Prior to entering into private practice, she served as a staff attorney with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court, and a corporate trust officer and administrator for a national bank. She also served as a sergeant in the United States Army Reserves. Russell-Washington earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from Franklin University, her Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Law, and a LLM (Master of Law) in business and taxation from Capital University Law School. She is an adjunct professor for Wilberforce University, and has served on boards, such as Huckleberry House and the Africentric Personal Development Shop (APDS).