Attorney Russ Berkowitz is the Managing Partner and Founding Partner at Berkowitz & Hanna LLC, a prominent Connecticut-based law firm known for its handling of high-end medical malpractice and personal injury cases. His career in medical malpractice law began with inspiration and mentorship, and it has evolved into leadership, distinction, and impact that stretches well beyond the courtroom.
During a trial clerkship in law school, Russ got a taste of advocacy at its finest from an excellent trial judge and learned much from his guidance. The trial judge, a former medical malpractice attorney, spent a substantial amount of time with Russ mentoring him on the nuances of trial practice. However, the judge made it a point, after presiding over a hotly contested medical malpractice case, to tell Russ that in his opinion, “few things were more rewarding than representing a client whose life had been upended by a catastrophic injury that was caused by substandard medical care”. According to Russ, “that was a moment for me.” From then on, Russ immersed himself in the field, spending his final year of law school clerking at a firm dedicated to medical malpractice cases.
When he returned to Connecticut, Russ learned that the trial judge who he had clerked for had been elevated to the Iowa Supreme Court and later appointed Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court. Although their paths never crossed again following law school, Russ often thinks of him and hopes that his successful career in medical malpractice law would have made the judge proud of him.
By 1997, after a number of years as an associate and then junior partner at a general litigation firm, Russ was ready to build something of his own. His early experience gave him both trial skills and business insight thanks to mentors who encouraged him to understand the practice beyond the courtroom. Confident in his vision, he launched a firm dedicated to high-end medical malpractice and personal injury work, determined to make it a success from day one.
Russ’ reflections reveal not just a career course but the structuring of a vocation. He humbly says, “we serve as a voice for clients who don’t have the ability to speak for themselves.” Over the course of his career, he and his firm have secured approximately $500 million in verdicts and settlements for clients, including over 100 settlements and verdicts in excess of $1 million that have made a discernible difference in the lives of families devastated by medical negligence.
Defining Impact in Law
Russ believes that impact in the legal profession does not follow a single track. It can be felt not only in high-stakes trials, but also in the subtle victories where clients know their voices were heard. At Berkowitz Hanna, they see every case as significant, not only the catastrophic ones. Each client wants their story told, and the firm makes it a point to ensure that the story reaches the other side, whether that be an insurance company, their lawyers, a healthcare system, medical providers or a jury.
In some cases, the stakes go beyond the individual. With extensive experience in catastrophic medical malpractice, Russ and his team have helped uncover flaws within healthcare systems’ practice and protocols, often leading to substantive changes in policy and procedure. These moments remind him that the law can correct not just one wrong, but many.
For Russ, impact is estimated through trust, respect, and systemic reform. From representing many retired NFL players in landmark Brain Concussion litigation to holding hospitals accountable for systemic failures, he and his team leave no stone unturned to bring about a difference. Besides delivering justice for individuals, these lawsuits also establish accountability in healthcare facilities.
Guided by Integrity
When asked what personal values shape his approach to client advocacy and legal ethics, Russ’ answer was precise. For him, it matters that clients opposing counsel, and judges alike respect Berkowitz Hanna. As the firm’s long-standing face and role model, Russ ensures that the values of hard work, discipline, honesty, empathy, intellectual curiosity, and zealous advocacy are central to the firm’s identity. If we had to describe this wise attorney in one word, it would be Catalytic. These values have also earned him recognition among The 10 Most Impactful People in Legal Services, 2025. And we see it deservedly.
The legal field is full of twists and turns. Some cases fade quietly while others create history. Russ has experienced both. One of his first large medical malpractice awards stemmed from an obstetrical malpractice case involving twins. It was an emotional case that left a strong impact on him. While the family had lost one child, and the surviving child required lifelong care, fighting and winning that case was an enriching experience for Russ whose clients’ lives had been turned upside down.
Balancing Empathy and Objectivity
What Russ has realized over the years is that “as a human being, it can be difficult to hear the stories from prospective clients regarding what they or their loved ones have gone through.” Nevertheless, he believes that professionals must keep their emotions under control and objectively focus on the facts of the case. This is particularly true during litigation, when the opposing side will inevitably present a medical theory that is intended to refute the plaintiff’s allegations of negligence.
However, for Russ, objectivity does not mean detachment. He believes in fighting for his clients with zealousness, while simultaneously being honest with them regarding flaws that can surface in a case. Russ says that the most important part of our jobs as trial attorneys “is for clients to have ability to make a well-informed choice about whether to accept a settlement offer or take the case to trial.
A Day in Motion
As the managing partner of the law firm and an active litigator, Russ’ days and weeks are very busy and never the same. Every week, he meets with new clients, present clients, fellow attorneys and paralegals at Berkowitz Hanna, opposing counsel, judges, medical experts, performs legal and medical research, meets with the firm’s accountant, attends depositions, and handles a plethora of administrative tasks, as he shares.
Most important, Russ has nurtured a culture of excellence at Berkowitz Hanna. Client advocacy and high standards are mainstays of the firm, which mirrors his leadership. His credentials speak to that commitment: Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate, Fellow of the American Academy of Medical Malpractice Lawyers, and an active leader in the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association. Year after year, his recognition in Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers affirms not just professional achievement, but the respect of peers who know the rigor of the field. In addition, he is the Trustee of the firm’s Charitable Foundation and is the Founder of Across the Globe Children’s Foundation, whose mission is to build schools, homes, and clean water projects throughout Latin America along with partnering with local nonprofits who represent the underserved.
Striving for Balance
As Russ points out, “you set yourself up for burnout if you focus just on your career and overlook your personal life”. As a result, striking an exceptional balance between the two is imperative. Russ has learned the hard way, after years of toiling, that things like this take time. When asked about his mantra to maintain a healthy work-life balance, Russell is candid about still being a work in progress. He has always made a concerted effort to strike a work-life balance. However, at times, work pulls him in more than he would like due to the volume and complexity of the cases the firm handles. Russell is grateful, nevertheless, to his wonderful family, who have always understood the importance of the work he does for his clients. Their presence helps him keep perspective, and he credits them for making the balance easier to sustain.
A Legacy of Teamwork and Mentorship
Looking back on his career, Russ takes pride in every big and small difference he made to others’ lives. He is especially grateful to the attorneys and paralegals that work alongside him every day. “We have a fabulous team that have the same fight and compassion as me and it has been immensely gratifying for me to observe the development of our long- term firm members.
Our amazing group has made me shine time and again as they fight for our clients.’
“It is a rare person who comes along and raises the standards of excellence, who captures the heart of many, and who inspires a group of individuals to achieve the impossible.” His leadership has built a client-centric culture where excellence is not just the name of the game, but a shared journey for all.
Advice for the Next Generation
To aspiring attorneys who want to make a lasting impact in personal injury and medical malpractice law, Russ’ advice is multifaceted. Being enthusiastic about this field of law is crucial, as this industry leader is well aware. He explains, “you will be spending the next 40 years of your life doing this type of work, and the journey is much more rewarding and fun if you are enjoying what you are doing.” For those drawn to law only for financial gain, he suggests pursuing finance or entrepreneurship instead. His reasoning is straightforward. Law is a demanding field, and clients deserve an attorney who genuinely cares and is prepared to fight for them.
His counsel is candid and timeless, motivating these budding attorneys to choose passion over profit, care over calculation.
Access to Justice for All
If Russ had the chance to turn the tide in the legal industry concerning medical malpractice cases, what would he set his sights on? In response, he says it would be opening the doors to the court system for clients, even if their cases aren’t worth millions of dollars.
In Connecticut, the reality is different. The cost of pursuing a malpractice claim is often too high unless the potential damages are significant enough to justify years of litigation. Every case requires an expert, and in most cases, multiple experts. However, their fees alone can be prohibitive, even for their opinions and testimony on behalf of their clients.
At Berkowitz Hanna, Russ and his team review 25 to 35 malpractice cases every week. Some of them have clear merit yet never move forward because the cost of bringing the case outweighs the value of the case. “I wish there was a vehicle in Connecticut for those injured parties to be heard and receive compensation for their injuries,” Russ adds with a sigh. For him, the fight is not just about winning large verdicts, but ensuring justice is within reach for all.
Russ’ career path serves as a perfect model for today’s C-suite and V-suite leaders. It shines a light on the importance of building trust by delivering results that speak volumes, nurturing a high-performance culture that stands the test of time, and tying professional success to a greater calling. His insight and integrity leave a mark on both the lives of his clients and the next generation of advocates.
