Download vCardEducation
- J.D., Emory University School of Law, 2006
- B.A., Louisiana State University, 2003
Bar Memberships
- Georgia
Vincent Russo
BACK
Vincent Russo represents clients on a diverse set of legal and public policy matters. He was previously the Executive Counsel to Georgia Secretaries of State Brian Kemp and Karen Handel from 2008 to 2014, and served as the Assistant Commissioner of Securities in Georgia. Vincent currently serves as campaign counsel to Kemp for Governor and is Chief Deputy General Counsel to the Georgia Republican Party.
Vincent has over a decade of legal, regulatory, and policy experience in Georgia, including in the areas of financial services, professional licensing, tax, real estate, elections, and procurement. He has worked on legislation involving the Georgia Civil Practice Act, the Georgia Business Corporations Code, the Georgia Election Code, the Georgia Uniform Securities Act, the Revised Georgia Trust Code, several professional licensing boards, and investment tax credits. In 2011 and 2012, Vincent oversaw and was instrumental in the comprehensive overhaul of Georgia’s securities regulations while serving as the Assistant Commissioner of Securities.
Vincent brings a profound understanding of the pivotal relationship between government, business, and the law to his clients. As a litigator, Vincent represents clients in an array of business disputes, shareholder actions, real estate litigation, and administrative proceedings. He also advises clients bidding on government contracts, including representing them in procurement disputes. Because of his experience in both the public and private sector, Vincent is able to develop strategic plans to achieve his clients’ legislative, regulatory, and policy objectives at all levels of government, and provide direct advocacy with key government decision-makers on issues critical to his clients.
Vincent is a graduate of Emory University School of Law, where he was the recipient of the James C. Pratt Memorial Award, selected to the Order of the Barristers, and served as the Director of the Emory Moot Court Society (2005-2006). His peers have honored him as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Georgia in 2017 and 2018. He is currently an active member in the Atlanta Chapter of the Federalist Society, the Lamar Inn of Court, and the Ansley Park Civic Association, and was previously selected to LEAD Atlanta and the Conservative Policy Leadership Institute.
Selected Cases and Representations Experience
- Represented Georgia Congresswoman in a challenge filed in federal court to the results of the 2017 Special Election for Georgia Sixth Congressional District and successfully obtained the dismissal of our client and the claims challenging the results of the election. Curling et al. v. Kemp, et al., 17-CV-2989-AT (N.D. Ga.).
- Represented general partner of a private equity fund in lawsuit alleging shareholder oppression and breach of fiduciary duty affecting corporate control and the sale of a portfolio company. Obtained successful settlement for client, including recovery of funds misappropriated by the company’s CEO.
- Obtained dismissal on summary judgment of claims against an investment advisor in a lawsuit filed by investors in an offshore investment fund alleging, among other things, fiduciary misconduct and damages of over $30 million. Viken Securities Limited, et al., v. Dadlani, et al., 2015 WL 4610229.
- Represented individual investor of a large communications solutions provider in a shareholder dispute arising from a corporate acquisition. Obtained a successful pre-litigation settlement for our client, which included a favorable buyout of minority stock.
- Counsel for Groundfloor Finance, Inc. in public securities offerings filed with the SEC under Regulation A, and in prior public offerings filed with the State of Georgia and other state securities regulators through NASAA’s coordinated review process.
- Designed and developed compliance program for registered investment advisor and advised client’s compliance officer and directors on federal and state securities compliance matters.
- Advised and represented a leading company in the craft distillery industry with its reorganization and direct private offering of securities.
- Successfully defended the Muscogee County Board of Elections & Registration and its individual Board members in a voting rights lawsuit filed by Third Sector Development, Inc. alleging irregularities in the voter registration process and obtained dismissal of all claims against our client.
Prior to joining the firm, Vincent advised the Georgia Secretary of State as the office’s General Counsel in the following cases, among others:
- State of Georgia v. Holder (2010) (involving preclearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of Georgia’s voter verification process, which also challenged the constitutionality of the VRA)
- Georgia State Conf. of NAACP v. Kemp (2011) (challenge under Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 regarding the distribution of voter registration applications at public assistance offices in Georgia)
- Green Party of Georgia et al. v. Kemp (2012) (constitutional challenges to Georgia’s signature requirements for ballot access for independent and political body candidates)
- Swann v. Handel (2009) (equal protection challenge to a Georgia law on absentee ballot delivery to jail inmates)
- Morales v. Handel (2008) (challenge to Georgia’s voter verification process under the VRA and Help America Vote Act)
Selected Publications and Presentations
- Crowdfunding in Georgia, Technology Association of Georgia Corporate Development Society (2013, 2016)
- How Intrastate Crowdfunding Will Influence Federal Crowdfunding Laws, 2015 CfPA Annual Summit in Washington, D.C.
- Regulation A+ — Does It Make The Grade?, 34th Annual Georgia Business Law Institute of the State Bar of Georgia (2015)
- Election Law in the Wake of a Changed Voting Rights Act, Government Law CLE hosted by The Seminar Group (2014)
- Entertainment in Exchange for Equity: Using The JOBS Act and Crowdfunding for Entertainment Projects, 2014 Entertainment Law Institute of the State Bar of Georgia (2014)
- The Crowdfunding Revolution: Innovative Funding Solutions in Life Sciences, Georgia Life Sciences Summit (2013)
- Funding Programs Supported by the State of Georgia, Southeastern Medical Device Association and Georgia Bio (2013)
- Securities Regulation Update from the Secretary of State, Georgia Business Law Institute of the State Bar of Georgia (2011, 2012, 2013)
- Current Regulatory Initiatives and Priorities, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Regional Member Meeting (2012)
- Coordination of Complaint Intake, Referrals and Whistleblower Programs, SEC Southeastern Securities Conference for Regulators, Investigators and Prosecutors (2011)
Civic and Professional Activities and Awards
- Selected as a Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine and Atlanta magazine for 2017 and 2018
- Appointed to the Georgia Secure, Accessible & Fair Elections (SAFE) Commission
- Conservative Policy Leadership Institute, 2016 Fellow
- Lamar Inn of Court, Master
- LEAD Atlanta, Class of 2013
- North American Securities Administrators Association, 2013 Outstanding Service Award
- The Federalist Society, Member
- Lawyer’s Club of Atlanta, Member
- Atlanta Bar Association, Member
- Bleckley Inn of Court, Barrister (2011-2013)
- Georgia Department of Revenue Industry Partners Advisory Group, Member (2016)
- Ansley Park Civic Association, Zoning Board Member
- Trees Atlanta 2017-2018 Root Ball Host Committee
- Krewe of Bacchus, New Orleans, Louisiana, Member
Vincent Russo
Professional Bio
BACK
Vincent Russo represents clients on a diverse set of legal and public policy matters. He was previously the Executive Counsel to Georgia Secretaries of State Brian Kemp and Karen Handel from 2008 to 2014, and served as the Assistant Commissioner of Securities in Georgia. Vincent currently serves as campaign counsel to Kemp for Governor and is Chief Deputy General Counsel to the Georgia Republican Party.
Vincent has over a decade of legal, regulatory, and policy experience in Georgia, including in the areas of financial services, professional licensing, tax, real estate, elections, and procurement. He has worked on legislation involving the Georgia Civil Practice Act, the Georgia Business Corporations Code, the Georgia Election Code, the Georgia Uniform Securities Act, the Revised Georgia Trust Code, several professional licensing boards, and investment tax credits. In 2011 and 2012, Vincent oversaw and was instrumental in the comprehensive overhaul of Georgia’s securities regulations while serving as the Assistant Commissioner of Securities.
Vincent brings a profound understanding of the pivotal relationship between government, business, and the law to his clients. As a litigator, Vincent represents clients in an array of business disputes, shareholder actions, real estate litigation, and administrative proceedings. He also advises clients bidding on government contracts, including representing them in procurement disputes. Because of his experience in both the public and private sector, Vincent is able to develop strategic plans to achieve his clients’ legislative, regulatory, and policy objectives at all levels of government, and provide direct advocacy with key government decision-makers on issues critical to his clients.
Vincent is a graduate of Emory University School of Law, where he was the recipient of the James C. Pratt Memorial Award, selected to the Order of the Barristers, and served as the Director of the Emory Moot Court Society (2005-2006). His peers have honored him as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Georgia in 2017 and 2018. He is currently an active member in the Atlanta Chapter of the Federalist Society, the Lamar Inn of Court, and the Ansley Park Civic Association, and was previously selected to LEAD Atlanta and the Conservative Policy Leadership Institute.
Education & Memberships
Education
- J.D., Emory University School of Law, 2006
- B.A., Louisiana State University, 2003
Bar Memberships
- Georgia
Selected cases & representations
Selected Cases and Representations Experience
- Represented Georgia Congresswoman in a challenge filed in federal court to the results of the 2017 Special Election for Georgia Sixth Congressional District and successfully obtained the dismissal of our client and the claims challenging the results of the election. Curling et al. v. Kemp, et al., 17-CV-2989-AT (N.D. Ga.).
- Represented general partner of a private equity fund in lawsuit alleging shareholder oppression and breach of fiduciary duty affecting corporate control and the sale of a portfolio company. Obtained successful settlement for client, including recovery of funds misappropriated by the company’s CEO.
- Obtained dismissal on summary judgment of claims against an investment advisor in a lawsuit filed by investors in an offshore investment fund alleging, among other things, fiduciary misconduct and damages of over $30 million. Viken Securities Limited, et al., v. Dadlani, et al., 2015 WL 4610229.
- Represented individual investor of a large communications solutions provider in a shareholder dispute arising from a corporate acquisition. Obtained a successful pre-litigation settlement for our client, which included a favorable buyout of minority stock.
- Counsel for Groundfloor Finance, Inc. in public securities offerings filed with the SEC under Regulation A, and in prior public offerings filed with the State of Georgia and other state securities regulators through NASAA’s coordinated review process.
- Designed and developed compliance program for registered investment advisor and advised client’s compliance officer and directors on federal and state securities compliance matters.
- Advised and represented a leading company in the craft distillery industry with its reorganization and direct private offering of securities.
- Successfully defended the Muscogee County Board of Elections & Registration and its individual Board members in a voting rights lawsuit filed by Third Sector Development, Inc. alleging irregularities in the voter registration process and obtained dismissal of all claims against our client.
Prior to joining the firm, Vincent advised the Georgia Secretary of State as the office’s General Counsel in the following cases, among others:
- State of Georgia v. Holder (2010) (involving preclearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of Georgia’s voter verification process, which also challenged the constitutionality of the VRA)
- Georgia State Conf. of NAACP v. Kemp (2011) (challenge under Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 regarding the distribution of voter registration applications at public assistance offices in Georgia)
- Green Party of Georgia et al. v. Kemp (2012) (constitutional challenges to Georgia’s signature requirements for ballot access for independent and political body candidates)
- Swann v. Handel (2009) (equal protection challenge to a Georgia law on absentee ballot delivery to jail inmates)
- Morales v. Handel (2008) (challenge to Georgia’s voter verification process under the VRA and Help America Vote Act)
Selected Publications and Presentations
- Crowdfunding in Georgia, Technology Association of Georgia Corporate Development Society (2013, 2016)
- How Intrastate Crowdfunding Will Influence Federal Crowdfunding Laws, 2015 CfPA Annual Summit in Washington, D.C.
- Regulation A+ — Does It Make The Grade?, 34th Annual Georgia Business Law Institute of the State Bar of Georgia (2015)
- Election Law in the Wake of a Changed Voting Rights Act, Government Law CLE hosted by The Seminar Group (2014)
- Entertainment in Exchange for Equity: Using The JOBS Act and Crowdfunding for Entertainment Projects, 2014 Entertainment Law Institute of the State Bar of Georgia (2014)
- The Crowdfunding Revolution: Innovative Funding Solutions in Life Sciences, Georgia Life Sciences Summit (2013)
- Funding Programs Supported by the State of Georgia, Southeastern Medical Device Association and Georgia Bio (2013)
- Securities Regulation Update from the Secretary of State, Georgia Business Law Institute of the State Bar of Georgia (2011, 2012, 2013)
- Current Regulatory Initiatives and Priorities, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Regional Member Meeting (2012)
- Coordination of Complaint Intake, Referrals and Whistleblower Programs, SEC Southeastern Securities Conference for Regulators, Investigators and Prosecutors (2011)
Civic and Professional Activities and Awards
- Selected as a Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine and Atlanta magazine for 2017 and 2018
- Appointed to the Georgia Secure, Accessible & Fair Elections (SAFE) Commission
- Conservative Policy Leadership Institute, 2016 Fellow
- Lamar Inn of Court, Master
- LEAD Atlanta, Class of 2013
- North American Securities Administrators Association, 2013 Outstanding Service Award
- The Federalist Society, Member
- Lawyer’s Club of Atlanta, Member
- Atlanta Bar Association, Member
- Bleckley Inn of Court, Barrister (2011-2013)
- Georgia Department of Revenue Industry Partners Advisory Group, Member (2016)
- Ansley Park Civic Association, Zoning Board Member
- Trees Atlanta 2017-2018 Root Ball Host Committee
- Krewe of Bacchus, New Orleans, Louisiana, Member