It wasn’t as easy as it seemed.
Anyone could have predicted that White Plains attorney Russell Yankwitt had a brilliant legal career ahead of him. Law was in his blood; his father ran the litigation department of two large New York firms, his paternal uncle and grandfather were both lawyers, and both of his brothers and their wives are lawyers by training. As Russell told The Suit, “There was never a loss for words or opinions at Friday night dinners!”
Until recently, Russell’s journey up the career ladder was predictably swift. After graduating from Cornell Law School, he took the typical route of an overachiever: federal clerkship, Skadden, Arps, and then a position with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
But Russell took a risk in 2009, exposing an entrepreneurial streak that surprised his friends, his family, and even himself. He left the world of giant firms and federal-level litigation and founded a small independent practice called Yankwitt & Associates, LLC, which has since grown to become Yankwitt & McGuire, LLP.
From the beginning, there were a myriad of obstacles. Running the new firm was a complicated affair, and Russell quickly learned to juggle a wide range of administrative duties in addition to managing complex litigations. Family life intervened as well, and he lost plenty of sleep in order to make it all work. Almost immediately after opening his firm, he started with a bang and won a jury trial for a large restaurant chain in New Jersey. The very next day, he embarked on a transcontinental journey to adopt his daughter in Taiwan.
“Luckily, Taiwan is on a 12-hour time difference. So I could spend my days there with my wife and new daughter, and then when they were asleep I could turn my computer on and work all night during U.S. business hours,” Russell recalled. “That was certainly a challenging period in my life, but it all worked out fantastically well.”
Since those hectic early days, business at the firm has been growing steadily. Russell notes that keeping the workflow steady while finding ways to grow the firm has been a challenge, but it’s one he is willing to confront in order to increase revenues, create a top litigation firm in Westchester, and still preserve his integrity.
In 2010, the firm benefited from a new addition. Harold “Skip” McGuire, another former federal prosecutor—albeit from a different era—met Russell at a New Year’s party and offered to join forces. Today, Skip expands the scope of the firm with his expertise in federal criminal litigation, arbitration and securities law.
Yankwitt & McGuire is located just one block from the federal courthouse in White Plains, where Russell argued more than 50 cases as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. His seven-year tenure with the federal government included involvement in the settlement of a false claims act against New York Waterways for $1.3 million, as well as orchestrating the successful recovery of $125 million from the Dana Corporation, a bankrupt auto parts manufacturer in Toledo, Ohio.
With experiences like these behind him, it’s no surprise that Russell’s independent enterprise is on the path to great success. Today, he regularly represents clients involved in commercial litigation as well as general liability and employment disputes. His areas of expertise include civil litigation, breach of contract, employment law and representing small companies in Westchester and throughout New York State.
Russell is passionate about fighting for the rights of those he believes are wronged, and it shows. Clients regularly laud his zeal, dedication and enthusiasm. He’s been called “a breath of fresh air,” a “highly experienced professional,” and “the hardest-working attorney I’ve ever known.” One grateful client, D. Clive Metz, told The Suit that “Russell went the extra mile for me, and then beyond! I have never met such a hard-working, responsive and caring person who always put me, the client, before himself. The legal system would be much better off if there were more attorneys with Russell's dedication, work-ethic, and guidance. He was not only concerned with obtaining the best possible outcome; he was concerned about what was best for me and my family.”
Family has always been important to Russell. “I couldn’t have survived without the support of family and friends who volunteered to keep the business running while I was overseas,” he said. “And I owe so much to my wife Deborah, who encouraged me and believed in me when I started out, despite the financial risks.” Family is also the force that first instilled in him a great enthusiasm for his trade. “My father taught me how to be a lawyer through his passion,” Russell said. “He cared greatly about his clients. He taught me that if you want to be a lawyer, there’s only one way to do it—you’ve got to dive with both feet into every legal matter, and always be ready to go to the mat for your clients.”
Part of the reason Russell chose to work in White Plains was so that he could be close to his family. He considers himself fortunate to work an “abbreviated day,” come home at 7 p.m. to read with his two children and help put them to bed, and then finish the rest of the evening back at the office, which is only 5 minutes from his home. White Plains has also been a great source for referrals, which is no surprise to Russell. From the beginning, he perceived the need for a strong litigation boutique in White Plains that could not only serve the local businesses, but also assist the large New York firms with their “northern” clients in a cost-effective manner.
Recognizing the importance of balancing work and family life has also led Russell to embrace alternative and flexible hiring practices. In just two years, Russell has grown from a solo act to a growing law firm with four full-time lawyers, two full time paralegals, and several counsel attorneys to assist on the complex projects. He regularly employs seasoned attorneys and affords them the opportunity to work during school hours so they can better balance work and their children. It’s a business model that has proven effective, and Russell hopes to continue this hiring trend as his firm continues to grow.
To learn more about Russell and his firm, readers are encouraged to visit www.yankwitt.com.
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