Russell Balikian is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. He practices in the firm’s Appellate & Constitutional Law Group and Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice Group. He represents clients in high-stakes litigation before the Supreme Court of the United States and other federal and state courts across the country, as well as in major proceedings before administrative agencies. Russell was named “One to Watch” in Appellate Practice by Best Lawyers in 2023 and a “Rising Star” in Telecommunications by Law360 in 2024.
Russell has extensive experience in administrative law, especially in the telecom and technology sectors. He regularly represents clients challenging or supporting agency rules and orders, and he defends companies against enforcement actions by federal regulators, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Russell brings the capabilities of an appellate attorney to all stages of the case, from building the record before the agency to litigating the case in court.
Russell also has nationwide experience litigating appeals and dispositive motions in high-profile matters, including putative class actions, major commercial disputes, and mass-tort cases. He has represented clients at every level of the federal and state judiciary. Russell also advises clients on appellate strategy and critical legal issues.
Representative Matters:
- Representing trade association in appellate challenge to FCC’s 2024 “net neutrality” order (Sixth Circuit). Previously represented same association seeking Supreme Court review of FCC’s 2015 “net neutrality” order (SCOTUS).
- Representing major mobile carriers in appellate challenge to FCC orders imposing $92 million in penalties regarding location data (D.C. Circuit).
- Representing successor of chemical manufacturer as appellate counsel in nationwide tort litigation.
- Won reversal of bench-trial decision rejecting $421 million breach-of-contract claim (E.D. Virginia).
- Won dismissal of class action alleging that major financial-services company made misleading disclosures about a leading investment product (N.D. California). Won affirmance on appeal (Ninth Circuit).
- Won complex appeal holding that class action against numerous financial entities was impermissibly extraterritorial, and that plaintiff lacked antitrust standing and failed to allege proximate cause for RICO claim (Second Circuit). Successfully opposed petition for certiorari (SCOTUS).
- Won injunction holding that federal law preempted Puerto Rico’s debt-restructuring act (D. Puerto Rico). Twice won affirmance on appeal (First Circuit; SCOTUS).
- Successfully intervened on behalf of satellite operator in support of FCC order transitioning C-Band spectrum for 5G wireless deployment (D.C. Circuit).
- Filed amicus brief on behalf of U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Loper Bright v. Raimondo (2024) addressing the separation-of-powers problems associated with reflexive Chevron deference (SCOTUS).
Russell clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas on the Supreme Court of the United States, Judge Gregory G. Katsas of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and Judge Diane S. Sykes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He received his law degree from Yale Law School, where he was Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Law & Policy Review. He graduated summa cum laude from Taylor University with a bachelor’s degree in both Political Science and Biblical Literature.
Russell is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia.
Capabilities
Credentials
Education:
- Yale University - 2012 Juris Doctor
- Taylor University - 2009 Bachelor of Arts
Admissions:
- District of Columbia Bar
Clerkships:
- US Supreme Court, Hon. Clarence Thomas, 2018 - 2019
- US Court of Appeals, DC Circuit, Hon. Greg Katsas, 2018
- US Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, Hon. Diane S. Sykes, 2012 - 2013