Russ grew up in Canandaigua and graduated from Marcus Whitman High School.  For almost 30 years he has helped clients with Elder Law, Estate and Trust Planning and Administration, and helped families plan for long term care, including Trusts, Medicaid and Long-Term Care plans.  Russ has also assisted clients buy and sell residential and commercial real estate, also representing lenders in that area.  He is a Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc., the New York State Bar Association and the Ontario County Bar Association.  He is a frequent lecturer to attorneys and community groups on Estate and Medicaid Planning and other issues.

Russ has served on many Boards and Organizations, including the New York State Aging Services Advisory Committee, the Ontario County Office for the Aging Advisory Board, the Thompson Health Ethics Committee, and the ARC Ontario Board of Directors.  He is the Chair of the Canandaigua Foundation, Inc. (80 Parrish Street Senior Apartments and Wilcox Lane Senior Apartments), and past Chair of the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection and the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce. 

Russ lives in Bloomfield with his wife Heather where he is a Town Justice.  He has coached Youth Sports for over 30 years and is currently a Lead Coach with Upstate New York Diving.  His daughter is a trainee with the Nashville Ballet and his son is a Cadet at the United States Air Force Academy.