Education
The University of Alabama School of Law, J.D., 1991, Dean M. Leigh Harrison Scholar
Troy University, B.S., 1988, magna cum laude
Bar Admissions
Florida, 1991
Alabama, 1995
Texas, 2013
Russ Campbell is a sports agent and the founding partner of Balch Sports, the firm's sports and
entertainment practice. Russ has more than two decades of experience as a sports agent, representing
collegiate football, baseball, and basketball coaches, NFL coaches, and NFL players. Alongside Patrick
Strong, Russ has built a practice that serves many well-respected and emerging football and baseball
coaches.
Russ is also Chairman of the Litigation, Trial and Appellate Practice and represents clients in joint use (pole
attachment) work, energy-related litigation, complex commercial litigation, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt
Organizations Act (RICO) claims, and shoreline/reservoir management, including dam safety.
- Chambers USA
Q&AWhat previous experiences, prior to your work at Balch, influence your practice?I would not be where I am today without the help I received from many friends along the way. I am fueled
daily by the desire to help people achieve their goals, maximize their careers, and avoid conflict. When
conflict arises, it is especially rewarding assisting my clients in reaching resolution.
JOHN RUSSELL CAMPBELLPartner | Birmingham
Litigation
Balch Sports
(205) 226-3438
Clients applaud Russ’s work, with one dubbing him ‘a brilliant strategist’ and ‘the most
professional and competent attorney with whom I have had the opportunity to work.' ”
“
What types of clients do you represent?Through the sports practice, I get a unique chance to work with individuals in a career partnership. In the
litigation space, I get the contrasting opportunity to work with organizations in avoiding litigation, but
where necessary, taking a case to trial. While different, both experiences keep me excited about coming
to work every day.
What do you find most exciting about your work?No two days are ever the same! The professional space in which I operate is constantly changing,
unpredictable, and can be extremely time sensitive. It is a thrill every day.
What type of matters do you work on most often?At Balch Sports, we spend a great deal of our time on career development for our clients. The contract
negotiation component is important, but without career advancement and job placement, there is no
contract to negotiate. We are very proud of our focus and results and enjoy watching our clients grow
and develop in their highly competitive fields.
SELECT MATTERS
Balch Sports
Dabo Swinney, Clemson: Negotiated second biggest contract in college football history (2017).
Dave Aranda, LSU: Negotiated biggest coordinator contracts in college football history (2017 & 2018)
following a top five defensive coordinator contract (2016).
Larry Fedora, North Carolina: Negotiated biggest football coaching contract in school history (2016).
Tom Allen, Indiana: Negotiated biggest first-time head coaching contract in school history (2017).
Geoff Collins, Temple: Negotiated biggest first-time head coaching contract in school history and one
of the biggest first-time head coaching contracts in AAC history (2017).
Mike Bobo, Colorado State: Negotiated biggest coaching contract in school history (2018) following
biggest first-time head coaching contract in MWC and school history. (2015).
Seth Littrell, North Texas: Negotiated biggest contract in CUSA and school history (2018) following
biggest contract in school history (2017) and biggest first-time head coaching contract in school history
(2016).
Philip Montgomery, Tulsa: Negotiated biggest head football coaching contract in school history (2017)
following significant compensation increase over previous head coach (2015).
Neal Brown, Troy: Negotiated biggest contract in school history (2017) following biggest contract for
first-time head coach in school history (2015).
Gene Chizik, North Carolina: Negotiated biggest coordinator contract in school history and top five in
ACC history (2016).
Manny Diaz, Miami: Negotiated biggest coordinator contracts in school history (2016 & 2018).
Mike Bianco, Ole Miss: Negotiated biggest baseball coaching contracts in school history (2014 &
2016)
John Szefc, Virginia Tech: Negotiated biggest baseball coaching contract in school history (2017).
Litigation
Energy litigation: Represented investor-owned utility (IOU) in multi-jurisdictional litigation concerning
failed energy markets, imbalance tariffs, adequate assurances under forward power contracts, RICO
violations, and control area tariffs.
Corporate landowner: Defended putative class action involving claims of fraud and conspiracy arising
from closure of residential mobile home park on managed reservoir.
Joint use/pole attachments: Representing multiple electric utility (pole owners) before the Federal
Communications Commission, trial courts, and appellate courts concerning communications company
attachments, including National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) issues.
Smart grid issues: Represent IOUs concerning smart grid infrastructure, bandwidth issues, automated
meters, and emerging trends.
PUBLICATIONS
DECEMBER 14, 2017
Joint Use & Pole Attachment Newsletter
FCC Overturns Net Neutrality Rules and Reclassifies Broadband Internet Access Services
NOVEMBER 30, 2017
Joint Use & Pole Attachment Newsletter
FCC Pole Attachment Order
AUGUST 2017
Join Use & Pole Attachment Update
8th Circuit Upholds FCC's 2015 Revisions to Telecom Formula
JANUARY 19, 2017
Joint Use & Pole Attachment Newsletter
Inauguration Edition 2017
AUGUST 2016
Joint Use & Pole Attachments Newsletter
Summer 2016 Edition
NOVEMBER 2015
The Technology of Coaching Searches: Can a New Data Tool Help Athletic Directors Make Smarter Hires?
SportsIllustrated.com (Campus Rush)
Balch Sports’ relationship with SportSource Analytics is profiled in this article which discusses a
cutting-edge analytical tool borne out of Balch Sports’ internal, analytical data.
SEPTEMBER 2014
Study: Agents Break Down Hiring History, Give Coaching Carousel Context
FoxSports.com
The annual coaching carousel and associated “hot seat” lists are annual fodder for college football fans.
MARCH 2013
Kingsbury, Fleck Lead Wave of 30-Something Coaches
AP.com
Balch Sports is profiled in this article focusing on the string of 30-something head coaching hires.
DECEMBER 2012
Agents Say "Double Standard" Puts College Coaches in a No-Win Situation
CBSSports.com
When a coach leaves a program for another opportunity he is often vilified and his character attacked,
both publicly and privately.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
OCTOBER 13, 2017
A Ballpark Overview: The Field of Sports Law
Cumberland Law Review and the American Journal of Trial Advocacy
MARCH 2016
Don’t Fumble or Be Intercepted – Legal Observations From the Sidelines
Birmingham Bar Retreat
MARCH 2016
Sports Agents 101: Perception v. Reality and All That Lies in Between
University of Mississippi Sports Law Society
FEBRUARY 2015
An In-depth Look at Coaching Contracts
NCAA-NFL Coaches Academy
JULY 2014
Sports Law
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
FEBRUARY 2014
An In-depth Look at Coaching Contracts
NCAA-NFL Coaches Academy
NOVEMBER 2013
Joint Use Safety Failures
2013 Fall Heartland Meeting
SEPTEMBER 2013
Sports Contracts: The Coach and the School
University of Alabama Law School Contract Class
JULY 2013
Sports Agents 101
Alabama State Bar Paralegals Association CLE
CREDENTIALS
Professional Affiliations
Alabama State Bar, Intellectual Property, Entertainment, & Sports Section
Birmingham Bar Foundation, Fellow
The Florida Bar, Sports & Entertainment Section
Birmingham Bar Association
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
Awards & Accolades
AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell
The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2016-present
Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial, 2016-present
Birmingham Magazine, Top Attorney, 2012. 2018
Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star, 2014 - present
Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2013 - present
Community Involvement
Church of the Highlands
King's Home