Elizabeth T Russell is not a music teacher. She came darn close, but ended up a lawyer instead. Suitably armed with an undergraduate degree in bassoon, she earned her law degree from New Yorks Pace University School of Law, where she served as a member of the Pace Law Review. She is admitted to practice law in the states of New York, Connecticut and Wisconsin.
Elizabeth started out as a research attorney for the judges of New Yorks Appellate Division, Third Department. She then served as a senior attorney in the Counsel's Office of the New York State Education Department. During her tenure there she represented the New York State Museum in negotiations leading to the repatriation of twelve sacred wampum belts to the Onondaga Nation. She also represented the Commissioner of Education, successfully, in litigation before the United States Supreme Court.
Following her public service, Elizabeth explored the field of arts administration. She held positions with the Albany Symphony Orchestra in Albany, NY; the Madison Repertory Theatre in Madison, WI; and Opera for the Young, a professional opera touring company. She returned to law in 2000 and opened Russell Law, providing quality representation for emerging artists and creative businesses.
As a writer Ms. Russell enjoys taking complicated issues and explaining them in understandable terms for nonlawyers. She is the author of Art Law Conversations: A Surprisingly Readable Guide for Visual Artists (available from ). achieved finalist status in ForeWord Magazine's 2005 Book of the Year awards, earned a rating of "Essential" from the American Library Association's CHOICE Magazine and was included on CHOICE's 2006 list of Outstanding Academic Titles. In 2008 the title was awarded a Writer's Digest First Place award in the reference category.
Ms. Russell is the Chair of the Sports and Entertainment Law section of the State Bar of Wisconsin; a member of the Copyright Society of the U.S.A.; and the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law section of the New York State Bar Association. She also serves on the executive board of directors of the Middleton (WI) Chamber of Commerce and on the board of the Middleton Community Foundation.
Elizabeth wrote the curriculum and taught Copyright Management at Madison Media Institute in Madison, WI, and is a frequent lecturer on legal issues in the arts.
She is remarkably fluent in plain English.
Elizabeth is originally from Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. She makes frequent trips to Cornwall, where she continues to meet and work with Hudson Valley clients.