Russ graduated the University of Georgia School of Business with a degree in accounting sum cum laude in 1981. In 1984, he graduated the University of Georgia School of Law, cum laude. After beginning his professional career in the tax department of an international accounting firm in Atlanta, he associated with a major law firm in Savannah, where he became a tax partner in 1990. Subsequently, he and other former tax partners formed Simpson & Creasy, P.C. Russ now is the sole principal of Simpson Law, PC. Russ' career includes experience with corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, estates, trusts, qualified retirement plans, IRA's and exempt organizations. Today, his law practice primarily is concentrated in the areas of estate and trust planning, taxation and administration for the affluent and matters ancillary thereto. Russ is a member of the American Bar Association (Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law), Georgia Bar Association (Fiduciary Law Section) and the Savannah Bar Association. He is a past president of the Savannah Estate Planning Council and a past officer and director of numerous civic organizations. He especially is pleased and honored to be the president of The Savannah Community Foundation, Inc., a public charity with assets in excess of $15,000,000, which, through the generosity of its patrons, makes grants averaging $2,500,000 per year.