Overview

David Russell’s practice covers a wide range of complex commercial and business litigation. A shareholder based in the firm’s Lansing office, he has arbitrated, mediated, litigated, and tried cases in courts across Michigan and Florida. 

Dave’s clients include businesses and entities in the construction, real-estate, manufacturing, financial, higher education, automotive, pharmaceutical, and media industries. They are referred to him by current and former clients and colleagues, business colleagues, and other attorneys. Dave recently appeared on the Michigan Business Network to discuss legal insights on troubled assets, disputes and exit strategies in business and construction in reviewing aspects of business litigation.

A powerful courtroom advocate with a solid understanding of the disruption and skyrocketing costs of extended litigation and trial, Dave works with his clients from the outset to understand and achieve their goals. Sometimes this calls for an aggressive strategy from start to finish. More often clients want a resolution that balances the costs with the wrongs and an approach that gets the case to a point where it can be resolved in a reasonable manner. 

The cases typically fall into one of the following categories:

• Complex Commercial and Business Disputes
• Construction Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Tangentially, Dave also represents college athletes and coaches to achieve their goals. Dave is a former Vice President of the firm and a former co-leader of the General Litigation practice group. 

Honors & Recognitions

Affiliations

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations:

• American Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan
• State Bar of Florida
• Ingham County Bar Association

Community Involvement:

• Habitat for Humanity of Lansing, Board of Directors
• Homeless No More, Committee Member
• Northwood University, Instructor

Communications

Publications

• House Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs, Foster Swift Health Care Law E-blast, February 24, 2022
• Governor Whitmer Announces Name Change to Marijuana Regulatory Agency, Foster Swift Litigation E-blast, February 17, 2022
• When Family Opens for Business, Foster Swift Commercial Litigation E-News, July 1, 2010

News & Events

Speaking Engagements

• NIL Shift: Legal Insights and Future Trends in College Sports, Second Wednesday Sessions, April 9, 2025

News

• Foster Swift Attorneys Named 2025 Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, August 15, 2024
• Foster Swift Attorneys Named 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, August 17, 2023
• Foster Swift Attorneys Named 2023 Best Lawyers in America©, Best Lawyers in America, August 18, 2022
• The Marijuana Safety Testing Blow Up, Michigan Marijuana News (MM Report), March 15, 2022
• Foster Swift Elects EC Members for 2022, February 21, 2022
• Russell Discusses Implications of Massive Marijuana Recall Lawsuit, CBS News, November 29, 2021
• Foster Swift Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers in America©, August 19, 2021

Media

2nd Wednesday Lunch Break

NIL Shift: Legal Insights and Future Trends in College Sports