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

rcampbell@balch.com

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