About Russell D.
Russell D. Babb built his foundation at the University of North Carolina. He earned a B.A. in political science in 1996 and continued at the University of North Carolina School of Law, receiving his J.D. in 1999. Those years framed an interest in courtroom work and public service that would shape his career.
He began practicing soon after law school. In 1999 he was an associate at Johnston, Allison, & Hord, P.A. Two years later he joined McMillan, Smith, & Pyler as an associate working directly with Stephen T. Smith. In 2003 he took an associate position at Temple Law Office, PLLC. The sequence of early firm work gave him steady exposure to state-court litigation and client counseling.
In 2007 Babb moved into public defense, joining the Wake County Public Defender’s Office as an assistant public defender. That role put him in front of juries and judges on a daily basis. It also deepened his practical trial experience and familiarity with criminal procedure. Over time he expanded the jurisdictions in which he practices, gaining admission to the North Carolina bar and to federal courts across the state: the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina. He is also admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Babb maintains a long record of professional affiliations. He is a member of the Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers, the Wake County Bar Association and the 10th Judicial District Bar, both of which list him as a member since 1999. He belongs to the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. Nationally, his memberships include the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Bar Association, and the American Association for Justice. These memberships reflect sustained engagement with the criminal defense bar and trial practice communities.
He currently practices at Tharrington Smith LLP. Colleagues describe him as steady in court and prepared at the podium. He handles cases at both the trial and appellate levels and represents clients in state and federal forums. His work continues to center on criminal defense and appellate practice, and he focuses his practice on defending clients in state and federal criminal matters.
