Russell Winfield Schell

Russell Winfield Schell was born July 26, 1950 to Russell H.E. Schell and Elizabeth Brown Schell in Shreveport, Louisiana. Russ graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1968, and went on to obtain an undergraduate and law degree from his beloved University of Texas in Austin. After obtaining his law degree in 1974, Russ began on his path to becoming an elite, nationally recognized trial lawyer. He began his legal career with the firm Thompson Coe, where he quickly earned a reputation for success in the courtroom and worked his way to the rank of partner in short order. Following Thompson Coe, he moved to Riddle & Brown heading their litigation division. In 1992, he left there and started his own firm. Although the name of the firm changed over the years, one thing remained constant – with Russ at the helm, the trajectory was always up. In 2007 Russ and Susan Cooley formed Schell Cooley LLP, a firm known for zealous advocacy, exceptional professional competence, and most importantly, a reputation for maintaining the highest ethical standards in the industry. It was a universally known fact by judges, lawyers, and clients alike, if Russ says it, you can absolutely count on it. In 2021, Russ would form the final iteration of the firm he started so many years ago when he and Susan added Casey Campbell as a name partner to form Schell Cooley Campbell LLP.

In 2020, Russ married the love of his life, Alejandra Castañeda-Schell. While his work was obviously important, nothing held a candle to how important Alejandra and her love was to him. Russ could regularly be heard sharing with perfect strangers (including jury panels) just how incredible his wife is, and that he had begun attempting to perfect his Spanish accent (which plenty of potential jurors said he was still a long way from perfecting), which only served to evidence just how strong their bond was. Alejandra, her two children, James and Arlie, and their beloved German Shepherd Odo made Russ’s world complete.

In addition to loving his family and his firm, Russ held a strong love for fitness and the game of golf. And as per typical Russ Schell fashion, when it came to doing things he loved, when he played golf, he did it at an elite level. Russ’s golf history included playing some of the world’s most prestigious courses, including Pebble Beach, Augusta National, and St. Andrews Links. But he could also be found practicing putting in his office while on a conference call with judges or lawyers. Any time was still a good time for golf.

To those who knew Russ best, he was more than just a larger-than-life courtroom presence; he was a fierce supporter, a booming laugher, and a powder keg in the most exciting ways imaginable. The things that made Russ an exceptional lawyer, are the same things that made him an exceptional friend and husband – because of his unmatched level of loyalty, if he was on your side, you never went through any fight alone, and no matter what the fight was, Russ was going to give it his all, and he’d excel in it. Russ protected his people, whether they were clients, colleagues, employees, friends, or family - his people were not to be trifled with. Beyond his legendary status as a trial lawyer, Russ leaves behind a legacy of what it means to “live out your purpose.” He put his all into everything he did, which is why he did so many things so well, creating a massive void left behind by the unforgettable impact of his well lived life.

The visitation will be held at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm, with the Funeral Service taking place in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to LifeLine Service Dogs at lifelineservicedogs.org.