Alexander Akerman

• Represented a foreign renewable energy company prosecuted for criminal economic espionage and conspiracy by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Defeated the claim for more than $2 billion in fines.
• Represented a satellite service provider in two related billion-dollar antitrust class action cases involving the NHL’s and MLB’s blackout rules and exclusive telecast territories. After an evidentiary hearing, a Daubert challenge defeated certification of the damages class, eliminating all risk of monetary liability.
• Represented technology company employees sued by their former employer for theft of trade secrets, technology, corporate sabotage, employee raiding, and breaches of fiduciary duty. Defeated a preliminary injunction motion and favorably settled the matter on the eve of arbitration.
• Defended a foreign law firm in an eight-figure breach of fiduciary duty claim. Quashed service for lack of jurisdiction after oral argument.
• Represented a luxury automobile manufacturer in multidistrict litigation (MDL) related to alleged emission “defeat devices” present in certain vehicles. The MDL had regulatory, consumer, and competitor components.
• Represented an international fast food restaurant chain in a putative class action under the California Unfair Competition Law related to the redemption of gift cards. The disputes settled favorably for under six figures.
• Defended a satellite service provider in several California class actions challenging satellite dish installation practices; obtained dismissal with prejudice for a lack of jurisdiction relying on the local action doctrine. Dismissal upheld by the Ninth Circuit in a unanimous published opinion.
• Defended an online education company against an American with Disabilities Act nationwide class action. The dispute settled favorably for under six figures.
• Defended a satellite service provider against a plaintiff challenging satellite installation policies on a classwide basis under New Jersey common law. The case was dismissed with prejudice.
• Counseling an online short-term rental and hospitality service on compliance with multiple state and city regulations and unfair competition/consumer protection statutes.
• Counseling numerous e-commerce companies, including a music streaming company, on updating terms of service, ensuring lawful automatic renewal subscription policies, and implementing enforceable digital arbitration agreements.

Alexander Akerman is a senior associate with Alston & Bird’s Litigation & Trial Practice Group. He focuses on high-stakes complex commercial litigation with an emphasis on class action defense, antitrust, breach of contract, trade secret and espionage, privacy, and unfair competition disputes. He has extensive experience defending claims based on California’s Unfair Competition Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act.

Alex represents clients across a wide variety of industries, such as telecommunications, automotive, alternative energy, food and beverage, consumer products, and manufacturing. He has appeared in state and federal courts nationwide and has defended clients in state and nationwide class actions, as well as federal multidistrict and California coordinated proceedings.

Alex received his J.D., cum laude, from Duke University School of Law in 2011, and his B.A., summa cum laude, in political science from UCLA in 2007.

Bar Admissions

• California

Education

• Duke University (J.D., 2011)
• University of California, Los Angeles (B.A., 2007)