Theresa Russo

Theresa Russo is a member of Wilson Elser’s Albany, NY-based Government Relations practice and heads the firm’s Hospitality practice. She has extensive experience assisting clients in both New York State and New York City in liquor licensing and lobby law compliance – two distinct and dynamic areas in which she has become one of the State’s leading attorneys.

Theresa previously worked in the New York City Legislative Office under former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and worked with Governor David A. Paterson during his tenure as deputy minority leader of the New York State Senate. Her background as a lobbyist provides her with a unique perspective into her clients’ most complicated legal issues and enables her to devise creative solutions through negotiation, litigation, or a change in the law or regulation When a client comes to Theresa with a problem in the liquor licensing area, for example, she draws upon her working relationship with regulators at the highest levels of the State Liquor Authority in order to reach a satisfactory conclusion. 

Theresa places a high premium on client service. She ensures her team’s accessibility as well as strict adherence to a policy whereby phone calls and emails are returned promptly

AREAS OF FOCUS

Liquor Licensing
Theresa provides legal services to restaurants, bars, hotels, caterers, cruise lines, liquor stores, wholesalers and other businesses on a broad array of liquor law issues such as new liquor licenses, renewals, corporate changes, approvals for establishment alterations, 500 Foot hearings and Community Board meetings, obtaining permits for offsite special events, as well as disciplinary matters. Theresa can help businesses navigate the often complex liquor licensing process and offer clients peace-of-mind, as well as significant savings in both time and money.

Wilson Elser has been designated as preferred counsel to the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Industry for their liquor law matters. In addition, Theresa is the New York member of the Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys and Consultants.

Lobby Law Compliance
Theresa has been Wilson Elser’s lobby law compliance officer for more than a decade, providing guidance to the firm and our lobbying clients on registration, bi-monthly reports, audits, investigations, gifts and other issues. Given Theresa’s experience in this arena, she also acts as in-house lobby law counsel to many companies in New York State. Most companies and organizations in New York State and New York City do not fully understand the new lobby laws and how they can affect their business.Theresa educates and trains their employees, sets up systems for capturing and reporting lobbying activity, and ensures that the company or organization is in compliance and not subject to penalties or adverse press.

On a daily basis, Theresa interfaces with the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) and the Office of the City Clerk in New York City. Theresa provides clients with lobby report filing guidance and represents them in civil penalty hearings and audits. She teaches CLE courses on the constantly evolving lobbying laws in New York State and New York City.