John G. Despriet

John G. Despriet is the Chairman and a partner of the Litigation Department of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.

He practices Commercial Litigation, principally complex cases.

Securities litigation, including class actions and ancillary proceedings, compromise the bulk of Mr. Despriet’s practice. In addition he has extensive experience in Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement proceedings, defense of derivative claims and NASD arbitration. Mr. Despriet is panel counsel to the largest insurer of public companies in the United States, and is one of only five counsel in Georgia approved to defend insured officers and directors in securities class actions. In addition to representing public companies, Mr. Despriet has represented many corporate financial officers individually. Mr. Despriet has also achieved excellent results in cases involving ERISA, the False Claims Act and on behalf of many international clients.

Mr. Despriet has recently published an article Evolution of the Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act, 33 Sec. Reg. L.J. 268 (2005), as well as an article entitled Options Backdating: Scrutinizing Options— Based Compensation Practices, Trust The Leaders Magazine, Spring 2007.

Mr. Despriet received his B.S. and J.D. degrees from the University of Florida. He holds a M.B.A. from the University of Utah. Mr. Despriet served five years in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Captain.

He is admitted in Georgia and Florida.