Angelica F. Russell-Johnson

Associate

Angel brings a wealth of experience in arts administration to the Private Clients, Trusts and Estates practice.

Angelica Russel-Johnson

Angel advises clients on a broad range of estate planning issues with a focus on charitable gift planning and building a philanthropic legacy. Angel routinely navigates the probate and estate administration process, working alongside families and appraisers to value unique or illiquid assets. Angel’s background in nonprofit arts administration informs her understanding of the charitable sector and the complexities of tax-exempt entity formation, governance, compliance, and dissolution.

 

Boards, Memberships & Certifications

  • Goodman Theatre Spotlight Advisory Council, Member
  • Chicago Estate Planning Counsel, Member
  • Chicago Estate Planning Counsel, Emerging Leader (2022-2024)
  • Black Women Lawyers’ Association, Member
  • Howard University Alumni Association, Member
  • Law Students for the Creative Arts-Chicago, President (2018-2020)
  • Black Law Student Association-Chicago, Community Service Co-Chair (2018-2020)

Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

Publications

Presentations

  • “AI in Estate Planning: Ethical and Practical Considerations,” Washington, DC Estate Planning Council, Webinar (Mar. 27, 2024)
  • “AI in Estate Planning: Ethical and Practical Considerations,” Beverly Hills Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section, Webinar, co-presenter (Oct. 12, 2023)
  • “Gendered Language Within the African American Community,” College Language Association Convention, Chicago, IL (Mar. 21, 2018)

Recognitions 

  • Eta Sigma Phi, Member
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Howard University Legacy Scholar  
  • As a Gilman International Scholar in 2017, Angel studied at the University of Hyderabad in Hyderabad, India, where she was a guest lecturer on the role that language plays in reinforcing oppressive sexist, racist, and heteronormative standards.

Professional Activities

As a PILI fellow, Angel worked with Just the Beginning: A Pipeline Organization, a multiracial, nonprofit organization that has served the legal community for over 25 years. She developed curriculum for the Summer Legal Institute, created a First Amendment free speech violation hypothetical for use in mock oral arguments, and drafted legal evaluation metrics for judges to use when grading oral arguments. Angel is also a member of the Chicago Estate Planning Counsel Diversity Committee.

Perspectives