Russell Shapiro

Russell Shapiro is a member of the firm’s Corporate Group, an area in which he has practiced for his entire career, focusing in particular on mergers and acquisitions. Russell's industry insight and his clients' diverse business objectives have shown him that every transaction demands its own solutions. As a result, he is committed to listening to his clients, understanding their business, and designing transactions to meet their specific strategic goals. Russell’s more than three decades of successful practice in this area have allowed him to serve as an expert witness in merger disputes.

Russell's insight on tax and finance issues is deepened considerably by his status as a certified public accountant, giving him a nuanced understanding of his clients' needs and the ability to craft the most effective tax and finance strategies. Russell’s background has led him to develop especially deep experience representing accounting firms, where he regularly assists with partnership agreements, mergers and acquisitions, and the enforcement of restrictive covenants. He performs similar work for other professional services firms, including law firms, consulting firms and investment banks.

Russell also advises professional services firms and investors on Management Services Organization (MSO) structures, including the formation and operation of MSOs, affiliated operating or professional entities, and related governance and services arrangements. His MSO experience frequently arises in connection with platform transactions, succession planning, private equity investments, and complex firm combinations in regulated and professional services environments.

In the last several years, Russell has worked on a number of nationally recognized accounting firm mergers, including PKF O'Connor Davies & private equity firms Investcorp and PSP Investments, Marks Paneth and CBIZ; Berdon and Citrin Cooperman; Lurie and EisnerAmper; Baker Tilly and Henry+Horne; and Aprio and Aronson, and many others. Russell has compiled a list of resources for accounting firms here.

Russell also serves as outside general counsel to a variety of privately held companies that average between $20 million and $500 million in sales.

Russell served more than a decade as the head of LP’s Corporate & Securities practice. Russell was also the Chair of the firm’s Transactional Practice Area.