Russell combines the attributes of a jack-of-all-trades and a trusted advisor. His involvement in public service and civil rights set him apart as an experienced lawyer of substance and integrity.
Overview
Russell counsels companies in the energy, communications and technology industries on regulatory and corporate issues. He champions these entities in administrative proceedings, litigation and advocacy efforts, and provides strategic and corporate advice. He has represented clients before the Executive Branch, Congress, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), state utility commissions, state legislatures, federal courts and has testified before Congressional committees.
Russell balances the myriad regulatory and corporate concerns of three seemingly disparate sectors with ease. His clients benefit from his multifaceted experience representing the interests of the energy and telecommunications industries, advising on changing regulations, rate issues, Smart Grid deployment, electric energy restructuring, and mergers and acquisitions.
Experience
Russell has served as special telecommunications counsel to several large municipalities and testified before several Congressional committees.
He has handled complex regulatory and public affairs matters including Offshore Wind, Uber's entry into Maryland, Smart Grid deployment, mergers and acquisitions, telecommunications deregulation and electric industry restructuring.
For energy and communications clients, Russell draws on his experience as CEO of the Competitive Telecommunications Association (now INCOMPAS), the largest association representing competitive facilities-based carriers, providers using unbundled network elements, global integrated communications companies and their supplier partners.
Before joining the firm, Russell was chairman of the Maryland Public Service Commission. During his tenure, the commission was renowned for its pro-competitive policies in telecommunications, gas and electricity matters.
Active in public affairs and civil rights, Russell was counsel to the Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund and represented it before the U.S. Supreme Court in the Croson case. He served as counsel of record for the Congressional Black Caucus before the Supreme Court in the Adarand case.
Russell also has experience serving on a multi-state S&P 500 energy company and a Fortune 1000 telecommunications company.
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
Russell speaks regularly before industry conferences, financial analysts and Congressional committees on communications and technology issues.
- Panelist, "State Reverse Pre-emption," National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) 129th Annual Meeting and Education Conference, Baltimore, MD, November 11, 2017
- Panelist, “Telecom Hot Topics,” 2014 MARC Annual Meeting, June 3, 2014
- “USF, Intercarrier Compensation and the Future of Telecom,” 2014 MTA Convention, March 25, 2014
- 2014 NIST Cybersecurity Framework Webinar, February 20, 2014
Publications
Quote, "Small 3.5 GHz Licenses Helps Industrial Tech, FCC Told," Law360, March 2018
FCC Releases Order to Relieve Telecommunications Funding Crisis for Rural Healthcare Providers
"The Smart Grid: The Complexities and Importance of Data Privacy and Security," Journal of Communications Law and Policy, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2011
"The First Great Telecom Debate of the 21st Century," Journal of Communications Law and Policy, Vol. 15, November 2, 2007
Recognitions
Recognitions
Energy Bar Association State Regulatory Practitioner Award, 2019
ABA Section of Administration Law and Regulatory Practice, Senior Section Fellow
Administrative Conference of the United States, Senior Fellow
Selected to the 2020 and 2021 editions of Best Lawyers in America©/Administrative and Regulatory Law
Selected for inclusion in Washington, DC Super Lawyers®, Communications, 2010 - 2019
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
American Bar Association
- Board of Governors, Delegate from the Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section, and Chair of Governance Committee
- Standing Committee on Governmental Affairs, Past Chair
- Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section, Chair 2008-2009, Fellow
- ABA Conference of Minority Partners, Past Secretary
- Standing Committee on Law and National Security
- ABA House of Delegates
Vice Chair, Maryland Commission on African American History and CultureNational Urban League, Senior Energy Advisor
Pepco Holdings, Inc., Board of Directors
PAETEC Holdings, Inc., Board of Directors
Maryland Public Service Commission, Past Chair
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, Vice Chair Telecommunications Committee
Federal Communication Bar Association, Diversity Committee, Co-Chair
American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
Maryland State Bar Association
Maryland Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
District of Columbia Bar Association
Federal Communications Bar Association
Energy Bar Association
Mayor's Committee on Solar Initiatives, Baltimore
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, Founding Chair
Afro-American Newspapers
Baltimore Museum of Art
Baltimore Urban League
B&O Railroad Museum
United Way of Central Maryland
Maryland Historical Society
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- District of Columbia, 1978
- Maryland, 1975
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
Yale University, J.D., 1975
Swarthmore College, B.A., 1972
