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Lina Ragep Powell
Partner
123 N. Wacker Drive
21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
lina.powell@nelsonmullins.com
Lina is an experienced and versatile litigator with extensive experience in all aspects of complex commercial litigation in federal and state courts. Her practice focuses on major contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and putative class actions, as well as pre-litigation investigations and regulatory matters. Lina assists businesses in a variety of industries including...
Lina is an experienced and versatile litigator with extensive experience in all aspects of complex commercial litigation in federal and state courts. Her practice focuses on major contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and putative class actions, as well as pre-litigation investigations and regulatory matters. Lina assists businesses in a variety of industries including financial services, telecommunications, and technology.
Lina is active in firm leadership, committed to pro bono work, and brings a unique and diverse background to her practice. She is a former Fulbright fellow in Syria where she worked at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
financial services, telecommunications, and technology.
Lina is active in firm leadership, committed to pro bono work, and brings a unique and diverse background to her practice. She is a former Fulbright fellow in Syria where she worked at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
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, Chicago office of an International Law Firm (2023–2024)
- Litigation Associate, Chicago office of an International Law Firm (2016–2022)
Representative Matters
- Successfully represented a financial services company in a class action in federal court alleging breaches of fiduciary duties in connection with individual participant investment advice in 401(k) plans, resulting in dismissal with prejudice.
- Successfully represented and settled through extensive litigation, mediation, and negotiations a matter against an international law firm arising out of alleged claims of professional malpractice, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty.
- Successfully represented tech company in adversary bankruptcy litigation in federal court in connection with a former employee’s misappropriation of trade secrets and breaches of fiduciary duty in leaving a different tech company and bringing with him allegedly proprietary information.
- Successfully represented large broadcasting company in contract dispute over a retransmission consent agreement which implicated Federal Communications Commission regulations, and ultimately led to a favorable settlement.
- Successfully represented global chemical company in multi-million dollar arbitration concerning a dispute over a long-term supply agreement and received favorable settlement.
- Successfully represented and first-chaired trial involving an individual at risk of losing ownership in his home and obtained favorable judgment leading to client taking full ownership of his home.
- Represented numerous incarcerated individuals in Section 1983 civil rights actions, including obtaining a five-figure settlement against Cook County Jail personnel for allegations of harassment based on sexual orientation.
- Successfully represented company in responding to Civil Investigative Demand in investigation by the Department of Justice for practices of alleged violations of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act and obtained a favorable resolution whereby DOJ did not pursue the matter beyond the initial investigation.
- Successfully represented multinational bank in connection with an investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding allegations related to disclosure requirements and obtained a favorable resolution whereby CFPB did not pursue the matter beyond the initial investigation.
- Counseled a leading cryptocurrency payments platform in navigating post-enforcement proceeding landscape and discussions with the New York State Department of Financial Service, including requirements for and implications of a Money Transmitter License and Virtual Currency License.
Education
- University of Wisconsin School of Law, JD, cum laude (2012)
- University of Pennsylvania, MA (2006)
- University of Pennsylvania, BA, cum laude (2006)
Admissions
- Illinois, 2014
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, the Honorable Mary M. Rowland, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (2014 - 2016)
- Law Clerk, the Honorable Karoline Mehalchick, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (2013 - 2014)
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, Chicago office of an International Law Firm (2023–2024)
- Litigation Associate, Chicago office of an International Law Firm (2016–2022)
Representative Matters
- Successfully represented a financial services company in a class action in federal court alleging breaches of fiduciary duties in connection with individual participant investment advice in 401(k) plans, resulting in dismissal with prejudice.
- Successfully represented and settled through extensive litigation, mediation, and negotiations a matter against an international law firm arising out of alleged claims of professional malpractice, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty.
- Successfully represented tech company in adversary bankruptcy litigation in federal court in connection with a former employee’s misappropriation of trade secrets and breaches of fiduciary duty in leaving a different tech company and bringing with him allegedly proprietary information.
- Successfully represented large broadcasting company in contract dispute over a retransmission consent agreement which implicated Federal Communications Commission regulations, and ultimately led to a favorable settlement.
- Successfully represented global chemical company in multi-million dollar arbitration concerning a dispute over a long-term supply agreement and received favorable settlement.
- Successfully represented and first-chaired trial involving an individual at risk of losing ownership in his home and obtained favorable judgment leading to client taking full ownership of his home.
- Represented numerous incarcerated individuals in Section 1983 civil rights actions, including obtaining a five-figure settlement against Cook County Jail personnel for allegations of harassment based on sexual orientation.
- Successfully represented company in responding to Civil Investigative Demand in investigation by the Department of Justice for practices of alleged violations of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act and obtained a favorable resolution whereby DOJ did not pursue the matter beyond the initial investigation.
- Successfully represented multinational bank in connection with an investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding allegations related to disclosure requirements and obtained a favorable resolution whereby CFPB did not pursue the matter beyond the initial investigation.
- Counseled a leading cryptocurrency payments platform in navigating post-enforcement proceeding landscape and discussions with the New York State Department of Financial Service, including requirements for and implications of a Money Transmitter License and Virtual Currency License.
Media
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.
- Best Lawyers Magazine Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation (2024-2025)
Professional Activities
- Arab American Bar Association of Illinois, Judicial Evaluation Committee, Member (2015-present)
Community
- John Howard Association, Board Member (2023–2024)
Lina is an experienced and versatile litigator with extensive experience in all aspects of complex commercial litigation in federal and state courts. Her practice focuses on major contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and putative class actions, as well as pre-litigation investigations and regulatory matters. Lina assists businesses in a variety of industries including... financial services, telecommunications, and technology.
Lina is active in firm leadership, committed to pro bono work, and brings a unique and diverse background to her practice. She is a former Fulbright fellow in Syria where she worked at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
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, Chicago office of an International Law Firm (2023–2024)
- Litigation Associate, Chicago office of an International Law Firm (2016–2022)
Representative Matters
- Successfully represented a financial services company in a class action in federal court alleging breaches of fiduciary duties in connection with individual participant investment advice in 401(k) plans, resulting in dismissal with prejudice.
- Successfully represented and settled through extensive litigation, mediation, and negotiations a matter against an international law firm arising out of alleged claims of professional malpractice, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty.
- Successfully represented tech company in adversary bankruptcy litigation in federal court in connection with a former employee’s misappropriation of trade secrets and breaches of fiduciary duty in leaving a different tech company and bringing with him allegedly proprietary information.
- Successfully represented large broadcasting company in contract dispute over a retransmission consent agreement which implicated Federal Communications Commission regulations, and ultimately led to a favorable settlement.
- Successfully represented global chemical company in multi-million dollar arbitration concerning a dispute over a long-term supply agreement and received favorable settlement.
- Successfully represented and first-chaired trial involving an individual at risk of losing ownership in his home and obtained favorable judgment leading to client taking full ownership of his home.
- Represented numerous incarcerated individuals in Section 1983 civil rights actions, including obtaining a five-figure settlement against Cook County Jail personnel for allegations of harassment based on sexual orientation.
- Successfully represented company in responding to Civil Investigative Demand in investigation by the Department of Justice for practices of alleged violations of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act and obtained a favorable resolution whereby DOJ did not pursue the matter beyond the initial investigation.
- Successfully represented multinational bank in connection with an investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding allegations related to disclosure requirements and obtained a favorable resolution whereby CFPB did not pursue the matter beyond the initial investigation.
- Counseled a leading cryptocurrency payments platform in navigating post-enforcement proceeding landscape and discussions with the New York State Department of Financial Service, including requirements for and implications of a Money Transmitter License and Virtual Currency License.
Education
- University of Wisconsin School of Law, JD, cum laude (2012)
- University of Pennsylvania, MA (2006)
- University of Pennsylvania, BA, cum laude (2006)
Admissions
- Illinois, 2014
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, The Honorable Mary M. Rowland, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (2014 - 2016)
- Law Clerk, The Honorable Karoline Mehalchick, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (2013 - 2014)
Practice Areas
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.
- Best Lawyers Magazine Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation (2024-2025)
- Arab American Bar Association of Illinois, Judicial Evaluation Committee, Member (2015-present)
- John Howard Association, Board Member (2023–2024)
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