Senator Richard B. Russell and My Career as a Trial Lawyer

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, as the middle of three boys, Charles Campbell grew up on a small cattle farm outside Jackson, Georgia. While a student at the University of Georgia in 1965, he accepted an offer to join the staff of Senator Richard B. Russell in Washington DC on one condition—that he be allowed to attend law school at night. Campbell worked for Russell from January 1, 1966 until Russell’s death on January 21, 1971. In 1968, Russell appointed Campbell as his top aide. Campbell learned life-transforming lessons from Russell about integrity, hard work, and responsibility. He travelled extensively with Russell, attended his family reunions, and was one of the few people in Russell’s hospital room when he died. After Russell’s death, and Campbell’s receipt of his law degree, Campbell returned to Georgia and realised his boyhood dream of being a trial lawyer. He started giving talks before bar groups on the importance of civility and professionalism.