Banking and Finance Law Land Use and Zoning Law Real Estate Law
Charles W. "Chip" Russell
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Chip focuses his practice on real estate financing, corporate financing, commercial real estate sales and acquisitions, leasing, zoning, land use, municipal law and public authorities law. He represents numerous lenders, developers and corporations in such areas as commercial lending, borrowing, real estate development and leasing.
Overview
- University of Buffalo Law School, J.D., graduated 1996
- Connecticut, Connecticut State Bar
- New York, New York State Bar
- BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) - member
- Boy Scouts of America Seneca Waterways Council - Board of Directors, previously served as treasurer for three years
- ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) - member
- Monroe County Bar Association - member, past chair of the Real Estate Council
- New York State Bar Association - member, serves on the Executive Committee of the Real Estate Section, co-chairs the Attorney Opinion Letter Committee
- NYSCAR (New York State Commercial Association of Realtors) - member
- Palmer Food Group - member of Board of Directors
- Connecticut, Connecticut State Bar
- New York, New York State Bar
- BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) - member
- Boy Scouts of America Seneca Waterways Council - Board of Directors, previously served as treasurer for three years
- ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) - member
- Monroe County Bar Association - member, past chair of the Real Estate Council
- New York State Bar Association - member, serves on the Executive Committee of the Real Estate Section, co-chairs the Attorney Opinion Letter Committee
- NYSCAR (New York State Commercial Association of Realtors) - member
- Palmer Food Group - member of Board of Directors
- University of Buffalo Law School, J.D., graduated 1996
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Banking and Finance Law, Rochester, NY (2025)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Banking and Finance Law
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Real Estate Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Awards:
- The Daily Record, selected as an Up and Coming Attorney, 2004
- New York Super Lawyers, Real Estate Law
News & Media
Additional Information
- REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Acted as borrower’s counsel in connection with mortgage loans in excess of $500 million secured by mineral rights.
- Represented a Fortune 500 company in connection with its purchase of an approximately 570,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Monroe County.
- Served as borrower’s counsel in connection with a $210 million CMBS refinancing of a regional mall.
- Represented a retail client in connection with a $20,000,000 construction and project loan for redevelopment of an existing retail mall.
- Represented a lender in connection with a $5.85 million leasehold construction loan for the development of a limited service hotel.
- Served as New York counsel to a lender in excess of $20 million for development of a mixed use development at a college campus.
- Served as local counsel to a Real Estate Investment Trust in giving New York enforceability opinions on loan transactions, some in excess of $200 million.
- Assisted large national real estate holding company in the refinancing and sale of a substantial industrial and office park with a purchase price of approximately $55 million.
- Represented regional bank in the sale and leaseback of a portfolio of its bank branches.
- Represented a local lending institution in the acquisition and development of both fee and leasehold properties for use as branch banking locations.
- Acted as lender’s counsel in connection with the financing and refinancing of various aircraft for business purposes, including filings with the FAA and International Registry.
- Represented a state agency in the acquisition and condemnation of an entire city block in Western New York consisting of commercial, municipal and residential property.
- Served as counsel to numerous landlords and tenants in a variety of lease transactions for office and industrial space.
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