Russ is a native of Clinton, Maryland, and worked for several years as a software engineer after graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Sciences (with concentrations in Physics, Computer Science, and Mathematics). He then moved to Miami, Florida, where he attended law school on an academic scholarship at St. Thomas University School of Law. During law school, Russ was an editor of the school's law review, was professionally published, and was the president of the local chapter of the largest legal fraternity in the nation (Phi Alpha Delta). Russ graduated law school and received a J.D. with academic honors. He then went on to continue his education at New York University where he received a Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.) in the top federal taxation law program in the country.
Russ built his legal career in New York where he worked for a well known international tax law firm designing large estate plans. He was then recruited by one of the Big Four accounting firms as a federal tax manager to service their largest corporate clients. Russ has a significant amount of international planning experience as he has transacted business in over 50 countries.
Russ has built his practice in Longmont primarily working with families and business owners. His practice centers on basic and complex estate planning, probate and estate administration, asset protection, disability and special needs planning, planning for unmarried couples (including same-sex estate planning), and business law and entity design (with the related corporate and partnership taxation planning).
Russ is always willing to discuss strategy and answer questions. As part of his professional philosophy, he thinks it is important for legal consumers to have the ability to easily and inexpensively gather multiple opinions on planning matters.
In addition to being licensed to practice law in Colorado, Russ is actively licensed in New York and regularly works with the extensive network of international service providers he has established.
Additionally, one of the most important aspects of his current practice is donating services and time to the under-served members of his community. Russ is committed to donating a consistent portion of his time to pro bono work. This pursuit allows him to work with individuals who have a significant need for legal planning but do not enjoy regular access to legal professionals.
Russ belongs to various estate planning, charitable, and legal organizations in Colorado, including the Colorado Bar Association, the Boulder County Bar Association, the Boulder County Estate Planning Council, and RSVP of Boulder County, where he currently serves as board chair.
Russ is married to M. Carolina Lombardy, a member of the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley. Russ and Carolina spend as much time as their busy schedules allow hiking, snowshoeing, camping, mountain biking, and generally playing in the Rocky Mountains that border Longmont.
