Russell Schwartz's experience includes employment and business law, commercial real estate, land use and zoning, and litigation. He has represented broadcasters, cable systems, television programming producers, real estate developers, and other clients with rezoning, subdivision and variance issues. Russell is an authority at working with bureaucracy from local government to the Federal Communications Commission.
From September 2009 through May 2015, Russell held the position of chief operating officer/vice president of administration of United Way of Central Carolinas, where his unique combination of legal, management, media and marketing experience was put to work for the community. In that capacity, he oversaw human relations, finance, IT and other business activities; contributed to media relations; managed outside counsel relationships; negotiated vendor and tenant contracts; and actively participated in fundraising and fundraising strategy for the United Way’s $22.5 million budget.
Prior to that, Russell was senior vice president and general counsel for Bahakel Communications, a Charlotte-based radio and television broadcaster with operations in five states. During his 10 years in that role, he managed relationships with outside counsel and oversaw real estate and station acquisitions and sales, compliance with complex broadcasting operations and advertising sales regulations, and the myriad of corporate and employment law issues inherent in managing a 500-employee business.