Mr. Russell Hensley

BA political science ’78

Mr. Russell Hensley was managing partner of The Bogatin Law Firm then served as CEO of The Hartwell Foundation Corporation based in Memphis, which grants awards to individuals for innovative and cutting-edge biomedical applied research that will potentially benefit children.

Mr. Russell J. ‘Rusty’ Hensley was born in Camp Springs, Maryland, and graduated from the University of Mississippi with a BA in political science in 1978. He then went on to the University of Memphis School of Law, where he received a JD in 1982.  He has practiced law for over 30 years and is a member of the Memphis and Tennessee Bar Associations. He serves as CEO of The Hartwell Foundation Corporation based in Memphis, which grants awards to individuals for innovative and cutting-edge biomedical applied research that will potentially benefit children.  Prior to joining The Hartwell Foundation Corporation, Mr. Hensley was Managing Partner of The Bogatin Law Firm, PLC and on the Board of Directors of the law firm Evans Petree, PC, both of Memphis.

Mr. Hensley was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2019 in the fields of Corporate Law as well as Mergers/Acquisitions Law for the 13th year. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers and is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell.  Rusty has served on the board of trustees of Memphis Athletic Ministries Inc. as well as Christian Brothers University in Memphis, where he was an adjunct professor teaching course work regarding negotiation of contracts, intellectual property laws, and environmental issues.

Rusty is married to Missy (Hunt), a native of Memphis who graduated from UM in 1980. Both of their sons, John and Hunt, graduated from UM. The Hensley’s reside in Memphis and Woodland Farms in Holly Springs, Mississippi.