Russell C. Savrann
Russell C. Savrann
Position
Principal
Firm
Sandman Savrann PLLC, Admitted to Bar, 1987 (MA), 1988 (FL), 2003 (NY), 2004 (CT), 2009 (WA)
Tel
Practice
Sandman Savrann PLLC – Principal
RISA Hospitality Solutions LLC – Principal (President RISA Technology)
Russ works with hotel, restaurant, and national association clients on strategic planning, transactions, franchising and operational matters, including mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate organization, management agreements, franchise, beverage licensing, intellectual property, sales, marketing, construction, sustainable practices and procurement. Russ has worked with national and international developers and hospitality companies on global transactions including mixed-use resort projects throughout the United States. Russ is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in the category of Leisure and Hospitality Law.
Russ has assisted the start up of small cap companies with strategic and business planning, corporate organization and compliance, employment, capitalization and joint venture partnerships. In addition to hospitality law, Russ has experience in the areas of real estate, technology, employment, commercial litigation and bankruptcy.
Prior to co-founding Sandman Savrann, Russ was a partner at Miller Nash Graham & Dunn and served as a principal in the Hospitality Industry Group. Russ’ substantial knowledge of the hotel industry is a result of his term as Vice President and Associate General Counsel & Assistant Secretary of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. from 2000-2005, where he represented several business groups, including development, sales and marketing, group business, intellectual property (worldwide), operations, food & beverage, architecture, design and construction, technology (Galaxy Hotel Systems and STARS) and procurement.
As Acting General Counsel, Director of Legal Affairs & Corporate Secretary at The Ground Round, Inc., from 1994-2000 Russ served within the executive management team of a national franchise company that owned, managed and franchised over 200 casual dining restaurants throughout the USA and Canada. During Russ’s term, Ground Round was a public company, was taken private, sold and refinanced.
From 1987-1994 Russ worked in private practice in the Boston market as an associate of well respected law firms providing commercial litigation, franchise and commercial transaction counsel.
Russ offices primarily in Guilford, CT, Boston, MA, and New York NY, and serves Sandman Savrann’s clients regionally and nationally.
Professional and Community Activities
- Principal, Retro Hospitality, LLC – Richmond, VA
- Advisory Counsel, Hotel Lodging Legal Summit, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC
- Member, NEHOR – New England Hotel Owners Roundtable – Boston University School of Hospitality – Boston, MA
- Advisory Council, Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts – Amherst, MA
- Guest Lecturer, Johnson School of Business, Cornell University –Ithaca, NY
- Guest Lecturer, Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
- Founder, Northeast Hotel Investment Forum – Boston, MA
- Founder, Hospitality Industry Powder Summit – Vail, CO
- Founder, Northeast Lodging Roundtable – New Haven, CT
- Member, Massachusetts State Bar Association
- Member, Florida State Bar Association
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- Member, Connecticut State Bar Association
- Member, Washington State Bar Association
Education
Presentations and Publications
- Host, Tenth Annual Hospitality Industry Powder Summit, Sun Valley, Ketchum, Idaho, February 27- March 1, 2020.
- Advisor, “Introduction to Business and Entrepreneurship”, College of Business, University of New Haven, February 17, 2020.
- Panelist, “Alternative Careers for Hospitality Attorneys”, Georgetown Law Hotel Lodging Legal Summit, October 23, 2019.
- Moderator, “What are you looking for in a Management Company” The Lodging Conference, Phoenix, September 24, 2019.
- Moderator, “Getting the Most out of your Hotel, Insights from Asset Management” Northeast Hotel Investment Forum, May 1, 2019.
- Host, Ninth Annual Hospitality Industry Powder Summit, Vail, Colorado February 6-10, 2019.
- Moderator, “Soft Brands Explained” Northeast Hotel Investment Forum, November 1, 2018.
- Moderator, “Debt Availability” The Lodging Conference, Phoenix, September 25, 2018.
- Moderator, “Opportunities and Challenges of Developing, Financing and Operating Hotels in the New England Market from the Perspective of Owners and Operators” Northeast Hotel Investment Forum, May 3, 2018.
- Host, Eighth Annual Hospitality Industry Powder Summit, Vail, Colorado February 7-10, 2018.
- Moderator, “Accessing Capital” The Lodging Conference, Phoenix, October 31, 2017.
- Host, Seventh Annual Hospitality Industry Powder Summit, Vail, Colorado February 8-11, 2017
- Moderator, “Reposition Your Hotel for Success” The Lodging Conference, Phoenix, September 27, 2016.
- Host, Sixth Annual Hospitality Industry Powder Summit, Vail, Colorado February 3-6, 2016.
- Moderator, “Management for Branded or Independent Hotel Owners” The Lodging Conference, Phoenix, October 8, 2015.
- Moderator, “Sources of Debt and Equity Financing” The Lodging Conference, Phoenix, October 7, 2015.
- Host, Fifth Annual Hospitality Industry Powder Summit, Park City, Utah, February 25- March 1, 2015.
- Moderator, “Mini-MBA- Financial Literacy for Hospitality Lawyers 101: Demystifying Financial Statements” Hotel Lodging Legal Summit Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC November 13, 2014
- Moderator, “Hotel Management: Putting Hotel Owners First” The Lodging Conference, Phoenix, October 21, 2014.
- Host, Fourth Annual Hospitality Industry Powder Summit, Park City, Utah, February 26- March 1, 2014
- Panelist, “Current Legal Issues in Hotel Financing” Hotel Lodging Legal Summit Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC, October 24-25, 2013.
- Author, “Money isn’t Everything, but it is Way Ahead of Whatever is in Second Place”, October 24, 2013.
- Guest Lecturer, “Leaders in Sustainable Entrepreneurship”, Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University October 9, 2013.
- Moderator, “REIT Strategies and Opportunities,” The Lodging Conference, Phoenix, September 19, 2013.
- Host, Third Annual Hospitality Industry Powder Summit, Park City, Utah, February 27- March 2, 2013.
- Panelist, “Legal Issues in Hotel Financing” Hotel Lodging Legal Summit Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC, November 8-9, 2012.
- Author, “Venture Capital & Rescue Capital”, November 8, 2012.
- Host, Second Annual Powder Summit 2012, Park City, Feb. 29 – March 4, 2012.
- Co-author, “The Lessons of Sheraton v. Castillo Grand,” January 17, 2012.
- Moderator, “International Expansion: Are There Profits To Be Made Outside of the Americas?”, North American Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference, Washington, November 1, 2011.
- Moderator, “Lenders, Borrowers and Dealmakers Discuss Money”, The Lodging Conference, Phoenix September 22, 2011
- Principal, Host and Founder, “Powder Summit 2011”, Park City, March 2-4, 2011.
- Developer and Moderator, “Hotel Metrics and Valuation Workshop”, Hospitality Law Conference, Houston, February 9, 2011.
- Moderator, “Distressed Asset Valuation”, The Distressed Hotel Summit 2, Washington, DC November 2, 2011.
- Moderator, “The Troubled CMBS Market,” The Lodging Conference, Phoenix, September 22, 2010.
- Co-Author, “Meltdown Opportunities for Hotel Buyer: “The Hotel Restructuring and the Acquisition Out of Bankruptcy,” June 1, 2010.
- Moderator, “The World of Special Service Providers: Perspectives, Goals and MO’s,” Hospitality Law Conference, Houston, February 3, 2010.
- Moderator, “The Hospitality Divide: Looking at the Future of Sustainable Hospitality,” 2009 Net Impact Conference, The Johnson School at Cornell University, Ithaca. November 13, 2009.
- Student Advisor, “Sustainable Global Enterprise (SGE) Practicum in Hospitality,” The Johnson School at Cornell University, Ithaca. November 12, 2009.
- Guest Lecturer, “Current International Business and Legal Issues in Hotel Operations,” University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Business, Department of Hospitality Tourism and Management, Amherst. October 15, 2009
- Co-Author, “Hotel Owners, Lenders and Stakeholders Square Off: Equitable Subordination,” May 27, 2009.
- Co-Author, “Hotel Loans in Trouble – Pointers for Lenders,” April 3, 2009.
- Presenter, “Current Issues Regarding Sustainability in the Hotel Industry,” The Johnson School at Cornell University, Ithaca. February 18, 2009.
- Guest Lecturer, “Sustainable Global Enterprise (SGE) Practicum in Hospitality,” The Johnson School at Cornell University, Ithaca. February 17-18, 2009.
- Presenter, “Meeting Contracts,” Hospitality Law Conference, Houston. February 10, 2009.
- Author, “Graham & Dunn Establishes Hotel Asset Resolution Task Force,” January 20, 2009.
- Author, “Three-Point Plan to Thrive in 2009,” The Hotel Times. December 2008.
- Co-Author, “Troubled Condo Hotel Workouts – The Time Has Arrived,” July 25, 2008.
- Moderator, “Sourcing Debt and Equity,” Midwest Investment Conference, Chicago. July 15, 2008.
- Moderator, “Profitable Keys to Green Hotelkeeping”, Midwest Investment Conference, Chicago. July 15, 2008.
- Author, “Security for International Meeting Planners.” MPI, Greater New York Chapter, Metrolines, Vol. 43 No. 42, May/June 2008.
- Presenter, “Inside, Outside, and Upside-Down: Safety, Security and Crisis Management,” Meeting Professional International Symposium, New York. March 25, 2008.
- Moderator, “Qualify Green,” Green Hospitality Conference, Dallas. March 14, 2008.
- Panelist, “Mixed Use Developments,” Green Hospitality Conference, Dallas. March 13, 2008.
- Presenter, “Developing a Lifestyle Brand; Legal and Business Considerations,” University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Business, Department of Hospitality Tourism and Management, Amherst. February 25, 2008.
- Panelist, “Successful Mixed Use Projects,” The Lodging Conference, Phoenix. September 27, 2007.
- Presenter, “Special Considerations when Negotiating and Drafting Purchase Agreements for Hotels and Resorts,” Hospitality Law Conference, Houston. February 8, 2007.