About Carl Rausa
Carl Rausa is a partner of Rausa Russo Law, PLLC, a consumer protection and business law firm based in White Plains, New York. He brings a combination of courtroom experience, transactional knowledge, and practical business sense to each engagement. Carl concentrates his practice on consumer protection litigation, business formation and entity structuring, contracts and commercial law, and intellectual property matters. His approach is built on the conviction that effective legal representation requires more than knowing the law; it requires understanding the real-world circumstances his clients face and the decisions they need to make.
Carl has represented individuals and businesses across a wide range of disputes and transactions. On the litigation side, he handles claims under federal consumer protection statutes including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA). These cases typically involve consumers who have been harmed by inaccurate credit reporting, abusive debt collection practices, illegal robocalls and spam text messages, or unauthorized electronic transactions. Carl understands how these violations affect people in their daily lives, from lost job opportunities caused by credit report errors to the relentless intrusion of unwanted calls and messages, and he advocates diligently to hold responsible parties accountable.
Education
Carl earned his Juris Doctor from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, where he developed a strong foundation in civil litigation, commercial law, and legal writing. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from James Madison University, where his studies in government, policy, and institutional structures laid the groundwork for his legal career. The combination of a political science education and rigorous legal training gives Carl a broad perspective on how law intersects with business, government, and everyday life.
Judicial Clerkship
Following law school, Carl was appointed Principal Law Clerk to the Honorable Tara Schillari Rich, J.S.C. of the New Jersey Superior Court. In that role, he worked closely with the judge on a wide range of family law, civil, and criminal matters, gaining firsthand insight into how judges evaluate evidence, weigh legal arguments, and reach decisions. This experience shaped Carl's approach to both litigation and counseling. Having seen the judicial process from the inside, he understands what makes arguments persuasive to the court and what judges look for when evaluating the strength of a case. He brings that perspective to every matter he handles, whether he is preparing a motion, negotiating a settlement, or advising a client on the merits of a potential claim.
Practice Focus
Carl's practice spans several interconnected areas:
- Consumer protection litigation: Representing individuals in claims under the FCRA, FDCPA, TCPA, and EFTA. Carl handles cases involving credit reporting errors, identity theft consequences, debt collector harassment, illegal robocalls and text messages, and unauthorized electronic fund transfers.
- Business formation and entity structuring: Advising entrepreneurs and small business owners on selecting the right entity type, forming LLCs and corporations under New York law, drafting operating agreements and bylaws, and complying with New York's publication and registration requirements.
- Contracts and commercial law: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts for businesses of all sizes, including service agreements, partnership agreements, vendor contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and employment agreements.
- Intellectual property: Counseling clients on trademark selection and registration, copyright protection, trade secret strategies, and IP licensing.
Bar Admissions
- New York
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Carl Rausa, Esq. is individually admitted to the New Jersey bar and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. New Jersey work is handled by Carl. New-York-only matters may be handled by either partner.
Approach to Client Service
Carl understands that legal disputes do not exist in a vacuum. Common consumer matters at the firm include credit-report errors that affect mortgage applications, debt-collection contact at the workplace, and breakdowns in commercial relationships. Carl takes the time to understand the full picture before advising a course of action, and he communicates with his clients in plain language throughout the process. Carl believes the best outcomes are reached when clients are fully informed and actively involved in the strategy for their case. Whether the matter calls for litigation or a carefully negotiated resolution, he provides honest assessments, practical guidance, and diligent advocacy. Matters at Rausa Russo Law are staffed and supervised by a founding partner, and clients are in regular contact with the partner handling the matter.