A graduate of Harvard Law School, Karen Russell frequently appears on CNN, MSNBC and TruTV - as a legal and political analyst dissecting high-profile trials and debating national political issues. She thanks you for helping to free Genarlow Wilson.

Karen’s appeared on several national radio and television shows like: “Anderson Cooper 360”, “Scarborough Country”, “The Abrams Report”, “The Most with Alison Stewart”, “Verdict With Dan Abrams”, and “American Morning”. Karen provided legal commentary on several high-profile cases including: Michael Jackson, Scott Peterson, Kobe Bryant, Jayson Williams, and the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case.

Karen is the proud daughter of the NBA legend, Bill Russell. HBO Sports named Bill “The Greatest Winner in the 20th Century” and Karen incorporates his winning team leadership principles into her corporate leadership training.

Karen works as an attorney, corporate trainer and political strategist. Karen helps employers create a positive work environment, boost productivity and resolve employment issues before they become lawsuits.

Karen produced The Bill Russell Tribute – a benefit for the National Mentoring Partnership. Hosted by Bill Cosby, the tribute featured Tom Brokaw, Jim Brown, Frank Deford, Aretha Franklin, and Johnny Mathis plus over thirty of the NBA’s “Fifty Greatest Players” including: Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, and Julius Erving. She has also appeared on HBO’s “Bill Russell: My Life, My Way”, ESPN Sports Century, and the Sundance Channel’s Iconoclasts episode “Bill Russell and Samuel L. Jackson”.

As a member of the Writer’s Guild of America, Karen wrote for NBC’s sitcom “The Single Guy” and co-produced the comedy "Good Luck Chuck" starring Dane Cook and Jessica Alba which opens this fall. Karen also wrote “Growing Up With Privilege And Prejudice” a cover story for the New York Times Sunday Magazine. The Seattle Times featured her civil rights op-ed “Continuing Our Parents' Struggle for Justice”.

Previously, Karen represented writers and directors at United Talent Agency in Beverly Hills and served as Executive Director of Artists for a New South Africa. Karen has also worked as the West and Mid-West Finance Director for the Democratic National Committee and as the Development Director for the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights.

Karen enjoys public speaking, especially moderating panels. Highlights include:

Washington Women Lawyers: “Civil Rights Symposium”
ABA Conference for the Minority Lawyer: “Celebrity Justice: Press Freedom and Fair Trials”
Washington State Women’s Political Caucus Training: “The Power of Inclusion: Organizing Ethnic Groups” and “Connecting with Communities of Color - Outreach That Works”
Texas Diversity Conference: "Diversity in the Legal Profession" and "Making Partner"
The White House Project: “Vote, Run, Lead” Washington State Candidate Training
OneWorld Now!: Global Leadership Dinner featuring keynote speaker Bill Gates Sr.
Seattle Association of Black Journalists: "Media Access Workshop"
National Association Of Black Journalists: Is the NBA Age Limit Racist or Smart Business?
American Civil Liberties Union: September Project “Unconstitutional” and The Patriot Act




Blog Entries by Karen Russell

Palin: No Press Conference, No Medical Records, No Big Surprise

53 Comments | Posted November 3, 2008 | 01:06 AM (EST)


Sarah Palin hasn't had a press conference or released her medical records. I'm not surprised.

The McCain/Palin camp telegraphed that Palin wouldn't have a press conference. Back in early September, McCain's Head Mudslinger Rick Davis said Palin wouldn't take tough questions from reporters "until the point in time when...

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Ashley The Liar: Another Moment In The "Black Kid Did It!" History

45 Comments | Posted October 25, 2008 | 11:16 PM (EST)


A while ago I pointed out that every couple of years, the "black kid" gets blamed for some random crime by some random white person:

Now Lindsay Lohan is that random White person. Lindsay has played the race card. She claimed that the "Black kid" was driving after...

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McCain: Stop the "Hate Talk Express"

40 Comments | Posted October 10, 2008 | 09:02 PM (EST)


"Kill Him!"
"Traitor!"
"Terrorist!"
"Sit Down Boy!"
"Barack HUSSEIN Obama!"
"That One!"
"Bomb Obama!"


Senator John McCain needs to put the brakes on the "Hate Talk Express." McCain must end the shameful and dangerous hate mongering erupting daily at McCain/Palin rallies....

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It's McCain's Debate To Lose

7 Comments | Posted September 26, 2008 | 04:23 PM (EST)


For months, McCain has been bragging about his twenty-six years of foreign policy experience while belittling Obama's experience and judgment in this arena. We've heard how this is McCain's sweet spot. That no one is more qualified to navigate murky global waters.

As Nate Silver aptly points out in the...

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Stop Whining, Get Busy

Posted September 21, 2008 | 09:33 PM (EST)


The democrats need to stop whining about Senator Obama, get off our butts and help him win. Enough with the all the hand wringing, with all the "what Obama NEEDS to do NOW" advice and Hillary comeback fantasies. Obama WILL win but he needs YOUR help.

Let's focus our energy...

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We Are Here Because Of Ashley

Posted March 18, 2008 | 03:48 PM (EST)


Yes He Did.

Senator Obama shows us what kind of president he will be in a crisis. Obama will be a brilliant teacher, a sincere uniter and an inspirational leader. Often accused of peddling false hope and empty rhetoric, Obama put that criticism behind him. Obama put his words...

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Black Magic Is A Hoop Dream

Posted March 15, 2008 | 11:21 PM (EST)


Before there was March Madness, there was Black Magic, the story of basketball's black pioneers. I love sports, I love great films, and I especially love great, sports films. Filmmaker Dan Klores' Black Magic is a great, sports film and more.

Black Magic is an entertaining, engaging and...

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Breaking News: Obama's Car Does Not Have A Giant, Yellow, Magnetic "I Support The Troops!" Ribbon

Posted February 25, 2008 | 09:54 PM (EST)


WASHINGTON - A photo appearing on the internet of Senator Barack Obama's Chrysler 300 without a giant, yellow, magnetic "I Support The Troops!" ribbon is causing chaos in the presidential campaign over what constitutes a smear.

The AP photo show Obama's car in his Chicago, IL. driveway WITHOUT a...

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Whitewater v. Rezko: The Battle of the Billing Records

Posted January 24, 2008 | 10:45 AM (EST)


It's baaack! Just when you thought it was safe, we are back at Whitewater. If Hillary and her attack pack want to play the Rezko card, let's all strap on some waders, because now we're forced to wade through the Whitewater mud again.

Clinton claimed...

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Zip It, Bill!

Posted January 22, 2008 | 01:32 AM (EST)


Senator Obama nailed it during the South Carolina debate when he mentioned Bill Clinton, "I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes."

Don't get me wrong. I love Bill Clinton. I always have. I hope I always will. But lately, not so much.

...

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Chris Matthews' Loofah-Like Leering

Posted August 12, 2007 | 02:33 PM (EST)


As if his Bush ass-kissing weren't enough to get you to turn the channel, Friday's Hardball exchange with CNBC Street Signs anchor Erin Burnett is enough to turn your stomach.

Matthew's transcript isn't "up" yet on MSNBC.com but here is a rough version:

MATTHEWS: Yeah. Could you...

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Great Moments In The "Black Kid Did It!" History

Posted July 28, 2007 | 03:06 AM (EST)


Every couple of years, the "Black kid" gets blamed for some random crime by some random White person.

Now Lindsay Lohan is that random White person. Lindsay has played the race card. She claimed that the "Black kid" was driving after she got pinched for a DUI. I...

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A Real Hot Ghetto Mess: Blacks Locked Up Five Times More Than Whites

Posted July 19, 2007 | 03:30 AM (EST)


I was all fired up and poised to blog about the Hot Ghetto Mess TV show flap after I read that BET's Reginald Hudlin is comparing his shameful minstrel show to Bill Cosby's calls for change and responsibility.

"The intent of the show is no different than...
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Happy Birthday President Bush!

Posted July 6, 2007 | 05:44 AM (EST)


Happy Birthday President Bush!

I am on a lot of weird mailing lists. A few days ago, Robert M. "Mike" Duncan - RNC Chairman sent me an e-mail asking me to help President Bush celebrate his 61st Birthday. Mike urged me not to miss this opportunity wish the President a...

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Real Shamnesty, Scooter Walks

Posted July 3, 2007 | 03:41 AM (EST)


"All Men Are Created Equal" -- The Declaration of Independence

All men are created equal, except for mobbed-up, White House perjurers who are apparently MORE equal than the rest of us.

King George sure loves to bend the rules when it comes to his cronies. Today, it was "Heck...

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"I Got A Crush...On Obama!" How Should Campaigns Respond To Voter Generated Content?

Posted June 14, 2007 | 01:46 AM (EST)


If you are running for president, how do you respond intelligently and effectively to "tribute videos and ads," like the new risqué "I Got A Crush.... On Obama" video? Should a campaign always distance itself from these types of ads or videos? Is "no comment" and "we didn't do...

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Free Paris, Nail Nifong and Let Genarlow Go

Posted June 12, 2007 | 11:28 AM (EST)


"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." -- Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Even with Paris. Especially with the Duke lacrosse players. It will be fascinating to see the tables turned on disgraced Duke District attorney Mike Nifong's...

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Enough Already: Georgia Needs To Free Teen Serving Ten Years For Consensual Oral Sex. Now.

Posted June 6, 2007 | 01:50 PM (EST)


Like the Duke Rape Case, we have another case of prosecutors run wild. Like the Duke Rape Case, we have the uneasy intersection of sex and race. Like the Duke Rape Case, justice is long overdue.

Enough already: Georgia needs to free Genarlow Wilson. Now.

It boggles the...

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Obama: "People Are Hungry For Change"

Posted June 2, 2007 | 04:15 PM (EST)


"People are hungry for change"

- Senator Barack Obama

Yesterday in Seattle, Senator Obama nailed the central issue in the Presidential campaign when he said," People are hungry for change."

Obama addressed enthusiastic crowds at a few Seattle events:

Sen. Barack Obama appeared in Seattle on Friday...
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On What Planet Is The Confederate Flag NOT Racist?

Posted May 16, 2007 | 01:45 AM (EST)


On what planet is the Confederate Flag NOT racist? Here on Planet Earth, the Klan uses the Confederate Flag as symbol of white supremacy. Get a clue. If the Klan is using your symbol, it's racist.

To deny that it is racist is to deny common sense...

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