Jump To Navigation

Attorneys

David B. Russell 
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Partner
phone (888) 899-5461
(608) 498-4651
fax (608) 784-7414
email Email Me

David Russell has more than 30 years legal experience in a variety of practice areas. He is highly regarded as a bankruptcy attorney, having represented hundreds of debtors and creditors, and having been a finalist for appointment as a federal bankruptcy judge. His clients have included doctors, lawyers, teachers, and other professionals. He also is counsel for small businesses, including financial, retail, wholesale and distribution enterprises. David has performed management and administrative duties within the law firm since 1993.

Another area of specialization is Social Security Disability cases. David has been successful for hundreds of claimants in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He also does mediation, having provided alternative dispute resolution services in civil litigation, farmer-creditor conflicts on a volunteer basis, and even disputes within law firms, drawing on management experience in his own firm.

David has a long record of community involvement and is past president of the United States Curling Association. He played an integral role in the collaboration between the Boys & Girls Club and Viterbo University in building a joint recreational facility, the first of its kind in the nation. David received the State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono Award in 1993. His passion for service to others in the community is the same passion which he brings to serving his clients.

Representative Experience

  • Reached settlement for less than half of the amount sought, on behalf of the defendant, in a bankruptcy litigation case. The defendant was a small business being sued by a bankruptcy trustee to recover preferential transfer.
  • Successfully defended a client in bankruptcy litigation against a fraud claim, leading to the dismissal of the fraud claim. The debtor client was being sued by a relative for fraud, when no fraud was involved.
  • Recovered real estate for a creditor client, who needed to foreclose on a delinquent land contract. The adverse party deeded back the real estate after being convinced of an alternative to litigation.
  • Secured disability benefits for a middle-aged farmer who was no longer physically able to work the farm. Disability benefits were awarded upon representing the client at the hearing and referring him for vocational counseling.
Areas of Practice:
Bankruptcy/Creditors' Rights Litigation
Social Security Disability
Business Law
Mediation
Real Estate
Basic Estate Planning
Litigation Percentage:
20% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions:
Wisconsin, 1979
U.S. Federal Courts, 1979
Education:
University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 1979
J.D.
Honors: Cum Laude


University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 1974
B.A.
Major:  Business Administration


Representative Cases:
Kane v. Employer's Ins. of Wausau, 419 N.W.2d 324 (Wis.App. 1987)
Rome v. Betz, 355 N.W.2d 844 (Wis. App. 1984)
Classes/Seminars Taught:
Adjunct Professor of Business Law, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, 2001 - Present


Social Security Disability, Paralegal Association, 2006


Bankruptcy, Winona State University, 1984


Bankruptcy and Secured Transactions, High School Apprenticeship Class, 1997 - 2000


Bankruptcy, La Crosse County Bar Association, 1985


Social Security Disability, Western Wisconsin Legal Services, 1986


Social Security Disability, Western Wisconsin Legal Services, 1989


Social Security Disability, Western Wisconsin Legal Services, 1994


Receivers in Wisconsin and Creditors' Rights in Bankruptcy, Credit Managers Group, 1999


Receivers in Wisconsin and Creditors' Rights in Bankruptcy, Credit Managers Group, 2004


Honors and Awards:
State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono Award, 1993


Professional Associations and Memberships:
Wisconsin Bar Association, 1979 - Present


La Crosse County Bar Association, 1979 - Present
Past President


Wisconsin Bar Association, 2000 - 2006
Legal Assistance Committee


Western Wisconsin Legal Services (Low Income Clients), 1987 - 1993
Board of Directors, Treasurer


Legal Action of Wisconsin (Low Income Clients), 2005 - Present
Board of Directors


La Crosse County Bar Association, Low Income Divorce Panel, 1992 - 1995


La Crosse Public Education Foundation, 2000 - 2006
Past President


La Crosse County Historical Society, 1993 - 1996
Board of Directors


Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse, 1997 - Present
Board of Directors, Secretary


Community Youth Initiative Advocacy Committee (Skate Park, Curfew Change, Teen Center), 1998 - Present


State Road School PTA, 1989 - 1996
Past President


United States Curling Association (USCA), 1984 - 1996
Board of Directors, Past President


United States Curling Association Hall of Fame Committee, 2004 - Present


Wisconsin State Curling Association, 1977 - Present
Board of Directors, Past President


United Campus Ministry, 1990 - 1995
Board of Directors, Treasurer


Pro Bono Activities:
Western Wisconsin Legal Services, Pro Bono Panel, 1992 - Present
Wisconsin Farm Mediation and Arbitration Program, Volunteer Mediator, 1986 - Present
La Crosse County Free Legal Clinic, 2006 - Present