JOHN RUSSELL CAMPBELL Partner | Birmingham

Litigation Balch Sports

(205) 226-3438 [email protected]

Education The 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.

“ 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.' ”

- Chambers USA

Q&A What 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. 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