Russell Goldsmith
Russell Goldsmith | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Lawyer, entrepreneur, banking executive |
| Years active | 1978–2022 |
| Known for | Chairman and CEO of City National Bank |
Russell Goldsmith is a prominent American lawyer, entrepreneur, and banking executive. He held the positions of chairman and CEO at City National Bank until his retirement in January 2022.
Early life
Goldsmith completed his secondary education at Beverly Hills High School in 1967. He subsequently obtained both a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard University and Harvard Law School, respectively. His father, Bram Goldsmith, was the chairman emeritus of City National Bank, while his mother, Elaine (Maltz) Goldsmith, is known for her philanthropic efforts. Notably, his maternal grandfather, Benjamin N. Maltz, was one of the founders of City National Bank in 1954.
Career
Goldsmith started his professional journey as an attorney with Irell & Manella before co-establishing the law firm Sanders, Barnet & Goldsmith, which concentrated on entertainment law disputes.
Between 1983 and 1985, he held the role of chief operating officer at Lorimar Television, a company specializing in film production. Following this, from 1986 through 1994, he acted as chairman and CEO of Republic Pictures, a company that was publicly traded at the time. Simultaneously, from 1990 to 1994, he occupied the position of vice chairman for the San Diego Padres baseball franchise.
Having been a member of City National Bank’s board since 1978, Goldsmith assumed the roles of chairman and CEO starting in October 1995. From 2008 until 2011, he contributed to the Federal Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, including two years serving as vice president. He also leads the Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America as its chairman.
His governance experience extends to serving on boards such as the Harvard-Westlake School, the Bay Area Council, and the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles. Additionally, he is part of the board of governors at the Frederick S. Pardee RAND Graduate School. Goldsmith holds membership in organizations including the Council on Foreign Relations, California’s Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth, and the Civic Alliance. His board affiliations also include Wynn Las Vegas and the Financial Services Roundtable.
Political activity
Goldsmith played a role in political fundraising by hosting an event supporting Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential bid.
Personal life
He is married to Karen Mack, who works as a producer and writer and is the daughter of Las Vegas real estate developer Jerome D. Mack (1920–1998). The couple has three children, among them Brian Mack Goldsmith.