Minority Attorneys in Los Angeles (2019) and has been featured as a “Minority Powerbroker” by Law 360.

“Alex has an exceptional track record as a determined trial attorney in high-profile cases and we’re thrilled to welcome him to our growing team in Los Angeles,” said Milbank Chairman Scott A. Edelman.

Mr. Romain 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, Mr. Romain 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. Mr. Romain 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, and the court awarded his client summary judgment on all counts.

Mr. Romain, who grew up in Boston, is the son of Haitian immigrants and a classically trained pianist. He currently serves on the boards of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Alliance for Children’s Rights.

“We are pleased that Alex will be joining our peerless group of established and emerging litigators,” said Global Head of Litigation & Arbitration Group George Canellos. “His experience strengthens Milbank’s reputation as diligent advocates for clients in commercial disputes.”

Mr. Romain comes to Milbank from Irell & Manella LLP.

Prior to moving to California, Mr. Romain spent 10 years as a litigation partner at Williams & Connolly LLP in Washington, DC. During law school, he worked for the Hon. Deval Patrick at the Department of Justice, in the Office of the Attorney General for Civil Rights, where he received the U.S. Attorney General’s Special Commendation Award for Outstanding Service. Before joining private practice, he clerked for Judge Reginald C. Lindsay of the United States District Court of the District of Massachusetts, and then for Judge Sandra L. Lynch of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

“Alex will make an excellent addition to the firm’s expanding Los Angeles presence,” said Los Angeles office Managing Partners Mike Duff and Deborah Conrad. “In his four years of practice in the city, he has already distinguished himself as a national leader with regional expertise and exceptionally strong client relationships.”

“I am thrilled to join Milbank’s market-leading Litigation & Arbitration Group,” said Mr. Romain. “It is an extraordinary team of advocates – tireless, creative, passionate – working on behalf of the world’s leading companies to help resolve their crises. I can’t wait to get started.”