Get to Know the Russo Law Group Administrative Department

Russo Law Group is excited to shine a spotlight on the engine that keeps us running smoothly each day — our Administrative Department. This dedicated team is the backbone of our operations, working tirelessly to ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. From handling vital paperwork to coordinating meetings and supporting our legal staff, their roles are diverse and critical to our success.

Join us as we celebrate the individuals whose hard work and dedication make the Russo Law Group the formidable firm it is today. Their contributions may not always be in the limelight, but they are invaluable to our mission of providing exceptional legal services.

Melanie Castillo

Melanie Castillo, our firms Administrator, started with Russo Law Group in October 2008. She started out as a receptionist in our Islandia office and the moved on to working with Vincent J. Russo as his personal assistant. In January of 2020, she took on the role of Administrator.

Prior to joining Team Russo, Melanie was a pre-school teacher. Melanie comes from a big family and in her spare time, loves to spend time with them. She especially loves days off with her husband and her daughter Violette.  She also enjoys attending concerts and comedy shows playing with her beagle, Riley, and supporting The Theresa Foundation.

Paula Arrington

Paula Arrington has been with Russo Law Group since October 2011. Paula is the Controller for the firm and handles all the finances. Previously she was Controller/Accounting Manager for various organizations. Paula enjoys baking and reading in her free time. She also likes traveling and spending time with family and friends. She believes in living each day to its fullest because tomorrow is not promised.

 

Dante Russo

Dante Russo joined our team in August 2022 as Marketing Director at Russo Law Group. In addition to marketing, Dante is a filmmaker who has worked on a number of television shows and feature films including Glee, A Million Little Things, The Odd Couple, Growing Up Fisher, The New Normal, and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water. Dante also wrote and directed the short film, Grief, which premiered to a sold out screening at the 18th Annual Beverly Hills Film Festival, among others.

Janet Corsetti

Janet Corsetti first joined our team in February 1997. She is an administrative assistant, responsible for aiding Vincent in updating his treatise yearly and editing documents for clients and the firm. She coordinates monthly Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support Groups through the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center at our firm. Janet is also a client service coordinator and assists in scheduling planning meetings for the lead planners. Before joining Russo Law Group, she was a legal assistant to the managing partner at an international law firm in Manhattan. Janet has three children and a dog, her “fourth child”. She enjoys decorating and spending time with her family and friends.

Lynsey Springman-Duncan

Lynsey Springman-Duncan has been with Russo Law Group since October 2022 as an Administrative Assistant. Lynsey works full time out of the Islandia office and assists with day-to-day clerical tasks in the office. Prior to this she was an Assistant Director at a childcare center.

When not at work Lynsey enjoys spending time with her husband and friends either shopping or hosting game nights. She also enjoys getting together with her family for weekly family dinners.

Mary E. Gagliardo

Mary E. Gagliardo joined our team in September of 2014 as a legal assistant. Prior to joining us she was a legal assistant at another law firm for 14 years. Since then, she has taken on other supportive roles including case manager and client service coordinator. Mary handles the Social Security Disability/Social Security Income clients with the attorneys at Russo Law Group. When calling our offices to make an appointment with one of our attorneys, Mary is one of the qualified personnel to assist in the scheduling process.

Mary enjoys spending time with her husband and son who both work with horses. When she needs to relax, she likes to visit the stables to take care of their horse, Charmin.

Ashley Glover

Ashley Glover joined Team Russo in March, 2019 as their Intake Coordinator. Prior to the Russo Law Group, she worked with ElderCounsel, LLC as their Education Events Coordinator. She also has a background in sales, property management, and real estate. Ashley graduated from the University of Houston, B.S. in Psychology.  She currently resides in Houston, TX.

 

Jayme Klein

Jayme Klein joined our team in March 2021 as an Administrative Assistant. Her responsibilities include supporting Vincent J. Russo with a multitude of various tasks.  She works full-time in our Garden City office. Jayme has a master’s degree in School Counseling from Queens College.  She enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, visiting New York City, and going to the beach.

 

Julie Mahes

Julie Mahes has been with the firm of Russo Law Group since September 2022. Julie is the Fiduciary Accountant in the firm and works closely with Vincent J. Russo to assist with the financial tasks of the Trusts he is responsible for, which include annual accountings. Julie is also a Certified Court Examiner with the Nassau County Supreme Court. Previously, Julie worked as a Senior Accountant in the field of Elder Law for over a decade. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Queens College, CUNY.

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Julie now resides in Long Island with her husband, 3 children and pup, JoJo. She is very active in her children’s PTA and loves to travel anywhere there is a beach, with her family as often as possible.

Diandra McKay

Diandra McKay joined Russo Law Group in 2022. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she attended Farmingdale State College where she received a Bachelor’s in Health Science and a minor in Sociology. She has worked with adults who are developmentally disabled for seven years and was an accounting office manager at a car dealership for six years prior to joining the firm. Diandra is also a licensed Esthetician and loves beautifying people on her down time. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, taking her on adventures, as well as traveling.

 

Ruth A. Reiser

Ruth A. Reiser joined Russo Law Group in October 2022 as an Administrative Assistant at our Lido office. Prior to joining our Russo team, Ruth was an Office Manager at various firms in New York City. In her free time, Ruth enjoys traveling, reading and being with her family and friends.

 

Susan Rieff

Susan Rieff has been with Russo Law Group since October 2014, and is an assistant to the attorneys working in the Lido Beach office. In her free time, Susan pursues her interior design business as well as enjoys the beach.