Russell W. Sullivan

Russ Sullivan chairs the National Tax Policy Group for Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP and provides unparalleled insight into the legislative and regulatory risks and opportunities related to tax policy. Russ is a Capitol Hill veteran who spent 14 years with the Senate Finance Committee, including nine as staff director. He leverages his vast network and industry expertise to devise and execute complex strategies for both nonprofit and for-profit clients on a broad range of issues, including health care, pension planning, trade, economic development and tax policy.

As Senate Finance Committee staff director, Russ worked across the aisle to advise committee chairs from both political parties, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT). During his time there, Russ saw some of the most important issues within the business community come before the committee, and he played an integral role in drafting such sweeping legislation as the JOBS Act of 2004, the Medicare Modernization Act of 2004, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and the Affordable Care Act of 2009. His firsthand contributions to these pieces of legislation allow him to provide contextual insight into current tax and health care policy debates. Prior to his time as staff director, Russ served as chief tax counsel on the Senate Finance Committee and as legislative director for Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL). During his career on Capitol Hill, Russ developed an extensive network, managing over 600 staff members and policy professionals – many of whom currently serve in senior government positions.

This experience has driven successful outcomes for Russ’ clients. He recently shepherded a grandfather provision into tax legislation to save a multi-billion dollar transaction and helped lead an effort to prevent tax increases proposed during tax reform from becoming law.