Russell, who has taught at Quinnipiac Law since 2011, was confirmed Tuesday by the U.S. Senate after a 50-44 vote. The confirmation ended a 13-month process, after Russell was nominated by President Joe Biden in October 2023 and approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee last December.

“We’re delighted that Sarah has been recognized for her deep legal expertise and nuanced judgment with her appointment as a federal judge,” Quinnipiac President Judy Olian said Wednesday. “As a longtime member of the Quinnipiac family, we are so proud of her impact as a member of the legal community of Connecticut, and so grateful for her many contributions as a teacher and mentor to our law students.”

For Jennifer Gerarda Brown, former dean of the School of Law and now a professor of law, Russell’s confirmation is evidence of an extraordinary legal career.

“Those of us who have worked with Sarah while she’s been on our faculty at Quinnipiac have had so many opportunities to observe her precision, her stability and steadiness, her intellectual rigor and her kindness,” Brown said. “It’s really that combination of character virtues that will make her so effective as a judge.”

Brown was among those who gladly wrote letters of recommendation on Russell’s behalf as part of the nomination process.

“When a person is being considered for a lifetime appointment as a federal judge, the process needs to be very thorough. They want to hear from people who have known the nominee in many contexts,” Brown said. 

“There are so many people out there, including those of us at Quinnipiac, who were strongly advocating for Sarah,” Brown said. “Certainly, that goes back to her time at Yale Law School, and probably her time as a federal public defender with all the work she’s done on juvenile sentencing.”

For Brian Gallini, the new dean of the School of Law, Russell’s confirmation is a time for Quinnipiac to celebrate a historic accomplishment. The school plans to honor Russell in the days ahead, he said.

“As an entire university community, we all pause to appreciate this moment,” Gallini said. “It’s with a deep sense pride that one of our own faculty has the privilege of this appointment and has impacted so many students, faculty and staff on her journey to that appointment. 

“From the perspective of the law school, for us just to have the privilege of supporting and  following her impact now at a broader federal level is just so incredibly rewarding,” Gallini said. “I'm just so thrilled for her. I know I speak for the whole law school community when I say that we're at once sad to lose her, but just so excited for her and the sort of impact that she'll make on the federal judiciary.” 

For U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, Russell’s confirmation is a testament to the highest level of jurisprudence.

“Sarah Russell is a proven champion of justice — fighting to vindicate legal rights, often for the most vulnerable and voiceless. She has demonstrated a combination of intellect, integrity, and incredible work ethic — qualities that made her a gifted advocate, and now will make her a great judge,” said Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

Murphy echoed Blumenthal’s remarks.

“Sarah Russell has dedicated her career to serving the people of Connecticut and fighting for justice,” Murphy said. “Her experience both as a litigator and as an expert on sentencing policy and juvenile justice make her exceptionally qualified for this role, and I’m glad to see her confirmed today to continue her important work on the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.”

Prior to her time at Quinnipiac, Russell was a lecturer at Yale Law School and director of the Arthur Liman Public Interest Program. Russell also served as an assistant federal public defender from 2005-07 and as a law clerk for the Honorable Chester J. Straub of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Honorable Michael B. Mukasey of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Russell is a widely respected member of Connecticut’s legal community, having been appointed to serve on the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, the Connecticut Committee on Judicial Ethics and the Federal Grievance Committee. 

Russell is also an active member of her community, serving on the board of the Hamden Juvenile Review and the Connecticut Children’s Museum. Russell received both her undergraduate and law degrees from Yale University.