Photo of Lanny Russell

Contact Information

Phone: 904.359.7798

Education

  • University of Florida College of Law, J.D., with honors
    • Law Review Senior Executive Editor, Order of the Coif
  • University of South Florida, B.A., cum laude

Bar and Court Admissions

  • The Florida Bar
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • United States District Court
    • Northern District of Florida
    • Middle District of Florida
    • Southern District of Florida

Lanny Russell

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Lanny is a business litigation attorney with more than 35 years of experience in trials, mediations and arbitrations.

Lanny’s practice is centered on the resolution of complex commercial disputes, including administrative law claims, appeals, and class actions.

Lanny works with clients in high value disputes involving the hospitality industry, retail petroleum sales, insurance coverage, real estate development and brokerage, construction, accounting, banking and fiduciary relationships.

Lanny has published writings related to real property litigation and regularly speaks at litigation seminars.

He has twice served on the Jacksonville General Counsel Selection Committee and served as special counsel to the Florida Judicial Qualification Commission. He served as Middle District Representative to the Eleventh Circuit Judicial Conference.

Lanny’s legal work in litigation has been nationally recognized. Best Lawyers in America named him “Jacksonville Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation-Construction in 2021, 2018, 2015 and 2013, Bet-the-Company Litigation in 2020, and in Litigation-Banking and Finance in 2016 and 2014. The Jacksonville Bar Association recognized him as ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in 2001.

Representative Matters

  • Representation of real estate developers and their principal in defense of consolidated civil racketeering and fraud action in connection with sale of high-end residential real estate to approximately 100 individuals.

  • Representation in multistate class actions based on alleged misrepresentations and improper billing against a telecommunications company.

  • Representation of owner of chain of grocery stores against an investment advisor for misrepresenting value of company during an acquisition.

  • Representation of institutional lender in obtaining $24 million dollar judgment against borrower and collection of that judgment through locating and seizing borrower’s account in Swiss bank.

  • Representation of Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission in connection with formal charges against three judges that led to two resignations and one removal, all affirmed by the Supreme Court of Florida.

  • Representation of hotel developer in obtaining arbitration award against general contractor, final judgment against engineer and settlement of claims against architect arising out of defective design and construction of developer’s hotel.

  • Representation of convenience store chain in obtaining injunction against 35 competitor stores requiring those stores’ compliance with the Florida Motor Fuel Practices Act.

  • Representation of Special Investigatory Committee of Jacksonville City Council in matters concerning failed sale of JEA.

Practice Areas

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers in America
    • Lawyer of the Year, Litigation-Construction (2021, 2018, 2015, 2013)
    • Lawyer of the Year, Bet-the-Company Litigation (2020)
    • Lawyer of the Year, Litigation-Banking and Finance (2016, 2014)
  • Florida Super Lawyers
  • Florida Trend Legal Elite
  • AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Jacksonville Bar Association, Lawyer of the Year (2001)

Professional Activities

  • The Florida Bar
    • Constitutional Judiciary Committee
  • Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator
  • Chester Bedell Inn of Court, emeritus
  • Eleventh Circuit Historical Society, Inc., trustee
  • Florida Judicial Qualification Commission, special counsel
  • Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions
  • Fourth Judicial Circuit Grievance Commission, chair
  • Hubbard House Foundation, Inc., Board of Directors, Vice President
  • Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc., Board of Directors and Counsel
  • Jacksonville Bar Association
    • Professionalism Committee, Chair
  • Fourth Judicial Circuit Professionalism Panel
  • Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees, chair
  • University of North Florida, Vice Chair
  • Middle District Court's Grievance Committee
  • Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
  • Fourth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC)