Russ won a precedent setting decision with national implications on behalf of a New York-based dealership group before the New York Court of Appeals on certified questions from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The Second Circuit asked the New York Court of Appeals to interpret two provisions of New York’s Franchised Motor Vehicle Dealer Act involving sales performance standards and franchise modifications. Beck Chevrolet Co., Inc. v General Motors LLC.

In a case of first impression, Russ litigated a first case under the price discrimination provisions of New York’s dealer act, in which the Appellate Division affirmed the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of two dealers that certain Audi incentive programs were unlawful. Audi of Smithtown Inc. v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

In another case of first impression, Russ defeated a motion to dismiss by the engine and powertrain subsidiary of a heavy truck manufacturer. The court agreed that the subsidiary’s attempt to terminate the engine and powertrain franchise could be tantamount to an attempt to terminate the truck franchise and that the truck franchisor could be held liable for the acts of its subsidiary under New York’s dealer act. 

Russ successfully represented a group of Audi dealers seeking money damages caused by the addition of a new Audi dealership in and near their market areas. Commenced before the New York Legislature passed a relevant market area statute, Russ defeated Audi’s motion for summary judgment to dismiss the dealers’ breach of contract claims. The Appellate Division affirmed the trial court’s decision that the non-exclusive territory provision in the Audi dealer agreement did not preclude the dealers’ claims asserting breaches of other provisions of the dealer agreement and the breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Matter successfully resolved. Legend Autorama Ltd. v. Audi of America, Inc.

In the General Motors bankruptcy, Russ represented one of the three dealer-members of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors and filed an amicus curiae brief on behalf of a major regional automobile dealers association. In addition, he represented one of the handful of General Motors dealers that successfully convinced GM post-bankruptcy to be reinstated prior to Congress’ enactment of the arbitration legislation.

In the Chrysler bankruptcy, Russ represented a group of over 23 dealers whose franchise agreements were rejected. He obtained awards of administrative claims for several of those dealers. In addition, Russ successfully resolved a post-bankruptcy dispute between Chrysler Group and a continuing dealer concerning whether “New Chrysler” could cause “Old Chrysler” to reject a market action agreement with that dealer.

In the non-automotive arena, Russ represented the prevailing defendants in one of the seminal RICO opinions issued by the Second Circuit. In First Capital Asset Management v. Satinwood Inc., the Second Circuit affirmed the decision of the District Court dismissing RICO claims asserted against several foreign individuals and entities because the plaintiffs failed to adequately allege fraud-based RICO predicates and plead a pattern of racketeering activity.

Russ also represented a large medical group in its lawsuit against a non-physician concerning the legality of the business arrangements among them. He obtained summary judgment against the non-physician declaring the business arrangements constituted unlawful fee slipping and were unenforceable. The decision was affirmed on appeal.

Russ is a member of the National Association of Dealer Counsel and an Allied Member of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.