Russell has a commercially based practice with a heavy emphasis on construction, development and real estate in the New York City metropolitan area.  His clients include owners, developers, contractors, architects and engineers, among others.  He also represents clients in many other business sectors including building management and maintenance, hospitality, staffing and retail. His background as a seasoned litigator coupled with years of transactional experience enables him to bring distinctive perspective to any situation.

Russell’s role with many clients is that of outside general counsel.  In construction, he is often involved in each aspect of the project – acquisition, contract drafting, neighbor license agreements, financing, insurance and bonding issues, claims and lien law requirements. He has also litigated a myriad of construction related claims (i.e. payment disputes, delay damages, 881 (access) proceedings, lien foreclosures, trust fund violations, defects and coverage issues).  In addition to his legal experience, Russell gained practical knowledge while managing his own condominium development project in Brooklyn, New York.

In real estate, Russell has substantial experience with sales and acquisitions (multi-family, commercial, vacant land and gas stations), leasing, coop and condo law and has litigated property damage, nuisance, quiet title, adverse possession, trespass and other similar claims. A number of his clients own and manage large real estate portfolios.

For other businesses not related to real estate and construction, Russell provides representation in many areas such as corporate formation, partnership issues, insurance, employment law, mergers and acquisitions, dispute avoidance and resolution.

Many of Russell’s clients have been with him for years.  He has achieved this through his recognition of the importance of customer service.  Consequently he approaches each engagement with the stated intention of creating and maintaining long term client relationships.

In 2007, Russell resigned as an associate from a prominent New York City law firm and started his own practice.  Since then, his hard work, unrelenting drive and commitment to his family and career have resulted in his highly successful business of today.  In greater furtherance of those efforts, Russell joined Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP, a firm that compliments his abilities, enables him to increase his base and provides even better service to his clients.

Russell is admitted to the New York State Bar, the United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of New York and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He graduated from Brooklyn Law School. While in law school, Russell clerked for Justice Laura Jacobson, Supreme Court, Kings County, New York. He also worked part-time as a law clerk at a prominent Manhattan real estate law firm. Russell is a life long resident of Brooklyn, New York where he now resides with his wife and family.