He served as the United States attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma from 1975 to 1977 and again from 1981 to 1982.
He was in the United States Navy, JAG Corps, from 1965 to 1968, continuing to serve as a reservist until 1971 and achieving the rank of lieutenant commander.
He was an assistant attorney general of the State of Oklahoma from 1968 to 1969, and was then a legal advisor to Governor Dewey Bartlett from 1969 to 1971.
He entered private practice in Oklahoma City from 1971 to 1972, but when Bartlett was elected to the United States Senate, Russell became his chief legislative assistant from 1972 to 1975.
Russell was then the United States attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma from 1975 to 1977, returning to private practice in Oklahoma City from 1979 to 1981, but again serving in the United States attorney post from 1981 to 1982.