Russell Wilson II

Attorney Russell Wilson, II, began his legal career in Dallas after graduating with honors from the University Of Oklahoma College Of Law. He formed his own practice, with a focus on both civil and criminal matters. His early professional goals were to meet the needs of the average member of the community and provide top-notch legal representation to an underserved clientele. While he began as a generalist, his success in criminal cases soon became apparent. Russell was most serious about his mission to help people. He knew that clients facing criminal matters could suffer dire consequences without savvy and knowledgeable representation. Investigative aspects of his legal representation intrigue to him. Often, infractions and procedural mistakes are made by the prosecution: without a thorough and aggressive defense, defendants can easily become another statistic.

In 2003, Russell became Board Certified in Criminal Law, a distinction received after additional training – an honor few attorneys receive. During the course of his sixteen year practice, Russell successfully argued a variety of State and Federal cases at the trial and appellate levels.

After building a highly successful private practice, in 2011 Russell was handpicked by the Dallas District Attorney (DA) to direct Dallas’ Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU), the first of its kind in the country. The DA became aware of Russell’s reputation for proficiency and integrity within the legal community and knew it was important to continue the CIU work with an attorney who is an independent thinker and has the courage to question previous practices and outcomes. His vast experience in appellate and trial court procedures proved immeasurable in his new position which enabled him to provide an independent and unbiased review of the numerous cases pending against the city.

His work directing the CIU marked the most rewarding period of Russell’s career. He seized the opportunity to give back to the community on a larger scale. The work at the CIU not only had the potential to change lives of individuals cleared of wrongful convictions, the unit also provided an opportunity to repair the relationship between the city’s justice department and the community. Because of the work surrounding wrongful convictions, there is universal DNA testing and landmark change in eye-witness identifications. Russell believes it’s powerful when an organization can admit when it’s wrong. With Russell’s leadership, the CIU department acknowledged missteps and actively corrected mistakes thereby strengthening community relations. Although Russell faced many prosecutors and state and federal investigators in his private practice, his service on the prosecutorial side of the law was an eye-opening experience. He gained invaluable knowledge, nuances and practices revealed only after you join the prosecutions’ team. He is now able to utilize these experiences for his clients’ benefit in private practice.

Russell demonstrated additional leadership during his tenure at the DA’s office as he jointly managed a 500 person department and spearheaded the successful exoneration of 13 men. The Dallas CIU was responsible for the highest number of exonerations in the country in 2011 and 2012. Russell was also in charge of civil rights prosecutions against police officers, contempt charges against prosecutors, review of police actions and misconduct. Subsequently, under Russell’s direction, a Civil Rights Unit was established at the DA’s office, which implemented several policies to ensure accuracy in criminal convictions. Additionally, his work at the CIU led him to work with the Innocence Project and consult with other state agencies and nonprofits furthering his skills and experience to successfully review and manage wrongful conviction cases. His time at the DA also propelled his community relations work between the community and law enforcement; with an emphasis on justice and civil rights education as well as promoting citizens’ critical awareness to prevent injustices in all its forms.

After his service at the DA’s office, Russell returned to private practice where he continues to work on a variety of civil and criminal cases. In addition to his legal practice and community work, Russell also serves as an adjunct professor of law at Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law where he teaches a course on ethics. Additionally, Russell Wilson holds several board positions and is a frequent guest speaker on criminal law topics; community policing; and the importance of higher education. He is a resource to fellow attorneys, legal associations and Dallas area community groups.

Today, Russell sees his life’s work in the law as a steward of justice for individuals facing all types of legal matters. His goal for each client and case is to provide the most vigorous defense possible and level the playing field against a justice system that often values expediency over accuracy. Russell conveys to clients, young people and community members how one wrong mistake can lead to a lifetime of regret. He believes in an educated citizenry, stressing citizens must know their rights and have a basic understanding of the law: one’s life and continued freedom could depend on it. More importantly, Russell emphasizes the importance of obtaining effective counsel as soon as possible, especially in criminal matters, as the stakes are high. Extensive knowledge in an area of law and your counsel’s ability to navigate all phases of a case could be the difference between winning and losing or even your freedom.

• J.D. – 1995
• Order of Barristers – 1995
• Law Review: American Indian Law Review, Articles Editor, 1994 – 1995

University Of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

• B.A. – 1992

• Texas, 1995
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit

• Board Certified in Criminal Law, State Bar of Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2003
• Texas Association of District and Criminal County Attorneys 2011-Present
• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers, Board of Directors, 2005 -2011
• State Bar of Texas, Vice-Chair, District 6A Grievance Committee, 2004
• J.L. Turner Criminal Law Section, Chair, 2004 – 2006
• State Bar of Texas, Member, District 6A Grievance Committee, 2000 – 2004
• J.L. Turner Legal Association, Member, 1995 – Present
• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Member, 2000 – 2011
• Dallas County Criminal Defense lawyers Association, Member, 2000 – 2011
• Dallas Bar Association, Member, 2001 – Present
• William “Mac” Taylor Inn of Court, Member, 2003 – Present
• Patrick E. Higginbotham Inn of Court, Barrister, 2006 – 2009