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/Management, Charitable and Not-for-profit Entities, , and assisting Illinois residents in obtaining Firearm Owners’ Identification (FOID) cards.
He is licensed to practice law in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, where he is a member of each state’s bar association, as well as the American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) and the Christian Legal Society (CLS). He has been a member of the Association of Corporate Counsel, 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 two articles in the John Marshall Law Review, and has been quoted as a resource in articles in the Illinois Bar Journal 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.
He is entering his 29th 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 the Village of Park Forest, Illinois.
He is active in the community, most recently being appointed to serve as a Trustee for the Village of South Holland, where he chairs the Finance Committee. His past service for the Village of South Holland include his role as President of both the Planning/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 is also extremely active in the teaching, music, and theater ministries of his church, Spirit of God Fellowship, in South Holland, Illinois, where he also serves on the Board of Elders.