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J. Keith Russell

J. Keith Russell

Partner

Heritage Plaza
1111 Bagby Street
Suite 2100
Houston, TX 77002
T 346.646.6343
keith.russell@nelsonmullins.com
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Keith represents manufacturers and distributors of new motor vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, construction and agricultural equipment, recreational vehicles, emergency response vehicles, marine products, and powersports vehicles, including motorcycles and utility vehicles. He has broad knowledge of the unique regulatory environment in which manufacturers operate.

Keith counsels clients on cutting-edge issues such as ongoing changes in the laws...

Keith represents manufacturers and distributors of new motor vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, construction and agricultural equipment, recreational vehicles, emergency response vehicles, marine products, and powersports vehicles, including motorcycles and utility vehicles. He has broad knowledge of the unique regulatory environment in which manufacturers operate.

Keith counsels clients on cutting-edge issues such as ongoing changes in the laws governing relationships between manufacturers and dealers, manufacturers’ opportunities to directly distribute and provide service for electric and automated vehicles, and the development and enforcement of innovative management agreements governing manufacturers’ relationships with both publicly and privately owned dealership groups.

J. Keith Russell

governing relationships between manufacturers and dealers, manufacturers’ opportunities to directly distribute and provide service for electric and automated vehicles, and the development and enforcement of innovative management agreements governing manufacturers’ relationships with both publicly and privately owned dealership groups.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • Partner, AmLaw 100 (2011–2026)
  • Attorney, J. Keith Russell PC (2007-2011) 
  • Associate, AmLaw 100 (2003-2006)
  • Associate, Texas Firm (1998-2003)

Representative Matters 

  • Represented a heavy-duty truck manufacturer in a precedent setting protest action to reduce a dealer’s assigned territory based on poor sales performance.
  • First-chair representation of construction equipment manufacturer in arbitration resulting in termination of a dealer for breaching the contractual exclusivity obligation. The manufacturer also recovered attorneys’ fees.
  • First-chair representation of heavy-duty truck manufacturer in dispute with ownership group resulting in the sale of the dealerships and payment of the manufacturer’s attorneys’ fees.
  • Lead counsel in successful termination of a powersports dealer for relocating without approval.
  • Representing numerous electric vehicle manufacturers in formulating and implementing their direct-to-consumer distribution model.
  • Developed and assisted with implementation of policies, procedures, and governing agreements in powersports industry (motorcycle, side-by-side, ATV, motor scooter).
  • Successfully represented Class 8 heavy-duty truck manufacturer in formulating policies and procedures to comply with EV mandates and regulations.
  • Assisted numerous motor vehicle, construction equipment and marine products manufacturers with changes in their dealer network through sale, relocation, succession and agreements to renovate or relocate facilities.
  • As lead counsel, successfully represented an automobile manufacturer in protest by a dealer against the establishment of a new dealership, resulting in a unanimous decision in favor of the manufacturer. Responsible for all aspects of trial preparation and trial.
  • Successfully represented a construction equipment manufacturer in an arbitration proceeding to terminate the dealer agreement of a poor-performing dealership. Responsible for depositions, discovery, trial preparation, and examination and cross-examination of fact witnesses.
  • Represented an automobile manufacturer in class certification cases at trial court and on appeal. Heavily involved in extensive class certification and appellate briefings.
  • Lead counsel for manufacturer of emergency response vehicles in acquisition of competitor, consolidation of dealership networks, licensing of manufacturer and its dealers, drafting and implementing new dealership agreements, and resolving various disputes arising out of that process.
  • Represented major petrochemical company in defending a claim of breach of a multi-million dollar supply contract in two-week jury trial in Harris County, Texas. 
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • Partner, AmLaw 100 (2011–2026)
  • Attorney, J. Keith Russell PC (2007-2011) 
  • Associate, AmLaw 100 (2003-2006)
  • Associate, Texas Firm (1998-2003)

Representative Matters 

  • Represented a heavy-duty truck manufacturer in a precedent setting protest action to reduce a dealer’s assigned territory based on poor sales performance.
  • First-chair representation of construction equipment manufacturer in arbitration resulting in termination of a dealer for breaching the contractual exclusivity obligation. The manufacturer also recovered attorneys’ fees.
  • First-chair representation of heavy-duty truck manufacturer in dispute with ownership group resulting in the sale of the dealerships and payment of the manufacturer’s attorneys’ fees.
  • Lead counsel in successful termination of a powersports dealer for relocating without approval.
  • Representing numerous electric vehicle manufacturers in formulating and implementing their direct-to-consumer distribution model.
  • Developed and assisted with implementation of policies, procedures, and governing agreements in powersports industry (motorcycle, side-by-side, ATV, motor scooter).
  • Successfully represented Class 8 heavy-duty truck manufacturer in formulating policies and procedures to comply with EV mandates and regulations.
  • Assisted numerous motor vehicle, construction equipment and marine products manufacturers with changes in their dealer network through sale, relocation, succession and agreements to renovate or relocate facilities.
  • As lead counsel, successfully represented an automobile manufacturer in protest by a dealer against the establishment of a new dealership, resulting in a unanimous decision in favor of the manufacturer. Responsible for all aspects of trial preparation and trial.
  • Successfully represented a construction equipment manufacturer in an arbitration proceeding to terminate the dealer agreement of a poor-performing dealership. Responsible for depositions, discovery, trial preparation, and examination and cross-examination of fact witnesses.
  • Represented an automobile manufacturer in class certification cases at trial court and on appeal. Heavily involved in extensive class certification and appellate briefings.
  • Lead counsel for manufacturer of emergency response vehicles in acquisition of competitor, consolidation of dealership networks, licensing of manufacturer and its dealers, drafting and implementing new dealership agreements, and resolving various disputes arising out of that process.
  • Represented major petrochemical company in defending a claim of breach of a multi-million dollar supply contract in two-week jury trial in Harris County, Texas. 

Media

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Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Chambers USA – Transportation: Road (Automotive) (2025)
  • The Legal 500 United States – Transport: Rail and Road – Litigation (2019-2021)

Professional Activities

  • Texas Bar Association
  • Houston Bar Association: Dispute Resolution Committee Volunteer Mediator (2002-2006)

Community

  • Cub Scout Cubmaster, Den Leader, and Committee Chairman, Boy Scouts of America (2005–2012)
  • Volunteer Mediator/Arbitrator, Houston BBB (2003–2006)

Military

  • Staff Sergeant, United States Army (1986-1991)

Keith represents manufacturers and distributors of new motor vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, construction and agricultural equipment, recreational vehicles, emergency response vehicles, marine products, and powersports vehicles, including motorcycles and utility vehicles. He has broad knowledge of the unique regulatory environment in which manufacturers operate.

Keith counsels clients on cutting-edge issues such as ongoing changes in the laws... governing relationships between manufacturers and dealers, manufacturers’ opportunities to directly distribute and provide service for electric and automated vehicles, and the development and enforcement of innovative management agreements governing manufacturers’ relationships with both publicly and privately owned dealership groups.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • Partner, AmLaw 100 (2011–2026)
  • Attorney, J. Keith Russell PC (2007-2011) 
  • Associate, AmLaw 100 (2003-2006)
  • Associate, Texas Firm (1998-2003)

Representative Matters 

  • Represented a heavy-duty truck manufacturer in a precedent setting protest action to reduce a dealer’s assigned territory based on poor sales performance.
  • First-chair representation of construction equipment manufacturer in arbitration resulting in termination of a dealer for breaching the contractual exclusivity obligation. The manufacturer also recovered attorneys’ fees.
  • First-chair representation of heavy-duty truck manufacturer in dispute with ownership group resulting in the sale of the dealerships and payment of the manufacturer’s attorneys’ fees.
  • Lead counsel in successful termination of a powersports dealer for relocating without approval.
  • Representing numerous electric vehicle manufacturers in formulating and implementing their direct-to-consumer distribution model.
  • Developed and assisted with implementation of policies, procedures, and governing agreements in powersports industry (motorcycle, side-by-side, ATV, motor scooter).
  • Successfully represented Class 8 heavy-duty truck manufacturer in formulating policies and procedures to comply with EV mandates and regulations.
  • Assisted numerous motor vehicle, construction equipment and marine products manufacturers with changes in their dealer network through sale, relocation, succession and agreements to renovate or relocate facilities.
  • As lead counsel, successfully represented an automobile manufacturer in protest by a dealer against the establishment of a new dealership, resulting in a unanimous decision in favor of the manufacturer. Responsible for all aspects of trial preparation and trial.
  • Successfully represented a construction equipment manufacturer in an arbitration proceeding to terminate the dealer agreement of a poor-performing dealership. Responsible for depositions, discovery, trial preparation, and examination and cross-examination of fact witnesses.
  • Represented an automobile manufacturer in class certification cases at trial court and on appeal. Heavily involved in extensive class certification and appellate briefings.
  • Lead counsel for manufacturer of emergency response vehicles in acquisition of competitor, consolidation of dealership networks, licensing of manufacturer and its dealers, drafting and implementing new dealership agreements, and resolving various disputes arising out of that process.
  • Represented major petrochemical company in defending a claim of breach of a multi-million dollar supply contract in two-week jury trial in Harris County, Texas. 

Education

  • University of Houston Law Center, JD, cum laude (1998)

    Articles Editor and Member, Houston Journal of International Law

  • The University of Texas at Austin, BA, Government (1995)

Admissions

  • Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Chambers USA – Transportation: Road (Automotive) (2025)
  • The Legal 500 United States – Transport: Rail and Road – Litigation (2019-2021)
  • Texas Bar Association
  • Houston Bar Association: Dispute Resolution Committee Volunteer Mediator (2002-2006)
  • Cub Scout Cubmaster, Den Leader, and Committee Chairman, Boy Scouts of America (2005–2012)
  • Volunteer Mediator/Arbitrator, Houston BBB (2003–2006)
  • Staff Sergeant, United States Army (1986-1991)