John R. Russell concentrates his practice in the areas of Real Estate, Estate Planning, Probate, Management-Side Labor & Employment, Corporate Law and Business Start-up/ Compliance, and Charitable/Not-for-profit Entities.
He is licensed to practice law in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, where he is a member of each state’s bar association. He has been a member of the American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA), the Christian Legal Society (CLS), and the Association of Corporate Counsel. He has served as a licensed Real Estate Broker in Michigan, was certified as an Arbitrator/Mediator by the AHLA, and is an Illinois Notary Public. He has published articles in the John Marshall Law Review and the Illinois Bar Journal. He has also been interviewed as a resource in Illinois Bar Journal articles regarding Health Care Law, Estate Planning, and establishing a solo practice after working in the corporate sector.
He is a former professional musician and music teacher, graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s of Music Education. He graduated with honors from John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois, where he also served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review.
This year, John is celebrating his 33rd year as a practicing attorney. His experiences include a judicial clerkship for the Illinois Supreme Court, associate positions at Chicago area law firms, and 14 years as General Counsel for a large, faith based not for profit Health Care Organization which provided health and housing services to senior citizens. He also serves as an Adjudicative Hearing Officer for several municipalities in the southern suburbs of Chicago.
He is active in the community, serving as a Trustee for the Village of South Holland, where he chairs the Finance Committee. His past municipal service include his roles as President of both the Planning and Development Commission and Public Library Board in South Holland, Illinois. He also serves as a school board trustee for Calvary Academy in South Holland (a faith based private school), serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Thornton Township High Schools District 205 Academic Enrichment Foundation, and is active in both the Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce and the South Holland Business Association. He also serves as an Elder at his church, Spirit of God Fellowship, in South Holland, Illinois.