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Overview
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Experience
Introduction
Taylor is a versatile litigator whose clients entrust her to tackle a wide variety of business disputes.
Taylor Russell focuses on high-stakes commercial litigation, with experience in breach of contract, business torts, unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation, and complex real estate disputes—including receiverships and unlawful detainers. She counsels clients on brand management and litigates IP matters, such as trademarks, trade dress, copyright infringement, and false advertising. In her employment practice, Taylor defends national employers in cases involving wrongful termination, discrimination, and unlawful retaliation.
Taylor brings practical litigation experience to clients in various industries, including real estate, retail, wholesale, technology, e-commerce, financial services, publishing, and construction. Her broad subject matter knowledge makes her a trusted resource for companies facing critical challenges.
Taylor handles all stages of pretrial litigation, including conducting factual investigations, managing e-discovery productions, liaising with fact and expert witnesses, and handling discovery, depositions, and motions. Her approach extends to trial preparation in state and federal courts, including motions in limine, voir dire, jury instructions, and verdicts. While Taylor is well equipped to prepare cases for trial, she is also skilled at developing creative and practical resolutions for clients through alternate dispute resolution. She facilitates prompt settlements through informal negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
Taylor is also committed to pro bono work. She recently obtained a favorable order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in a case recognizing due process rights of indigent death row prisoners. Following additional briefing, the Supreme Court of the United States denied the petitioners’ petition for writ of certiorari, further securing the victory. She also supports the National Veterans Legal Services Program in assisting veterans with discharge statuses.
Taylor’s research and written and oral advocacy help deliver positive outcomes for clients. In addition to these hallmark lawyering skills, Taylor also uses legal technology and AI to improve efficiency and strengthen her legal work. Clients appreciate her detail-oriented approach, responsiveness, and dedication.
Education & credentials
- UCLA School of Law, J.D., Staff Editor, Criminal Justice Law Review, 2020
- University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A., Sociology and Spanish, summa cum laude, 2012
- California
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- Perkins Coie, Century City, CA, Summer Associate, 2019
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Los Angeles, CA, Judicial Extern, 2018
- Acumen Law, LLP, Glendale, CA, Senior Paralegal & Hearing Representative, 2013-2017
Confirmed Favorable Arbitration Award and Obtained an Order Awarding Attorneys’ Fees and Costs
PhotoFixItPro, Inc. v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, United States District Court, Central District of California
Prepared a winning motion to confirm an arbitration award and successfully opposed a motion to vacate the same award. Prepared a successful fee motion, which resulted in an order awarding attorneys’ fees and costs to our client.
Litigated Successful Appeal and Obtained Significant Appellate Fee Award for Client
PhotoFixItPro, Inc. v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Prepared a winning appellate brief, which resulted in dismissal of an appeal adverse to our client. Prepared a successful fee motion, which resulted in an order awarding the client all requested fees and costs actually incurred in litigating the appeal.
Dismissal of Claims Against Employer
Killebrew v. Topbuild Inc. et al., United States District Court, Central District of California
Assisted with successful motion for summary judgment, which resulted in dismissal of claims against a national employer.
Obtained Nominal Settlement on Behalf of Employer
United States District Court, Northern District of California
Drafted a strategic mediation brief integral to the negotiation of a nominal settlement of age discrimination and disability discrimination claims asserted against a large technology company.
United States District Court, Central District of California
Prepared a thorough mediation brief, styled like a summary judgment motion, which was crucial to negotiating an early and favorable settlement of discrimination claims asserted against a national internet service provider.
Obtained Early Dismissal of Claims Against Trademark Holder
Inkit, Inc. v. Nintex UK Ltd. et al., United States District Court, Central District of California
Prepared a successful Rule 12(b) motion, which resulted in dismissal of all claims against the client, including claims for declaratory relief and trademark cancellation.
Prepared Successful Daubert Motion and Engaged in Significant Trial Strategy and Preparation
Southwestern MFG, LLC v. Advance Stores Company, Inc. dba Advance Auto Parts et al., United States District Court, Central District of California
Drafted successful Daubert motion, which precluded the opposing party from relying upon their expert witness’s testimony at trial. Engaged in significant trial preparation and strategy before ultimately settling the matter out of court.
Successful Appeal on Behalf of Death Row Prisoners
Redd v. Guerrero, et al., United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Patricia Guerrero, et al. v. Redd, Supreme Court of the United States
Secured a favorable order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which found that a class of indigent death row prisoners plausibly alleged that California’s failure to timely appoint habeas corpus counsel violated their due process rights, reversing the district court’s order dismissing the complaint. After further briefing, the Supreme Court of the United States denied the petitioners’ petition for writ of certiorari, further securing the victory.
Litigated Successful Appeal and Negotiated Settlement on Behalf of Receiver
Kennedy v. Kennedy, et al., Court of Appeal of the State of California, Second Appellate District
Kennedy v. Kennedy et al., Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles
Prepared an extensive appellate brief on behalf of a receiver who had been appointed to sell real estate assets. The appeal resulted in no adverse rulings against the client. The appeal did not disturb a trial court order that approved the receiver’s multimillion-dollar accounting, and the court found that the receiver did not engage in any wrongful conduct, contrary to the opposing parties’ accusations.
Upon remand, obtained an order approving a joint stipulation regarding the receiver’s final accounting.
Obtained Dismissal of Counterclaims Against Property Owner
NikkiNitro LLC v. Rodriguez, et al., Superior Court of California, San Mateo County
Drafted a winning demurrer, resulting in dismissal of several counterclaims against a property owner, including claims for injunctive relief, equity indemnity, and unlawful competition under California Business and Professions Code section 17200.
Multimillion-Dollar Private Settlement for Commercial Landlord
United States District Court, Northern District of California
Obtained multimillion-dollar settlement for landlord alleging $40 million in damages against a former tenant due to its failure to maintain the premises and destruction of property.
Negotiated Settlement for Commercial Tenant
Negotiated and secured a reasonable settlement on behalf of a commercial tenant whose landlord demanded significant repairs and restoration costs.
Secured Eviction of Commercial Tenant
Facilitated a commercial tenant’s surrender of the premises on behalf of a commercial landlord in an unlawful detainer matter, without the expense of court intervention.