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    Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

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Alexander Setzepfandt

Associate

San Francisco +1 415 591 7077

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Focusing on class actions, Alex regularly advises clients in the life sciences, technology, and financial services industries in complex litigations involving product defects and mass torts. He also has experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial actions, including insurance recovery, breach of contract, and business tort matters.

    Alex has had successes at all phases of litigation, including the motion to dismiss, class certification, summary judgment, trial, and appellate stages. His experience includes drafting complaints and dispositive motions, taking and defending depositions, negotiating discovery and pre-trial stipulations, and assisting with a broad range of tasks at trial.

    Through his active pro bono practice, Alex has honed his oral advocacy skills. His experience includes:

    • First chairing a jury trial in SDNY;
    • Presenting a winning oral argument before the 11th Circuit; and
    • Arguing motions in limine and other pre-trial matters.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters

    Life Sciences

    • Represents multinational pharmaceutical company in class actions alleging contamination of OTC drug products. Won motion to dismiss on standing grounds—twice.
    • Represented major pharmaceutical distributor in successfully defending a series of lawsuits brought by municipal, county, state governments, and individuals seeking billions of dollars in damages. Part of trial team that won full defense verdict after jury trial.
    • Represented pharmaceutical company, including at trial, in Hatch-Waxman litigation involving combination therapy product used during eye surgery.

    Technology

    • Represents car-share company in prosecuting breach of contract and professional negligence claims.
    • Represents smart phone gaming company in class action litigation alleging false marketing relating to pricing. Won denial of class certification early in the case.
    • Advised major technology company in D&O coverage related to high profile securities claim.
    • Represented major technology company in defense of hundreds of product liability lawsuits filed around the country.

    Financial Services

    • Represented commodities brokerage firm in successfully recovering over $150 million in fidelity bond litigation resulting from unauthorized employee trading. Assisted with winning summary judgment motion and defending win on appeal.
    • Represented loan servicer in putative class action regarding alleged misrepresentations. Winning brief resulted in dismissal of 13 of 14 claims.
    • Represented affiliate of asset management firm in tortious interference action filed in New York Supreme Court, Commercial Division. Won dismissal of all claims on summary judgment.
    • Represented asset management firm in bankruptcy adversary proceeding resulting from the breach of a financing agreement’s exclusivity provision.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Yale Law School, J.D., 2015
        • Francis Wayland Prize, for proficiency in preparing and presenting a case in negotiation, arbitration, and litigation
        • Journal of Health, Law, Policy, and Ethics
    • University of California, Berkeley, B.A., 2011
        • summa cum laude
        • Departmental Citation, given to one philosophy graduate each year
        • Phi Beta Kappa
    Bar Admissions
    • California
    • New York
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    Judicial Clerkship
    • Hon. Kimba M. Wood, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2017 - 2018
    Pro Bono
    • Represent individual in three consolidated immigration appeals concerning deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture. Presented oral argument before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Won remand on all three appeals, leading to further victory before the Board of Immigration Appeals.
    • Represented national veterans non-profit in amicus brief.
    • Represented individuals and community organization in putative class action against HUD and Hartford-based housing authorities for violating their duties under the Fair Housing Act.
    • Represented, including as lead trial counsel, an individual in a § 1983 action against the City of New York. Secured favorable settlement following trial.
    • Represented individual in attorney malpractice action regarding prior appellate representation. Secured favorable settlement after presenting oral argument at pretrial conference.
    • Represented former employee of convenience store chain in ADA discrimination and retaliation action against that store. Secured favorable settlement at mediation.
    • Represented non-profit in defending wage theft claims. Negotiated favorable settlement.
    Previous Experience
    • Yale Landlord-Tenant Clinic, Student Intern (2013-2015)
    • United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California, Law Clerk (Summer 2013)

    Areas of Expertise

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