
Hugh M. Russ, III
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. Tax Court
Education
Harvard University, A.B., Cum Laude
University at Buffalo School of Law, J.D., Magna Cum Laude
Hugh resolves business disputes. As a trial lawyer, Hugh has argued more than 100 cases before juries in the last 30 years, and he has represented individuals and businesses in virtually all areas of civil litigation throughout New York and the Northeast. Hugh was appointed by the U.S. District Court to be plaintiffs' liaison counsel in the Continental Flight 3407 multi-district litigation. In addition to serving as lead counsel for all 50 plaintiffs, he also represented seven families of victims killed in the crash.
Hugh has represented major industries in environmental class action lawsuits. He has represented a major insurer in one of the largest environmental insurance coverage litigations in the nation, and he has represented numerous international businesses in product liability cases. Hugh has tried catastrophic personal injury cases, including those involving claimed medical malpractice. Hugh also has substantial trial experience on insurance cases involving arson and fraud, on personal injury cases, in employment litigation, environmental litigation, and in shareholder and business disputes. Additionally, he has extensive experience in pro bono and civil rights work.
Now, Hugh devotes much of his time to alternative dispute resolution, especially mediation and arbitration.
Hugh is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is comprised of the preeminent members of the trial bar in the United States and Canada. Fellowship is extended only by invitation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the higher standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality. Membership is limited to less than 1% of the total lawyer population.
Hugh is currently the president of the Bar Association of Erie County.
Honors
- Bar Association of Erie County, Award of Merit 2022
- Listed, Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants) 2011 - 2023
- Listed, Upstate New York Super Lawyers, (Civil Litigation: Defense) 2007 - 2022
- Listed, Top 50 Upstate New York Super Lawyers, (Civil Litigation: Defense) 2010 - 2022
- Buffalo Business First/Buffalo Law Journal's Legal Elite of Western New York, 2008 - 2020
- Listed, Top 10 Upstate New York Super Lawyers, (Civil Litigation: Defense) 2013 and 2014
- America’s Top 100 Attorneys® Lifetime Achievement Member
- Listed, New York Area's Top Lawyers
- Buffalo Business First's Who's Who in Law
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York Pro Bono Award
- National Conference for Community and Justice Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award
- Former articles editor, Buffalo Law Review
Experience
- Indemnification in Defense of Products Liability Claims Secured for Construction Equipment Client
- Industrial Machinery Client Avoids Paying Damages in Horrific Product Liability Case
- Lead Counsel in Nationwide Aviation Wrongful Death Action Involving 50 Deaths
- Litigation Representation for Multinational Manufacturers of Consumer Foods
- Manufacturer of Pressure Valves Relieved of Product Liability in Devastating Explosion Case
- Significant Court of Appeals Victory Limits Scope of New York State’s Labor Law § 240(1)
- Successful Defense of 3M in Major Products Liability Lawsuit
- Victory for Portville District Benefits Schools Across New York State
In the News
- Buffalo Business First, April 4, 2022
- Buffalo Business First, August 12, 2021
- The Buffalo News, March 29, 2021
- Buffalo News, April 9, 2015
- Buffalo Law Journal, November 11, 2014
- Buffalo Law Journal, November 10, 2014
- Buffalo Law Journal, July 23, 2014
- September 4, 2013
- August 28, 2013
- July 15, 2013
- May 30, 2013
- Disputed Info Allowed in 2009 Airliner Crash SuitsWall Street Journal, 2013
- Buffalo Law Journal, September 10, 2012
- August 30, 2012
- August 21, 2012
- October 24, 2011
- September 7, 2011
- Continental, Others Face Unlimited Damages In Crash SuitLaw360, July 19, 2011
- Buffalo Business First, February 11, 2011
- Complex Cases Offer Chances and ChallengesBuffalo Law Journal, June 14, 2010
- June 22, 2009
- June 11, 2009
- March 25, 2009
- September 12, 2008
- A 120-Year-Old State Law Makes Business Liable for Work Site Injuries Regardless of Safety Measures Taken or Employee NegligenceBuffalo Business First, November 5, 2005
- September 29, 2004
Press Releases
- Hodgson Russ LLP Honored with 2023 New York State Bar Association President’s Pro Bono Service AwardApril 17, 2023
- September 26, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 23, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 19, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 20, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 19, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, June 14, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, September 8, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 20, 2020
- Bar Association of Erie County Press Release, June 29, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, September 23, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 20, 2019
- Press Release, August 12, 2019
- Press Release, September 24, 2018
- Press Release, August 20, 2018
- Press Release, August 15, 2018
- Press Release, January 12, 2018
- Press Release, September 6, 2017
- Press Release, August 22, 2017
- Press Release, August 15, 2017
- Press Release, August 31, 2016
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 18, 2016
- Press Release, August 19, 2015
- Press Release, August 17, 2015
- Press Release, September 29, 2014
- Press Release, August 14, 2014
- August 2013
Publications
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, May 3, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, March 20, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, January 4, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Food and Beverage Alert, September 12, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, May 25, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Product Liability & Complex Tort Alert, May 10, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Product Liability Litigation & Legislation Quarterly Update, May 2022
- Hodgson Russ Product Liability Litigation & Legislation Quarterly Update, January/February 2022
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, May 21, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food and Beverage Alert, May 10, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food and Beverage Alert, April 30, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food and Beverage Alert, April 19, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Torts, Insurance and Products Liability Alert, March 25, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, March 9, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, February 25, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, February 17, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, September 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, August 31, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, June 23, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation and Bankruptcy & Restructuring Alert, June 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, May 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ OSHA and Business Litigation Alert, May 13, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, April 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation and Securities Regulation & Corporate Compliance Alert, April 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Torts, Insurance & Products Liability Alert, April 17, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, April 15, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Business Litigation Alert, April 9, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Alert, April 7, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Food & Beverage Practice Alert, April 3, 2020
Presentations & Events
- October 1, 2019
- Best Practices: Working with the Press, ModeratorHodgson Russ, 140 Pearl St, Buffalo, NY, February 2, 2018
Professional Associations
- President, Bar Association of Erie County (BAEC) Board of Directors
- American College of Trial Lawyers
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- American Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- Co-chair, New York Eighth Judicial District Pro Bono Committee
- Bar Association of Erie County Professional Ethics, Judiciary, and Pro Bono Endowment Fund Committees
- Board member and former president, Harvard Club of Western New York
- Former regional director, Harvard Alumni Association
Community & Pro Bono
- Director, Executive Committee member, and Chair of the Audit and Corporate Compliance Committees, Roswell Park Alliance
- Nichols School board of trustees
- Director and former president, Buffalo Renaissance Foundation
- Director, Say Yes Buffalo
- Director, United Way of Buffalo and Erie County
- Director, Forest Lawn Cemetery