Graham & Dunn Welcomes New Attorney--Russ C. Savrann
07.25.2005
Russell C. Savrann, formerly Vice President and Associate General Counsel with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, has joined Graham & Dunn as a member of its Hospitality, Beverage and Franchise Team ("Beds, Bottles, and Brands"). He will be based in Connecticut and will enhance Graham & Dunn's presence and service to the hospitality industry in the Northeast and nationally.
Savrann has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, including strategic legal planning, beverage licensing, franchising, hotel transactions and development, and intellectual property. He also has broad experience in the many operational issues that arise in hotel and resort operations, including group sales, marketing and procurement. Before serving as legal counsel with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., in White Plains, New York, Savrann acted as General Counsel, Director of Legal Services, and Corporate Secretary at The Ground Round, Inc., in Braintree, Massachusetts. Savrann is also a member of the Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Florida bar associations.
Graham & Dunn's nationally-recognized Hospitality, Beverage & Franchise team is a fully-integrated, interdisciplinary team of lawyers with the unique skills that are required to effectively handle all of the special needs of the hospitality industry. The team's industry experience includes strategic alliances, franchises, acquisitions, condominium hotels, liquor compliance, trademark registration and protection, litigation, employment issues, and reorganization. "I look forward to working with the Graham & Dunn team-due to its unique hospitality industry focus spanning several decades, it is unparalleled in its experience and service to the hospitality industry," Savrann said.
"We are excited that Russ has joined our team," said Irvin W. Sandman, Graham & Dunn's Hospitality, Beverage and Franchise Team Leader. "Russ has over ten years of business, legal and practical experience in the hospitality industry, and he will immediately add depth and exceptional skills to our already-established industry knowledge. Frankly, it is very hard to find a lawyer with Russ's experience, focus, and commitment to the hotel business, and we are proud he has chosen our team to continue his accomplished career in the industry."
From its primary offices in Seattle, Washington, Graham & Dunn serves national, regional and local hotel clients, including Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Cendant Corporation. While Savrann will be based in Connecticut, he will be an integral part of Graham & Dunn's Hospitality, Beverage and Franchise Team and will bring all of its resources to bear on projects in the Northeast and nationwide. "Technology allows us to handle hotel projects and litigation effectively and efficiently, anywhere in the United States, at highly competitive prices," Sandman said. "There still is no substitute, however, to easily accessible, face-to-face interaction with clients, as well as day-to-day involvement in regional hotel markets and concerns. In short, Russ' presence in the Northeast will help us serve our clients."
