EARLY
YEARS:
Russell Duty was born on September 15, 1966 in the small coal mining
town of Grundy, Virginia. Russell’s father and grandfathers
earned their living as coal miners. His father allowed him to
do small chores at the mines on the weekend to teach Russell the
value of hard work. Russell graduated from highschool at the
age of 17 in 1984.
COLLEGE:
After highschool, Russell attended Berea College in
Berea, Kentucky where he helped pay for his education by performing
various jobs ranging from Janitor to Assistant Director of Campus
Activities. Russell was the student body vice-president during
his senior year. He was a member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon
International Economic Honor Society and received the
Weather-Hammond Award for Appalachia Literature. Russell graduated
from Berea College in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration.
LAW SCHOOL:
Russell attended Washington & Lee University School
of Law in Lexington, Virginia with the assistance of scholarships.
To supplement his income during law school, Russell worked as a
waiter and as a legal clerk during the summers. Russell was a
mock trial finalist and a volunteer at the local legal aide clinic
assisting those less fortunate with legal problems. Russell
graduated from Washington & Lee University School of Law in 1991
with a Juris Doctorate.
After school Russell worked as a production worker in a plastics plant and as a laborer in a poultry processing plant prior to entering the military.
MILITARY
SERVICE:
After being admitted to the Kentucky Bar, Russell entered the U. S.
Army as a JAGC Officer in 1992. Upon completion of the U.S.
Army JAGC School, he was assigned to the 16th
Cavalry Regiment and later to the 194th Armor Brigade at
Fort Knox, Kentucky. While at Fort Knox, he held the positions
of Legal Assistance Attorney, Prosecutor and Legal Advisor for the
Law Enforcement Command, Personal Confinement Facility and the
Regional Correctional Facility. Russell also held the position
of special assistant U.S. Attorney being responsible for prosecuting
civilians in U.S. District Court whom committed crimes on Fort Knox.
Russell obtained the rank of Captain. Russell had the honor of being
awarded the Army Accommodation Medal by Colonel Braddock of the 194th
Armor Brigade in 1994. After leaving active duty, Russell continued to
serve his country in the U.S. Army Reserve for a short period.
CIVILIAN
EMPLOYMENT:
In 1995, Russell became a staff attorney for the
Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Board where he was responsible for
drafting opinions in appellate cases for the Board Member’s review.
Shortly after obtaining the staff attorney position, Russell was
hired by the Law Firm of Sheffer - Hoffman to do workers’
compensation defense work for employers and insurance companies.
Russell left Sheffer-Hoffman in 1998 to form a separate firm where
he has practiced a variety of law which includes; personal injury, workers’ compensation,
bankruptcy, social security, wills & estates, real estate, divorce,
custody, criminal and general litigation. He has also been an
adjunct professor at Brescia College teaching Business Law in the
core curriculum.
COMMUNITY
SERVICE:
Russell has been active in the Owensboro, Kentucky Community since
his arrival in 1995. He has served as a Membership Chair, Board Member,
Vice-President, and President of the Owensboro Lions Club.
He was Lion of the Year for 2002/2003 and was honored by Lions International
by being named a Melvin Jones Fellow in 2005.
He is a past member of the Contact Club and Small Business Committee
within the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. Russell is a graduate of the 2002 Grayson
County Leadership Class. He is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association.
CALL FOR FREE INITIAL
CONSULTATION:
685-0033 (OWENSBORO
AND DAVIESS CO., KENTUCKY)
1(866)685-0033 (ALL
OTHER AREAS)