Atty. Russell D. Babb

Atty. Russell D. Babb

Russell D. Babb was born in Wilson, North Carolina.

Raleigh Raleigh 27 yrs experience 27 year
Call (919) 821-4711 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Russell D. Babb at a glance

Russell D. Babb is a criminal defense and white collar attorney based in Raleigh, North Carolina, practicing at Tharrington Smith LLP. They have 27+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1999. Admitted to practice in North Carolina (1999). Educated at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D., 1999). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Raleigh) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026). Serands clients in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Russell D. Babb was born in Wilson, North Carolina
  • He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar and co-captain of the 1995 Carolina football team
  • A four-year starter as an offensive lineman for the Tar Heels, Mr. Babb was also the winner of the 1995 Jim Tatum Award, which is presented each year to the top Senior Scholar-Athlete in the Atlantic Coast Conference
  • After college, Mr. Babb entered the University of North Carolina School of Law
  • During law school, he participated in the UNC Criminal Law Clinic and served as president of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
  • After receiving his law degree in 1999, Mr. Babb practiced civil litigation for several years before changing his focus to criminal defense
  • In 2014, Mr. Babb was elected to a three year position on the Wake County Bar Association Board of Directors and served on the Wake County Bar’s Strategic Planning Committee, tasked with helping the WCBA and Tenth Judicial District set its goals and visions for the coming years
  • He has been selected to the 10th Judicial District Grievance Committee beginning 2018
  • In 2015, Mr. Babb was inducted into the Fellowship of the American Bar Foundation
  • Mr. Babb most recently worked as an Assistant Public Defender in Wake County, and has represented criminal defendants at all levels of state court in North Carolina
  • He has also defended clients in federal court and is admitted to practice in the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • Mr. Babb is a member of the Wake County Bar Association, the Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers, the North Carolina Bar Association, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Bar Association, and the American Association for Justice

Practice Areas Explained

Russell D. Babb's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Russell D. Babb handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Russell D. Babb is one of 214,271 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in North Carolina →

White Collar Crimes

Russell D. Babb is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in North Carolina →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in North Carolina

Practicing law in North Carolina. Legal matters in North Carolina are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Raleigh are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate North Carolina state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in North Carolina brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in North Carolina courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional North Carolina attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Raleigh or all attorneys in North Carolina.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Russell D. Babb

Where is Russell D. Babb's law office located?
Russell D. Babb's law practice is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The firm is Tharrington Smith LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Russell D. Babb handle?
Russell D. Babb focuses on criminal defense, white collar. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in North Carolina.
How long has Russell D. Babb practiced law?
Russell D. Babb has 27+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1999.
Where did Russell D. Babb go to law school?
Russell D. Babb earned their education at (J.D., 1999).
How can I contact Russell D. Babb for a consultation?
You can contact Russell D. Babb directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Russell D. Babb received?
Russell D. Babb's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Raleigh); Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice; Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — DUI / DWI Defense.

Education

J.D.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- 1999

Awards

Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Raleigh)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — DUI / DWI Defense
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Fellow, American Bar Foundation, 2016
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — AV Preeminent Peer Reviewed Lawyer, Martindale Hubbell, since 2016
- 2026

Bar Admissions

North Carolina
Admitted: 1999

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