Claudia Russell is a seasoned attorney and government relations expert with a background that includes employment in all three branches of government and an extensive network of key legislators, decision makers, and lobbyists in Texas. Ms. Russell has worked for and with both Republican and Democrat legislators in the House and Senate during her 23-year career associated with the Texas Legislature.

Legislative Representation: Ms. Russell works with clients to develop plans to prioritize contacts with legislative leadership, individual legislators, and agency executives. She assists clients with the development of strategic positions and arguments related to the specific issues they face. She works in concert with other interests and lobbyists to achieve a coordinated and more effective effort on her clients’ behalf.

Representative Experience

 – City of San Marcos: Passed legislation designating it as Mermaid Capital of Texas

 – El Paso County:

— Reformed local Emergency Services Districts

— Merged County and City Housing Authorities

— Modified the Thomason Hospital Board size and rules

— Clarified requirements of the El Paso Medical Examiner

— Amended the Public Information Act

— Created a County Ethics Commission

 – Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District:

— Passed legislation that granted the district additional latitude to adopt an alternative fee structure and encourage voluntary conservation

— Passed legislation that changed district boundaries

— Amended the Water Code to allow for a desalination pilot project

 – Wise County: Passed legislation granting counties better bonding rates

 – Lavaca Navidad River Authority: Passed legislation to grant economic powers to the river authority

 – Owens-Illinois, Inc.: Created the Texas Container Recycling Coalition and worked to have the recycling issue placed as a 2012 interim charge for Senate Business and Commerce Committee

 – Hewlett-Packard Company: Worked on litigation related to contracts and lease agreements

 Staff Attorney, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

General Counsel to Senator Judith Zaffirini, Texas Senate

Chief of Staff to Representative Tommy Merritt, Texas House of Representatives

Legislative Aide to Speaker James E. “Pete” Laney, Texas House of Representatives

Law Clerk to Chief Judge Glen H. Davidson, United States District Court, Northern District of Mississippi

Adjunct Professor, Business Law, University of Mississippi

Staff Attorney, Office of the Mississippi State Auditor

Law Clerk, Supreme Court of Mississippi

Austin Bar Association

Meals on Wheels Volunteer

Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, Volunteer Attorney

“Overview: The 88th (Regular) Session—Environmental and Water Law,” Co-Author (with Susan M. Maxwell), Texas Bar Journal (The Legislative Update Issue), September 2023

“Environmental and Water Law,” Co-Author (with Susan M. Maxwell), Texas Bar Journal (The Legislative Update Issue), September 2021

“Bond Elections: Recent Legislative Changes,” Co-Author (with Gregory D. Miller), Texas County Progress magazine, August 2020