Russell brings extensive experience in federal government organizations to his role, in which he has provided legal guidance and counsel since 2011. He spent more than 30 years serving on Capitol Hill and working with federal agencies prior to joining the firm.
Russell served as General Counsel for the Committee on Small Business for the U.S. House of Representatives from 2004 to 2011. His responsibilities included oversight of the Small Business Administration and other federal contract and procurement programs. He managed the Committee’s investigations and program audits, prepared committee hearings, drafted bills and amendments, and assisted in Rules and House floor debates. Russell had previously served as Subcommittee Staff Director and Counsel from 1984 to 1992. During that time, he led the Procurement Subcommittee, which had jurisdiction over billions of dollars of federal acquisitions. The Subcommittee also reauthorized and expanded the highly successful Small Business Innovation Research program and was recognized for implementing and strengthening the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act.
From 1995 to 2004, Russell served as the Assistant Chief Counsel for the Office of the Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration. During his tenure, he was responsible for preparing Office positions on all legislative and regulatory tax policy issues including regulatory challenges under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. In these areas of expertise, he prepared comment letters on proposed Administration policy statements and testimony for Congressional hearings. Russell also staffed key national events including the White House Conference on Small Business and the annual SEC Small Business Capital Formation Forum.
Russell originally came to Washington in 1978 as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative Ike Skelton (D-Missouri). In this role, he developed and implemented legislative strategy in issue areas including tax, business, budget and financial services. He also coordinated the Representative’s oversight and involvement with federal business development programs, appropriations and procurement contracts in Missouri.
Russell also served as the Chief of Staff for U.S. Representative Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas). In this position, he managed a staff of 20 including her Washington and District offices in the years before she was elected to the U.S. Senate.
Prior to serving as a Legislative Assistant, Russell was in private practice in Kansas City, Mo., and also with a law firm in Tulsa, Okla., from 1974 to 1978.