Russell Scott receives American Inns of Court 2012 Professionalism Award

ISBA Secretary Russell K. Scott has been selected to receive the American Inns of Court 2012 Professionalism Award for the Seventh Circuit. The award was presented by Judge J. Phil Gilbert, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois on May 7 in Chicago.

Scott is an officer and practice group manager in the Belleville firm of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., and is also a certified mediator. Well-known for his skill, professionalism, and integrity as a trial attorney, Scott has several areas of specialty including the defense of legal and medical malpractice suits, product liability actions, industrial accident cases, insurance matters, and commercial litigation.

Scott was a partner at Dunham, Boman, and Leskera in Belleville from 1976–1999 and served as senior law clerk for the Honorable John Marshall Karns, Jr. of the State of Illinois, Fifth District Appellate Court, from 1975–1976. Scott earned his undergraduate degree from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, and his JD from Washington University in St. Louis in 1974.

Scott has served for more than 17 years as chair of the Board of Directors of the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc., one of the largest legal aid organizations in Illinois. From 2001 –2011, he was chair of the Illinois Supreme Court Select Committee on Pro Bono Publico. He also chaired the Advisory Committee on Local Rules of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, and has served in various capacities on the Illinois Coalition for Equal Justice. His service in these and other efforts earned him the Illinois State Bar Association’s John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award in 1995. Scott has also been recognized by the ISBA as a Laureate of the Illinois Academy of Lawyers. He has held leadership positions in numerous local professional and service organizations, including being chairman of the City of Belleville’s Board of Fire and Police Commission for the past 15 years.

In nominating Scott for the award, Judge Gilbert writes “In addition to his considerable skills as a trial lawyer, Russell has throughout his career, exemplified the highest ideals of the legal profession. His record of service to the profession, especially in the area of legal services to the poor, is exceptional.”

The Professionalism Awards are presented on a circuit basis nationwide. The awards are underwritten in part by Thomson Reuters.