New Jersey Business Lawyer New York Business Lawyer New Jersey Contract Lawyer New York Contract Lawyer New Jersey Partnership Agreement lawyer New York Partnership Agreement Lawyer Buying a Business Selling a Business Small Business Disputes New Jersey Arbitration Lawyer New York Arbitration Lawyer New York Arbitrator New Jersey Arbitrator New Jersey Operating Agreement Lawyer New York Operating Agreement Lawyer Flat Fee Free Consultation

Louis A. Russo — New York and New Jersey Business Lawyer

929-262-1101

lrusso@russolaw-llc.com

Louis A. Russo — known to his clients as Lou — is the founder of Russo Law LLC, a boutique business law firm serving entrepreneurs, business owners, and companies throughout New York and New Jersey.

With nearly 20 years of experience — including training at some of the country's most prestigious AmLaw 100 firms — Lou brings large-firm sophistication to the practical, responsive representation that growing businesses actually need.

Recognized as a Super Lawyer in the New York Metro area every year from 2022 through 2026, and as a Rising Star from 2017 through 2021, Louis has built a reputation for getting deals done, resolving disputes efficiently, and serving as a trusted long-term legal advisor to business owners across a wide range of industries.

Lou also regularly represents foreign business owners and international companies involved in disputes with domestic actors in New York and New Jersey.

Experience & Background

Before founding Russo Law LLC in 2019, Louis spent over a decade at the country's top business law firms AmLaw100 handling complex commercial matters for sophisticated clients:

This background means clients of Russo Law LLC receive the caliber of legal work typically associated with large firms — with the direct access, responsiveness, and cost-efficiency of a boutique practice.

Business Transactions

Lou has served as lead counsel in business acquisitions and sales ranging from small owner-operated businesses to transactions valued at up to $15 million. His transactional experience spans a wide range of industries, including:

  • Restaurants, pizzerias, and national restaurant franchises
  • Medical and behavioral health practices
  • Physical therapy and psychology practices
  • Cannabis dispensaries and brewing companies
  • Pest control, maid service, and other franchise businesses
  • Insurance agencies and staffing firms
  • Student housing, short-term rentals, and real estate
  • Pyrotechnic companies and specialty manufacturers
  • Art, fitness, and wellness businesses

Whether you are buying a business or selling a business, Russo Law LLC guides clients through every stage — from the letter of intent through due diligence, purchase agreement negotiation, pre-closing requirements, and closing.

Business Disputes & Commercial Litigation

Lou represents business owners, LLC members, shareholders, and partners in commercial disputes throughout New York and New Jersey — in state and federal courts, mediation, and before arbitration panels. He is admitted to practice in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of New Jersey.

In addition to representing clients in disputes, Louis serves as a neutral arbitrator for both FINRA and the American Arbitration Association (AAA), having served as arbitrator and chair in over 20 arbitrations since 2020. This dual perspective — as both advocate and neutral — gives him a unique understanding of how disputes are evaluated and decided.

Outside General Counsel

Russo Law LLC serves as outside general counsel to companies across a range of industries, including financial research, data management, international recruitment, cosmetics, IT consulting, and project engineering.

As outside general counsel, Lou functions as his clients' on-call business lawyer — handling contracts, governance, disputes, and day-to-day legal questions as they arise.

Honors & Recognition

Arbitration Appointments

Lou serves as a neutral arbitrator in addition to his transactional and litigation practice

Lou also served as a delegate for the United Nations (UN) Commission on International Trade Law Working Group on Arbitration and Conciliation (2016)

Teaching & Publications

Lou previously served as Adjunct Professor of International Commercial Arbitration at Hofstra Law.

Some of his published work include:

  • "Waiving Goodbye to Fiduciary Duties" — New York Business Journal, 2018
  • "E-Disclosure Bytes: Managing ESI in International Commercial Arbitration" — Mealey's Litigation Discovery Report, 2018
  • "Professional Liability Claims" — Resolving Insurance Claim Disputes Before Trial, ABA Book Publishing, 2018
  • "The Evolving Landscape of Third-Party Funding in International Arbitration" — Mealey's International Arbitration Report, 2017
  • "Uber's Online Terms and Conditions Invoking Arbitration Receives 5 Stars" — Inside Counsel, 2015
  • "New York's Highest Court Rejects Attempt to Compel Nonsignatory to Arbitrate" — Young ICCA Blog, 2015
  • "New Curbs on Arbitrator Interviews" — Global Arbitration Review, 2013
  • "Navigating the Complexities of International Arbitration" — Bloomberg BNA, 2014
  • "How Morrison Inadvertently Broadens Extraterritorial Actions" — New York Law Journal, 2012
  • Featured, Bloomberg Law Report — Securities Laws (Judge Rakoff/SEC-Citigroup), 2012
  • "The Consequences of Arbitrating a Legal Malpractice Claim: Rebuilding Faith in the Legal Profession" — Hofstra Law Review, Vol. 35, 2006

Lou also authors the Russo Law LLC Blog, covering practical legal topics for business owners in New York and New Jersey — including contracts, buying and selling businesses, business disputes, and outside general counsel issues.

Additional publications available upon request.

Media Mentions

Bar Admissions

  • New York (2008)
  • New Jersey (2007)
  • Southern District of New York
  • Eastern District of New York
  • District of New Jersey

Education

Schedule a Consultation

Call 929-262-1101 or schedule a free consultation to discuss how Russo Law LLC can help you and your business throughout New York and New Jersey