While working as a paralegal at Pattison & Brewer in London, she cross-qualified as a solicitor, developing a practice in employment law.[6] She then worked for several years at Slater & Gordon before moving to Fox Whitfield and Rebel Law Ltd to work as a consultant solicitor.[7][8]
Russell has also worked as a supervising solicitor at the Equality and Employment Law Centre.[7] She served as a trustee of Benchill Community Centre and was a school governor at Rackhouse Primary.[citation needed]
Political career
Between 2014 and 2023, Russell represented Northenden ward as a councillor on Manchester City Council.[citation needed] She served as chair of the council's Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee as well as vice-chair of the Wythenshawe Community Housing Group.[9]
Russell later became chair of the Congleton Labour Party.[10]
Ahead of the 2024 general election, Russell was selected as the prospective Labour candidate for Congleton.[5] She was elected as MP with 37.7% of the vote and a majority of 3,387 votes.[2] She overturned a majority of over 18,000 votes.
Personal life
Russell is married with three children and lives in Congleton.[11]