Russell Bittmann, PhD

Russell Bittmann is a Manager in the Antitrust and Competition Practice, specializing in the application of economics and econometrics in monopolization, price-fixing, and mergers matters. His expertise includes damages estimation, merger simulations, and analysis of potential competitive effects. Dr. Bittmann has led teams in conducting analyses in cases with large and intricate data sets in a variety of industries, including electronics, telecommunications, health insurance, and pharmaceuticals.

Cases for which Dr. Bittmann has led analyses and provided expertise include the proposed merger of Penguin Random House and Simon and Schuster and the civil antitrust suit United States v. Google, in which Google allegedly foreclosed competition for internet search. In his analyses, he excels at translating results into clear and accessible information for audiences in all phases of a case and ensuring clients are fully apprised of developments and progress.

In his doctoral studies, Dr. Bittmann specialized in industrial organization, economics of education, and labor economics. His research interests include industrial organization of education markets.

PhD, Economics, University of Chicago

MA, Economics, University of Chicago

BA, Economics (with high distinction), University of Michigan

• On behalf of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in the matter United States et al. v. Google LLC, supported the expert’s analysis of claims that Google illegally maintained monopolies in the markets for general search services, search advertising, and general search text advertising. 
• Supported the expert on behalf of the DOJ in its successful litigation to block the merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster.
• Supported the consulting expert to Radiology Partners in its acquisition of MedNax Radiology Systems.
• In In re Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation, supported testifying expert in estimating damages on behalf of plaintiffs, who allege the four largest US-based Class I railroads conspired to increase the price of rail freight transportation services in the United States by imposing unreasonable fuel surcharges.
• Supported the expert on behalf of three state attorneys general in litigation against Navient Corp. regarding allegations that Navient, a student loan servicer, steered borrowers to forbearances without fully explaining the benefits of income-driven repayment plans, misallocated borrower payments, and demanded borrowers make payments before they were due. 

• Supporting the testimony of experts on behalf of New York and other state Attorneys General litigating to block the merger of Sprint and T-Mobile.

• On behalf of Apple in Apple Inc. v. Qualcomm Inc., supported the liability expert in analyzing the extent of Qualcomm’s market power in modem chipsets, Qualcomm’s conduct with respect to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Apple, and the effects of Qualcomm’s conduct on OEMs and Qualcomm’s rivals.
• In In re Capacitors Antitrust Litigation, supported the expert in submitting expert reports on behalf of several direct action plaintiffs that include large electronic component distributors and contract manufacturers, including Avnet. A California federal jury returned a verdict for Avnet in the amount of $89.2 million.