Alexandra Chopin is a cross-border commercial litigator focusing on high-value international commercial, tort, and regulatory disputes and investigations on behalf of global financial institutions, corporations, and foreign sovereign governments.
Her work frequently involves parallel disputes and investigations across multiple jurisdictions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Alexandra also represents clients in regulatory, congressional, and governmental investigations before enforcement authorities in the United States and abroad.
Alexandra is recognized for her success in securing early dismissals of litigation by challenging jurisdiction under the US Constitution and federal statutes with extraterritorial effect, especially the Antiterrorism Act (ATA) and the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA). Alexandra has litigated these issues before federal and state courts at all levels, including in the US Supreme Court.
She also represents publications, broadcast media, and public figures in defamation and First Amendment matters nationwide.
Alexandra is recognized in the Lawdragon 500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management and by The Legal 500 US.
Established that federal law does not prohibit the release of tax returns and compelled disclosure under the Georgia Open Records Act. City of Atlanta v. Corey Ent., Inc., 278 Ga. 474 (2004).
Won dismissal of foreign law claims related to bank financial services. Wultz (S.D.N.Y.).
Won affirmance of the district court’s exclusion of government website pages as inadmissible hearsay, and the grant of summary judgment. Gilmore, 843 F.3d 958 (D.C. Cir. 2016), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 88 (2017).
Defeated jurisdiction over a foreign bank for alleged actions taken outside the United States. O’Neill (S.D.N.Y.), aff’d (2d Cir.), cert. denied (U.S.).
Established appellate precedent confirming due process protection for a foreign government against US jurisdiction. Livnat, 851 F.3d 45 (D.C. Cir. 2017), cert. denied, 139 S.Ct. 373 (2018).
Defeated U.S. jurisdiction in the first decision to interpret the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act of 2018, narrowing the ability of private parties to bring claims under the ATA, 18 U.S.C. § 2333. Klieman, 923 F.3d 1115 (D.C. Cir. 2019).
Secured a Statement of Interest of the United States and Declaration from then-Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken in support of the defendant and persuaded the district court to reduce the requisite supersedeas bond to approximately 1.5% of the jury award. Sokolow, No. 1:04-cv-00397-GBD-RLE (S.D.N.Y. 2015).
Defeated motion to recall mandate and reinstate judgment. Waldman, 925 F.3d 570 (2d Cir. 2019).
Defeated claims against sovereign under the FSIA. D & S Consulting, Inc. v. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 322 F. Supp. 3d 45 (D.D.C. 2018), aff’d 961 F.3d 1209 (D.C. Cir. 2020).
Defeated claims against sovereign under the FSIA. Despotovich dba Tradexim Int’l Co. CA v. Republic of Croatia, No. 21 CIV. 50 (AT), 2022 WL 3447989 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 17, 2022), aff’d (2d Cir. Aug. 7, 2023).
Defeated claims against sovereign under the FSIA. Consulting Concepts Int’l, Inc. v. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, No. 19 CIV. 11787 (AKH), 2021 WL 1226361 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 1, 2021), aff’d No. 21-941-CV, 2022 WL 2236946 (2d Cir. June 22, 2022).
Defeated a highly politicized effort to obtain Supreme Court review by both the House and Senate, winning a supporting brief from the Solicitor General. Waldman, cert. denied, 138 S.Ct. 1438 (2018).
Obtained reversal of a $655.5 million jury award and dismissal of all claims by demonstrating the absence of US jurisdiction. Waldman, 835 F.3d 317 (2d Cir. 2016).
Defended multinational financial institutions and corporations before US House and Senate oversight committees, including the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).
Defended billion-dollar for-profit institutions in U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee investigations, at public hearings, and in related litigation.
Resolved Medicare and Medicaid payment claims litigation on behalf of Hawaii’s largest medical system.
Resolved False Claims Act litigation by negotiating a civil settlement with the Department of Justice on behalf of a national medical laboratory.
Obtained dismissal of False Claims Act litigation on behalf of a for-profit education institution.
Defended private equity investors in leading renewable energy startups in Congressional and Justice Department investigations and related bankruptcy litigation.
Avoided penalties for a leading national renewable energy company in Department of Justice and Department of Treasury Inspector General investigations.
Avoided penalties and secured a no-action letter for a global energy company in Department of Justice antitrust and European competition authority investigations.
Defended a billion-dollar mortgage industry company in litigation and investigations by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and other financial regulatory agencies.
For the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and with a former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, co-led a multi-year monitorship of Fiat Chrysler America’s compliance with federal motor vehicle safety laws and regulations.
District of Columbia
New York
US District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Hon. C. Lynwood Smith, Jr.
B.A., Emory University
J.D., Emory University School of Law, G. Conley Ingram Scholar; Executive Managing Editor, Emory Law Journal