Russell, Charles (Chip) W.

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.

Representative Matters

Served as counsel to a pharmaceutical company in a $26 million sale and leaseback transaction.
Represented a client in the acquisition of vacant land and the development of a 135,000 square foot industrial agricultural facility. Later, represented the same client in a sale and leaseback transaction involving the same facility. Also assisted the same client with leasing five distribution locations across New York State.
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.

Professional and Civic

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
BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association), member
ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers), member
NYSCAR (New York State Commercial Association of Realtors), member
Boy Scouts of America Seneca Waterways Council, Board of Directors, previously served as treasurer for three years
Palmer Food Group, member of Board of Directors

Recognition

Best Lawyers, Banking and Finance Law; Land Use and Zoning Law, since 2021
Chambers USA, Band 1, Upstate New York – Real Estate, since 2017
Best Lawyers, Real Estate Law, since 2011
Super Lawyers, Real Estate Law, 2008 – 2012, and since 2017
The Daily Record, selected as an Up and Coming Attorney, 2004

Legal Practices

Commercial Real Estate

Industry Teams

Cannabis

Financial Institutions and Capital Markets

Food and Beverage

Real Estate Developers

State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law

1995

State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law

Cert

1995

Syracuse University

1989

cum laude

June 21, 2022

Expiration of Tax Exemption Creates Uncertainties for Affordable Housing Construction in New York City

The 421-a tax exemption and rent stabilization program, also known as the affordable housing tax break, which affords real estate developers

October 12, 2021

New York State Eviction Moratorium Extended through 1/15/2022

In order to address the August 31, 2021 expiration of various New York State eviction and foreclosure moratoria, and in light of the United

October 10, 2021

Additional Eviction Obstacles For New York Landlords

A federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that was scheduled to expire on July 31, 2021,

July 2, 2021

New York Emergency Rental Assistance Program Provides Relief for Tenants, Landlords

On June 1, 2021, New York State began accepting applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), the newest state economic r

May 6, 2021

New York Extends the Moratorium on COVID-related Commercial Residential Evictions and Foreclosure Proceedings Until August 31, 2021

On Tuesday May 4, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed an extension of the “COVID-19 Emergency Protect Our Small Businesses Act of 2021” (collectivel

May 3, 2021

Applications Open for Restaurant Revitalization Fund through Coronavirus Relief Package

U.S. restaurants are among the businesses hardest hit by the pandemic over the past 14 months. According to the National Restaurant Associat

March 11, 2021

Help or Harm? New Legislation Aimed at Helping Tenants and Borrowers Impacted by COVID Causes Concern for Landlords and Lenders

In his recent State of the State Address, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo indicated a desire to stay mortgage foreclosures, commercial evicti

March 1, 2021

Charles (Chip) W. Russell

Member

Representative Matters

Professional and Civic

Recognition

Legal Practices

Industry Teams

Admissions

State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law

State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law

Syracuse University

Location

Expiration of Tax Exemption Creates Uncertainties for Affordable Housing Construction in New York City

New York State Eviction Moratorium Extended through 1/15/2022

Additional Eviction Obstacles For New York Landlords

New York Emergency Rental Assistance Program Provides Relief for Tenants, Landlords

New York Extends the Moratorium on COVID-related Commercial Residential Evictions and Foreclosure Proceedings Until August 31, 2021

Applications Open for Restaurant Revitalization Fund through Coronavirus Relief Package

Help or Harm? New Legislation Aimed at Helping Tenants and Borrowers Impacted by COVID Causes Concern for Landlords and Lenders

United States District Court Finds CDC Order Exceeds Constitutional Power Granted to Federal Government

New York State Adopts COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act

Yet Another Change to COVID-era Residential Eviction Regulations in New York

Changing Landscape of Evictions in Light of New Administrative Law Order in New York

Temporary Bank Forbearance on Loans Due to COVID-19 Hardships

Executive Order Temporarily Authorizes “Virtual Notarization” in New York State

Commercial Landlords and Tenants Face Contractual Questions in Wake of COVID-19 Pandemic

Disclosures for LLC Entities Now Required for 1-to-4 Family Residential Real Estate Transactions

Recent Decision Narrows Commercial Tenants’ Recourse to Yellowstone Injunctions

White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council to Facilitate Investment in Opportunity Zones