Email: mrusso@frlawri.com
Admitted to the Bar:
Rhode Island, 1989
Massachusetts, 1989
U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island, 1991
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, 1991
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, 1993
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, 1993
United States Court of Appeals, 2002
United States Court of Federal Claims, 2002
United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia, 2006
Celebrating over 19 years since the firm’s founding, Mark Russo has three decades of experience representing clients in complex litigation matters. Today, many of those matters are litigated before the Rhode Island Superior Court Business Calendar.
An aggressive and tireless representative of his clients in complex litigation and project development matters that span business, real estate, energy and healthcare, Mark Russo is known for resolving often contentious disputes with an even-handed approach that translates into value for all stakeholders.
RECENT LITIGATION HIGHLIGHTS
• After a 41-day trial, secured a complete defense victory for his client on the $14M Sakonnet River Bridge matter.
• Utilized litigation to restructure over $6M in mechanics' liens to allow the South Street Landing Project in Providence to proceed, which now houses the Rhode Island Nursing Education Center.
• Successfully pursued a multi-million dollar property tax challenge involving Twin River Casino which resulted in a stabilization agreement that saved the client approximately $5M and is a benefit to the host community.
RECEIVERSHIPS AND SPECIAL MASTERSHIPS
As a Superior Court-appointed receiver and special master, Mark has been involved in several cases that have changed that practice. He is often appointed to market and sell distressed real estate projects where he has worked closely with various municipalities to secure tax increment financing, tax stabilization/exemption, permitting and other approvals which translate into value for all stakeholders.
As a receiver and special master, Mark has been successful in restructuring and selling entities, such as the Westerly Hospital, a 30-member physician practice, and nursing homes, as well as sand-and-gravel and concrete operations, construction companies, restaurants, golf courses and several other types of business. The restructuring of the Westerly Hospital through a mastership process gained national recognition.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Mark understands the compelling factors to bring development projects to fruition including tax strategies, impact fees, host community agreements, public-private partnerships, joint venture agreements, and development agreements.
In the area of project development, Mark served as lead counsel on the $100M Tiverton Casino Hotel, secured permitting approvals for a 250-room hotel project at Twin River in Lincoln, Rhode Island, and restructured a major sports complex in Tiverton, Rhode Island. Mark has also been involved in a number of major projects from the Masonic Temple redevelopment in Providence to the waterfront in East Providence to the Resource Recovery Industrial Park in Johnston to the expansion of a major manufacturer in Quonset Point.
EDUCATION
Mark is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island (B.A. 1984) and Catholic University of America (J.D. 1988).
