Alexander Rodney

Partner Litigation

New York +1 212 909 3305

Alexander Rodney

Overview

Alexander (“Alex”) Rodney is a litigation partner in Kirkland’s New York office. His practice focuses on complex and high-value commercial matters, representing public and private companies and funds in securities, M&A, antitrust, IP licensing and patent infringement and other cutting-edge commercial disputes. Alex has significant experience navigating ESG/anti-ESG and DE&I issues and related shareholder activism, particularly in the context of securities and shareholder litigation. He also counsels clients on issues of corporate governance, litigation, and crisis management, often in highly regulated and innovative industries and in connection with major strategic transactions.

Some of Alex’s recent representations include:

  • Target Corporation and certain of its officers and directors, defending a putative securities class action filed in Minnesota federal court arising out of Target’s inventory management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Obtained complete dismissal with prejudice.
  • Target Corporation and certain of its officers and directors, defending a securities action filed in Florida federal court arising out of Target’s 2023 LGBTQ+ Pride campaign.
  • EQT Corporation and certain of its officers and directors, defending a consolidated putative securities class action, related, individual securities fraud lawsuits, and shareholder derivative actions, filed in Pennsylvania federal court arising out of EQT’s $6.7 billion acquisition of Rice Energy 
  • Hedge fund in an AAA arbitration arising from a dispute with fund founder. Won at arbitration
  • Private equity fund in connection with preliminary injunction to enjoin merger. Defeated preliminary injunction

Prior to joining Kirkland, Alex worked on the following matters:

  • Fortune 100 consumer products company in multi-billion-dollar exclusive licensing dispute
  • Fortune 100 consumer products company in connection with FTC antitrust inquiries
  • Fortune 100 insurance company in ARIAS arbitration arising out of a reinsurance transaction
  • Multinational financial services company in connection with CFPB inquiries
  • Airbnb in obtaining a preliminary injunction in the S.D.N.Y. to block implementation of NYC ordinance
  • Airbnb in obtaining dismissal of unfair competition and GBL action in New York Commercial Division
  • Tech unicorn founder in connection with corporate governance and partnership dispute
  • Tech unicorn in connection with AAA arbitrations alleging violations of various state statutes
  • Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in shareholder action filed in Delaware Chancery Court
  • Mylan in a lawsuit and preliminary injunction filed by Perrigo challenging certain disclosure statements that Mylan made in connection with its $27 billion proposal to acquire Perrigo
  • Colgate-Palmolive in several product-liability lawsuits filed in California state court
  • Novartis Pharmaceuticals in S.D.N.Y. action alleging violations of the FCA and Anti-Kickback Statute
  • IBM in federal litigation and 10th Circuit appeal alleging unfair competition and tortious interference
  • Alcon Laboratories in connection with more than 50 putative class actions and MDL consolidated in the federal Middle District of Florida alleging violations of antitrust and consumer protection laws

Law ClerkChief Justice Asher D. Grunis & Honorable Miriam NaorSupreme Court of Israel2013

Law ClerkHonorable William G. YoungUnited States District Court for the District of Massachusetts2012–2013

Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP

  • Counsel, 2020–2022
  • Senior Associate, 2018–2020

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

  • Associate, 2013–2018

More

Thought Leadership

Publications

“Court of Appeals Ruling Raises Bar for Retroactive Economic Regs, Expert Note,” Law360, May 2020

“Never Forget,” Jerusalem Post, September 2018

Speaking Engagements

“Hot Topics in Securities Class Actions and Anti-ESG/DEI Challenges,” Aerospace General Counsel Group Conference, 2024

“2023 Securities Litigation Report Webcast,” Lex Machina, 2023

“Federal Loan Forgiveness and Mandatory Assignment,” NCHR Meeting, 2021

Memberships & Affiliations

Overseas Member, Commercial Bar Association of England and Wales, UK

Cambridge European Trust Fellowship, University of Cambridge

Lord Mansfield Scholarship, The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, UK

Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship, The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation

Wyndham Deedes Memorial Trust Fellow, Wyndham Deedes Memorial Trust

Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fellow, Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Trust

Leverhulme Studentship, Leverhulme Trust (awarded; unable to accept)

Professional Ethics Fellow, Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2013New York

Courts

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

Education

  • Harvard Law SchoolLL.M.2012

    Summer Academic Fellowship

    Derek Bok Awards for Teaching Excellence (all semesters)

  • University of CambridgeB.A., LawFirst Class Honors2011

    W.M. Tapp Award

    Paton-Taylor Award

    Senior Scholarship

    Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholarship