He also served as a judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 2015 to 2022.

He served as a judge of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court from 2016 to 2021.

On September 14, 1994, Russell was nominated by President Bill Clinton to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky vacated by Edward Huggins Johnstone.

He served as a judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 2015 to 2022.

He served as a judge of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court from 2016 to 2021.