Hon. Russell W. Hartigan '64

His trial experience includes representing plaintiffs and defendants in more than 60 jury trials in Illinois state and federal courts. These complex litigation cases have included casualty and municipal defense, workers compensation, and personal injury. Russ is a court certified mediator for the Circuit Court of Cook County and an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association and Resolute Systems. He is a frequent lecturer on legal topics including jury selection, expert disclosure, cross-examination, post-trial motions and appeals, and has served as an adjunct professor at The John Marshall Law School, DePaul University, and Northwestern University. Russ currently teaches at Chicago Kent College of Law – IIT Law School.

Russ actively serves the legal community. He is the current President of the Illinois State Bar Association and has served the ISBA on its Board of Governors and as Secretary and Treasurer. Russ completed his tenure as President of the West Suburban Bar Association, and he is a current member of the Illinois Bar Foundation Executive Committee, the American Bar Association House of Delegates, and the Illinois Judges Association. Russ has also been appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve on its Committee on Judicial Performance and Evaluation as well as the Pre-trial Detainees Special Committee. He is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and past President of the John Marshall Alumni Board.

Russ is also actively involved in the community. He currently serves as a Board member at Pillars, a nonprofit provider of mental health and social services in the Chicagoland area and was involved with the Berwyn PAV YMCA. He is a past President of the Berwyn-Cicero Council on Aging and in numerous elected positions, including: Township Supervisor of Lyons Township; Lyons Township Trustee; Lyons Township School Trustee and Trustee of the Village of Western Springs where he also served on its Zoning Board.

Russ attended DePaul University and graduated in 1970 and also attended their MBA program, then attended The John Marshall Law School where he earned his J.D. in 1975. He is a member of the American Bar Association, The IL State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the West Suburban Bar Association, the Southwest Bar Association and the Northwest Suburban Bar Association.

Russ has been an active and longtime member of the Saint Ignatius Law Society, and recently became a lifetime member. He was inducted into the Saint Ignatius Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. Russ is still an active high school and college football referee.

Russ is married and has three children, one of whom attended Saint Ignatius and is a lawyer, Michael, Class of 1993. Russ is also the proud grandfather of six grandchildren... and counting. He joined Goldstine, Skrodzki, Russian, Nemec and Hoff, Ltd. in 2017. Russ brings to the firm judicial experience as well as significant litigation and trial experience.