Russell J. Austin Attorney

First Admitted: 1980, California

Professional Webpage: https://www.murphyaustin.com/attorneys/russell-j-austin/

Bar/Professional Activity:

California Lawyers Association, Real Property Section
Sacramento County Bar Association, Business and Real Property Sections
American Bar Association
State Bar of California

Pro bono/Community Service:

NAIOP Board of Directors, Member (2023-2024)
UC Davis Medical Center Advisory Board Member (2020); KVIE Public Television, Board of Directors (2015-2018); MERISTEM, Board of Directors (2015-2018); Lambda Alpha International (Sacramento Chapter), Board of Directors (2013-2015) (Membership Committee Chair); The Sutter Club, Board of Directors (2010-2012); Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Davis, Council Member, Dean’s Advisory Council (2005-2008); Co-Chair of Flood Control Transition Team for Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson (2008-2009): Co-chaired volunteer team to brief incoming Mayor Johnson on flood control protection issues, status of current flood control improvement projects and make recommendations on possible actions to expedite completion of such improvements; Crocker Art Museum Association, Board of Directors (2001-2008), Chair of Building and Grounds Committee (2004-2008) (lead responsibility for negotiation and documentation of the agreements with the City of Sacramento and the design and constructions agreements for the Museum’s $100 million dollar expansion); Sacramento Valley Conservancy, Board of Directors (2002-2010), President (2004-2006), Vice President (2003-2004), Chair of Acquisitions Committee (2004-2010), focused on conservation transactions, preserving 4,000 acres of natural habitat located in the Cosumnes River/Deer Creek Watershed region, and the Elkhorn Basin Ranch in Yolo County.; Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors (2000-2003), Legal Counsel (1999); served on Executive Committee as Vice Chair of Community Development (2000-2003) and spearheaded Regional Arts Strategic Plan Task Force process and Co-Chaired team charged with implementing Task Force recommendations; chaired Blue Ribbon Task Force reporting on the Port of Sacramento; participated on Blue Ribbon Task Forces for reporting on funding for new River Cats baseball stadium and development of new sports/entertainment arena for Sacramento Kings; participated and led “issues” teams in numerous “Cap to Cap” and study mission visits to other cities; Sacramento Public Library Foundation, Board of Directors (1999-2002); California Museum for History, Women & the Arts (formerly known as the Golden State Museum), Board of Directors (1997-2000); Boalt Hall Alumni Association, Board of Directors (1997-2000); Legal Services Trust Fund Commission, Commission Member (1994-1997); Commission Chair (1997); Legal Services of Northern California, Board of Directors (1988-1994); President (1989-1993);Voluntary Legal Services of Northern California, Board of Directors (1986-1992); Chair (1988-1992); Business Volunteers for the Arts, President (1993-1994); Board of Directors (1988-1994); Sacramento Barristers Association (formerly known as Sacramento Young Lawyers Association), Board of Directors (1984-1986)
In 1992, Russell received a President’s Pro Bono Service award from the California State Bar and, in 1993, he received a Pro Bono Publico award from the American Bar Association. Russell has provided pro bono representation to organizations, including the Crocker Art Museum Foundation, The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts, B Street Theatre and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern California.

Honors/Awards:

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law (1997 through 2025 Editions), U.S. News – Best Lawyers in America
Awarded the Making the Difference Award for loyal dedication and unwavering commitment, VLSP/Capital Pro Bono (2024), VLSP/Capital Pro Bono Making the Difference Award, 2024
Awarded the LAI Sacramento Capitol Award for distinguished professional accomplishments in real estate and conservation law, along with substantial civic involvement and philanthropy, Lambda Alpha International (LAI) Land Economics Society, Sacramento Chapter (2024), LAI Sacramento Capitol Award, 2024
Best Lawyers in America’s Sacramento Real Estate Lawyer of the Year, 2010
Conservation Impact Award Winner, awarded to the individual who excels in environmental protection and makes significant contributions toward advancing rangeland conservation, issued by California Rangeland Trust , California Rangeland Trust, 2019
Listed in Sacramento Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Real Estate (2015-2022), Business/Corporate (2018-2022), Sacramento Magazine
Centennial Fellow of the Sacramento County Bar Foundation, Awarded to “attorneys at the pinnacle of achievement who, through distinguished professional accomplishment and substantial civic involvement and philanthropy, have earned a legacy as founding pillars of the Sacramento legal community.” , Sacramento County Bar Foundation, 2018
Sacramento County Bar Association's Distinguished Attorney of the Year, awarded each year to the attorney who “through the practice of law, has made Sacramento a better place to live and work.” , 2017
Champion of Change for Saint John's Program for Real Change, awarded to those “who exemplify the core values of Saint John's: Love, Courage, Effort, Gratitude, Respect, Community, and Growth” and go “above and beyond to support the mission of Saint John's and the women and children working hard to break the cycle of homelessness, poverty, and dependence for good.” , 2017
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year, 2001
California State Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award, 1992
Named in the Sacramento Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar” list, 2013-2019
Sacramento County Bar Association Humanitarian of the Year, 1994
Business Volunteer of the Year, Business Volunteers for the Arts, 1991
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award, 1993
AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, 1992-Present

Educational Background:

University of California, Berkeley School of Law, J.D., 1980, Order of the Coif
University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A., History, summa cum laude, 1974

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

“Contracts – Do’s and Don’ts and Helpful Tips to Avoid Litigation,” Presenter, Placer County Bar Association (2019)
“Foreclosures in California,” Co-authored with Catherine Oh
Visiting Professor of Law, McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific (2014-2015)
Visiting Professor of Law, King Hall School of Law, University of California, Davis (2010-2011)
Presenter, Real Property Section of the Sacramento County Bar Association, Conservation Easements (2008)
Panelist and Moderator, California Continuing Education of the Bar, Program on Real Property Purchase and Sale Agreements (1990-2006)
Speaker, Real Property Section of Sacramento County Bar Association, Partnership Dissolutions (2003)
Moderator and Panelist, California Commercial Real Estate Financing, Lorman Education Services (2001)
Lecturer in Law, Real Estate Finance, University of California, Davis (1992-1994)
Adjunct Professor, L.L.M in Taxation Program, McGeorge School of Law (1983-1989)
Instructor, Hastings College of the Law, University of California (1981-1982)

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