Russell W. Sullivan

Russ Sullivan co-chairs Brownstein’s National Tax Policy Group, drawing on 14 years of service with the Senate Finance Committee, including nearly a decade as staff director. He advises Fortune 50 companies, start-ups and national trade associations on federal tax policy, helping them understand how legislation and regulation may affect their businesses and where policy developments may create opportunities. Russ translates the U.S. tax code and federal policy for clients’ boards and members, provides context for business planning, and engages the Treasury Department and congressional tax-writing committees on domestic and international tax priorities.

His work in Washington is grounded in firsthand experience with the legislative process. At the Senate Finance Committee, Russ worked on tax and other issues affecting the business community and helped draft the 2001 tax legislation, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and the Affordable Care Act. That experience informs his perspective on current tax and health care policy debates and his work developing legislative and regulatory approaches for clients.

Beyond tax policy, Russ represents clients’ interests in health care, pension planning, trade, energy, financial services and economic development policy—areas he also encountered during his Senate Finance Committee service. Outside his practice, he has served as legal guardian for 22 teenagers, advocated for an increase in the adoption tax credit, and serves on the board of directors of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.

• Called upon by one of the world’s largest private equity firms to represent the client during its merger with a leading insurance company. Advised on the resultant domestic and international tax implications.
• In a time of crisis and under significant pressure, delivered informational seminars by webinar on COVID-19 tax legislation, regulatory guidance and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Kept thousands of tax preparers and accounting firms abreast of the latest developments in Washington, D.C. during the pandemic on behalf of the client, a global leader in information services.
• Assisted a client in a competitive industry in developing legislation to increase tax information reporting regarding transactions booked on gig economy platforms and helped persuade Congress to enact the bill, which partially paid for COVID relief legislation.
• On behalf of a global hospitality company, helped develop the concept and parameters for a federal tax credit that incentivized employers to keep workers on their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presented proposal to key staff on the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee, who incorporated the idea into the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act as the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC).

• J.D., 1987, University of Texas School of Law
• B.B.A., 1983, Baylor University

• District of Columbia
• Texas

• “There is no more of an effective, professional and respected tax lobbyist in Washington, D.C., than Russell Sullivan.” — Chambers USA, 2021
• Lifetime Achievement Award, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, 2026
• Chambers USA, 2019-2026
• The Best Lawyers in America, 2018-2027
• Top Lobbyists, The Hill, 2020
• JD Supra, Readers Choice Awards in Tax category, 2020

• Member, Board of Directors, Child Development Center at the Church at Clarendon
• Finance Chair, Board of Directors, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
• Finance Chair, Board of Directors, The Fourth Sector Group
• Member, Board of Directors, Capital Area Reach
• Member, Board of Directors, John Leland Seminary