Hon. Robert Russell (ret.) is an emeritus member and past chair of the All Rise Board of Directors. He served as a judge in New York’s Buffalo City Court and Erie County Court for 30 years. Judge Russell established the first veterans treatment court in the country and also implemented and presided over Buffalo’s drug treatment court, mental health court, and judicial diversion treatment court. He is a past president of the New York Association of Treatment Court Professionals (NYATCP) and served on the National Advisory Board of the Judges’ Criminal Justice/Mental Health Leadership Initiative at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Judge Russell is a recipient of both the Stanley Goldstein Treatment Court Hall of Fame Award and the Veterans Treatment Court Hall of Fame Award from All Rise, in addition to the White House Advocates for Action Award from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President. He is the recipient of several awards of merit from the American Bar Association and New York State Bar Association, as well as the NYATCP Leadership Award. Since retirement, he has served on several advisory boards and committees of several New York state agencies. Judge Russell received his juris doctor degree from Howard University School of Law.