Russell Button: The Winning Approach Court to Courtroom

From the basketball court to the courtroom, attorney Russell Button knows the value of hard work, discipline and teamwork. Attending college on a basketball scholarship, Button honed not just his athletic skills but the traits that would later define his legal career. The same determination and strategic thinking that made him a standout athlete now drive his success as an attorney, proving that the lessons learned in sports can be powerful tools for navigating life’s challenges and achieving professional excellence.

“I’ve seen the positive attributes gleaned through my basketball experience playing out in a variety of ways,” says Button. “Do you have to be a high-level athlete to be a successful lawyer? Absolutely not, but for me, playing team sports was instrumental in why I became a trial lawyer, and my abilities as a lawyer are a direct reflection of my all-in approach to everything I’m passionate about. From the time I was in sixth grade, I worked hard at perfecting my skills on the court and learned how to handle all the pressures that come with being part of a competitive team.”

for me, playing team sports was instrumental in why I became a trial lawyer, and my abilities as a lawyer are a direct reflection of my all-in approach to everything I’m passionate about.

Button during a Midwestern State University game.

Gently guided by both parents, Button’s mother encouraged him to pursue artistic endeavors, fostering his love for music, which led to his studying piano. Dad, on the other hand, who was an excellent basketball player in high school, helped his son not only with the practical skills needed to play the game but also inspired him to delve deeper into the lives and habits of some of the most celebrated athletes of the day.

“My dad introduced me to some great biographies about my heroes such as Michael Jordan, Larry Byrd and Magic Johnson,” says Button. “I learned about their daily routines, the mindset that helped lead them to become the great players they are, and even how they handled failures. Reading about these greats gave me insights into the path to becoming proficient at something and helped me appreciate how important self-discipline and good habits are in reaching your goals.”

“Because of all this, I learned to appreciate the hard work of the journey, which made the wins even better,” he adds.

For many, the daily routine that Button eagerly embraced might sound exhausting. While still in middle school, he woke up every morning for workouts and practice, and after finishing his homework and dinner, he’d head to the driveway to shoot hoops until bedtime.

The basis of this routine stuck with him throughout high school, college, and into his legal career, shifting from his focus on basketball to his dedication to helping families harmed by daycare and childcare negligence.

His dedication led to the scholarship that would carry him through his undergraduate studies. It was a solid foundation fortified by the support of his parents, coaches and teammates.

Button was a young child when he first saw a movie that would prove to be pivotal in his decision to go into law.

“Growing up, I didn’t know any lawyers, so watching ‘A Time to Kill’ was my first real exposure to what a lawyer could do and the impact one person can make,” he says. “Then, in high school, I played on a basketball team sponsored by Al Mendez, an accomplished trial lawyer. He was a huge supporter of mine and was instrumental in helping me get the scholarship and, subsequently, get into law school.

“Through that journey, meeting a lawyer for the first time and being so impressed with what he could accomplish, he became something of a mentor to me,” Button continues. “I remember him traveling with the team, and even when we were on the road, I noticed that he was always working. I was able to witness first-hand the dedication that it took to be an amazing trial lawyer.”

According to Button, he was also the person who pointed out the parallel between playing basketball and being a lawyer.

Button holding his Michael Jordan poster.

After graduating from law school, Button clerked at several law firms, gaining hands-on experience in various practice areas. However, he soon realized he had a vision for making a difference in the community and impacting people’s lives. This led him to establish The Button Law Firm.

After being a solo practitioner for several years, Button one day reached an important and monumental realization.

“I realized I was completely unfulfilled, unsatisfied and burned out,” he recalls. “I was doing what I loved;” I still felt very passionate about my work in catastrophic and complex personal injury. But I was missing doing it as part of a team.

“It took me a while to figure that out. But once I did, the first person I reached out to partner with was Ashley Knarr,” he adds. “After we started working together, we discovered our true passion for handling cases that dealt with daycare and childcare injuries and began adding to our team.

“Over the years, we’ve built a championship team from the ground up. Like my time playing basketball, at The Button Law Firm, having a team with the same passion and dedication for making a difference is one of my favorite parts of the job.”

Russell Button
Button holding the basketballs from his and his father’s last high school games.

Just as a scout might hand-pick the players for a winning team, Knarr and Button have brought together people who not only share their all-in approach but also bring unique skills and talents. They have subscribed to a team mindset that includes every member working on every case, each bringing his or her own special qualities. A display on their office wall clearly states the motto that drives the team of The Button Law Firm: The strength of the wolf is the pack.

“Falling back on those lessons learned while playing basketball, we strategize and prepare just as a team would practice and plan for a game,” he says. “We study our opponents, and our preparations include being fresh and ready for ‘game day.’”

It’s a method that works as the Button Law Firm team has become well known for their work on cases that are especially significant to all of them, particularly those involving daycare centers and abuse of children.

“Every member of our team has a passion for helping families across Texas. We all have unique backgrounds and perspectives, but we share a mission to get life-changing results for families impacted by daycare and childcare negligence,” says Button. “It’s a unique set of challenges handling these cases, but our team shows up every day and goes all-in to make a difference.”

At a Glance

The Button Law Firm

4315 West Lovers Lane, Suite A
Dallas, TX 75209
214-888-2216
buttonlawfirm.com

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