He served as a law clerk for Judge Robert M. Bell of the Maryland Court of Appeals from 1991 to 1992.

He served as an Assistant United States Attorney from 1994 to 1999 handling civil matters.

He again served as an Assistant United States Attorney from 2002 to 2007 handling criminal cases.

He was appointed as an associate judge of the Circuit Court of Maryland in Baltimore where he served from 2007 until 2012.

[3] Russell became the chief judge on May 1, 2024, after James K. Bredar assumed senior status.