He was in private practice in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi from 1938 to 1941, and was a Lieutenant Commander in the Office of Naval Intelligence during World War II, from 1941 to 1945.
[2] On September 24, 1965, Russell was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi vacated by Judge Sidney Carr Mize.
Russell was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 1, 1965, and received his commission the following day.
He served as Chief Judge from 1971 to 1982, assuming senior status on October 25, 1983.
[2] His service terminated on April 16, 2011, due to his death in Gulfport, Mississippi.