Bowler, Russell K.

Pearson's practice emphasizes the defense of class actions and other complex litigation. Pearson has developed arguments and written briefs that have convinced courts to deny class certification and to decertify classes. He has defended manufacturers of aviation, automotive, and other products in product liability and consumer fraud class action cases. He has defended corporations and their directors in shareholder class action cases. He has defended providers of Internet services, insurance claims administration, and other services in consumer fraud and breach-of-contract class action cases.

Pearson was extensively involved in Jones Day's nationwide coordination and defense of more than 150 state and federal class action lawsuits brought against Bridgestone/Firestone following the largest tire recall in history. He teaches complex litigation as an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. By frequently publishing articles and giving presentations on class action issues, practice before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, and other complex litigation topics, Pearson stays current with, and helps develop, cutting-edge strategies.

Pearson also has broad experience representing pharmaceutical companies, commercial banks, investment banks, accounting and law firms, manufacturers, mining companies, transportation companies, product suppliers, and other companies in a wide range of product liability, consumer fraud, and commercial litigation.

Pearson also has significant experience representing private equity clients, such as defending a private equity client that provided financing for a management buyout against claims for unfair business practices and interfering with management's fiduciary duties and representing private equity clients to resolve post-closing disputes. He also counsels private equity clients about structuring transactions to minimize litigation risks.

Pearson's courtroom experience includes examining and cross-examining fact and expert witnesses in jury trial and preliminary injunction proceedings. He has argued pretrial discovery, pretrial dispositive, and trial evidentiary issues in state and federal courts.

Pearson is also an accomplished appellate lawyer. He has represented clients on briefs and in arguments in state and federal appellate courts. In one recent matter in which a client retained Jones Day as appellate counsel after an adverse $30 million jury verdict, Pearson was the primary author of briefs that led the Ohio Supreme Court to order a new trial.

Pearson serves on the board of directors and the executive and governance committees of Project: LEARN, a nationally recognized nonprofit adult literacy organization. He also serves on the cabinet of GeneratioNext, the young professionals arm of United Way in Cuyahoga County.