2008 40 Under 40 Honoree: Richard Russell

Russell’s goals include developing new clients and referral relationships at the recently merged law firm.

Outside the office, he serves on the boards of directors for the Regional Girls Shelter, the Rotary Club of Springfield and the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association.

“My proudest accomplishment is receiving the 2007 Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association President’s Award for my service as the 2007 treasurer of the SMBA Board of Directors,” Russell says.

Learning to balance his time came from his work on the Rutgers Law Review.

“I learned a number of valuable skills from participating on law journal,” Russell says. “Editing the writing of others and the various writing projects I did for law journal taught me to be a better writer and legal researcher. The extra work required as a member of law journal taught me valuable time-management skills. In addition to my normal class load, I was involved with writing my own article and editing articles for publication.”

Russell is also proud of the time he spent at home with his daughter, Taylor Rae, 5, after she was born. He says he really bonded with her during his second year of law school.

“Being a stay-at-home dad during law school was a great experience,” Russell says. “While it is was tough managing my schedule to make sure that all my school activities were done, I learned valuable time-management skills, and I was able to spend a lot of quality time with my daughter. … Also, taking care of her makes me realize the amount of work that my wife, Nicole, does every day, and I appreciate her hard work. I am thankful that she is able to stay home with Taylor Rae.”

Russell is a member of Leadership Springfield XXIII, and he also has served on the Greene County Estate Planning Council, but he says his greatest influence comes from being aware of the needs of others. “Through my service on civic and charitable boards, I can influence the success of organizations that assist those in need,” he says. “I try … to encourage others in Springfield to serve on boards or volunteer with an organization where their particular strengths can have the most impact.”

Double Play

Birth date: Oct. 4, 1971

Family: My wife’s name is Nicole. Our daughter, Taylor Rae, is 5. We have one pet, a 13-year-old, 14-pound Shih Tzu named Pip.

Philosophy to live/work by: “Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well.” —Philip Stanhope

In a fantasy world, which professional sport would you play? Fishing. Being on the water in a quiet and secluded cove, regardless of whether you catch anything, is my favorite way to relax.

Information accurate at the time of the honor.