Russell W. Budd is an American trial lawyer best known for representing plaintiffs claiming toxic and chemical exposure such as asbestos. He is president and managing shareholder of the law firm Baron & Budd, P.C. The firm is handling claims against BP stemming from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.Budd is an active figure in politics as a fund-raiser for the Democratic Party, and hosted such an event for President Barack Obama at his home outside Dallas, Texas in August 2010.