Russell Pfeifer is a partner in MG+M’s Miami office. His practice is dedicated to complex litigation primarily in the areas of product and premise liability, sexual abuse and molestation claims, and first-party property insurance litigation. Russell continues to serve as lead counsel in notable high-profile wrongful death cases, and has worked extensively in matters involving the defense of national and international product manufacturers, commercial premises and business owners, and for domestic and international insurers in first-party disputes.
Russell earned his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law, cum laude, in 2003 where he received the Dean’s Certificate of Achievement Award in legal research and writing, the Cali Excellence for the Future Award in legal research and writing, Dean’s Merit Scholarship and the Paul B. Anton Scholarship for academic excellence. He graduated from Nova Southeastern University, magna cum laude, with a B.S. in 1999.
Russell has argued before four of the five District Courts of Appeal in Florida and is admitted to the Florida Bar, all state courts in Florida, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle, and Northern districts of Florida.
In 2015, Russell was recognized by Florida Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star,” an honor given to the top 2 percent of attorneys in Florida who are 40 years old or younger. Russell was recognized again as a “Rising Star” in 2016 by Super Lawyers, and again in 2017. In that same year, Russell received the AV Preeminent rating, which is a significant rating accomplishment and a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence. In 2019 and again in 2020, Russell was named one of America’s Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators by America’s Top 100 Attorneys. Membership among America’s Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators is meant to identify and highlight the accomplishments of the nation’s most esteemed and skilled civil defense attorneys. Only 100 attorneys in each state receive this honor. Russell was also chosen as 2020 Honorees of the South Florida Legal Guide Top Lawyers List.
Russell has authored an article on marine insurance published by the University of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal, which has been cited by federal courts throughout the United States and is also a regular guest lecturer at the University of Miami School of Communication in advocacy and public speaking. He enjoys living in Miami, traveling and racing cars.