Joseph Michael Russell
(54 years old)
Joseph Michael Russell, age 54, died unexpectedly on August 28th. He was born December 19, 1970, in Milwaukee to Thomas J. Russell, M.D. and the late Harriet J. Russell. Joe is survived by his spouse, Heather M. Downs Russell, J.D., and children Haddon, Harrison and Hunter; his father Thomas J. Russell, M.D.; his brother Thomas J. Russell Jr., J.D. (Constance); his sister Mary Russell McKeown, M.D. (Michael); his brother James P. Russell, M.D. (Laura) and eight nieces and nephews of the Russell family. In addition, Mustafa Ugurlu, M.D. is considered a loved sibling. Joe is also survived by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ryan A. and Mary Downs, brother-in-laws Jason P., and Ryan M. Downs (Marissa) and seven nieces and nephews of the Downs family.
Joe attended Marquette University High School ('89), Georgetown University (B.A., magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa ('93)) and then worked for the United States Department of Justice (Civil Division - Torts Branch) for two years. He continued his education at Trinity College, Dublin (M.Phil.); University of Wisconsin-Madison (M.A.) and Northwestern University (J.D., Law Review).
After graduating from law school in 2003, Joe joined the Chicago office of the law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP in corporate litigation where he became apartner and worked for 10 years. In 2013, after moving back to his hometown of Milwaukee, he became a partner with the law firm von Briesen & Roper, S.C.
Throughout Joe's life, he was committed to a strong sense of justice. He had a passion and calling to serve others. While engaged in a busy law practice and raising a family, Joe desired to live a life of purpose and to be a servant leader for others. Providing pro bono representation for prison inmates, the mentally ill and other under-represented individuals was Joe's true north calling. He received recognition for his commitment to pro bono work with multiple awards, including the 2012 Access Living Lead On! Award in Illinois for his class action role on compliance of statutory mandates for 4, 000 individuals in state-funded institutions for the mentally ill. Joe also received the 2019 Seventh Circuit Bar Association Pro Bono & Public Service Award for his work in the U.S. District Courts of Wisconsin.
Joe was equally committed to his Catholic faith. He served as a frequent Mass lector and was a member of the Lumen Christi Catholic Church Pastoral Council for several years. Joe enjoyed working with Father Dan and Father Matthew and could not have been prouder when his children served at Mass.
When Joe was in an English PhD. program at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, he met a law student, Heather Downs, in 1999 at Paul's Club on State Street. Joe's charm, quick wit and dashing good looks enamored Heather instantaneously. They married on June 23, 2001 in Door County. Joe and Heather lived downtown Chicago where they started their family. On the eve of Joe's daughter Haddon's birth, Heather vividly recalled Joe toiling away at the office on a pro bono matter that needed to be filed by midnight. Fortunately, Haddon held off her arrival until the early morning hours! Then, Joe was more than delighted when his son Harrison and daughter Hunter were born on his birthday - December 19th! At heart, Joe was an academic. He loved his Irish literature - Yeats, Synge, Joyce and Wilde to name a few. A perfect night-in for Joe was simple: all he needed was a book, spectacles, a pen in one hand and a pint in the other.
Joe also had a lifetime interest in sports. As a youth, he was a member of the U10 Bavarian State Champion soccer team and he ran cross country at MUHS until knee issues forced withdrawal. Joe was a MUHS tennis doubles pair unbeaten until a dislocated shoulder. He was also a player on the Trinity College varsity basketball team in league play in Ireland. Joe enjoyed skiing with his family, attending Harrison's youth baseball, football and basketball games as well as Haddon and Hunter's cross country and track meets. He avidly followed the Badgers, Packers and his beloved Brewers.
Joe was unwavering in faith, unwavering in love and unwavering when it mattered most. He didn't seek status or publicity. Heather, Haddon, Harrison and Hunter meant everything to him. They knew it in his every small, steady act. Joe's understated wisdom, good counsel and wry sense of humor was valued by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by all. We were lucky indeed for having known Joe Russell! A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Lumen Christi Catholic Church in Mequon at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 6th. Visitation will be held from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. prior to the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests contributions be made to Marquette University High School, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School or Lumen Christi Catholic School.