In the News
Environmental attorney Andy Thompson was featured in the Spring 2008 issue of RiverCHAT in an article entitled “Andy Thompson - Supporting UCR’s Legal Program for a Dozen Years.” The article profiles Andy’s continued involvement with the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR).
Environmental attorney Steve O’Day was interviewed by Business to Business magazine on May 16, 2008 to talk about his upcoming arguments before the Georgia Supreme Court, which took place this past Monday, relating to the high-profile case on the Cumberland Harbour development.
Intellectual Property attorneys Rodgers Lunsford and Kerri Hochgesang were featured in the Daily Report on May 16, 2008 in an article entitled “Tip Led to Suit.” Rodgers and Kerri are representing the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy in an IP suit.
Customs & International Trade attorney Damon Pike was featured in GlobalAtlanta on May 13, 2008 in an artile entitled “Atlanta Lawyer Named to NAFTA Panel.” Damon was selected to serve on the roster of available panelists for binational NAFTA disputes - of which there are only 50 attorneys in the entire United States.
SGR was featured in Intellectual Property Today’s “Top Trademark Firms” list. The firms are ranked on the list by the number of trademark registrations issued. SGR was within the top 50 out of 328 listed firms.
Corporate attorney David Harris was quoted in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in a news article entitled “A Better Bird’s-Eye View of High” on April 30, 2008. Mr. Harris was instrumental in aiding the High Museum to install green vegetation on top of their roof.
Real Estate attorney David Burge was featured in the Daily Report on April 30, 2008 in the In the Trenches column. David was chosen as a delegate to the Republican National Convention from the 5th Congressional District.
Environmental attorney Jessica Reece authored “The Green Guide to Pregnancy and Parenting” which appeared in Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine’s April 2008 edition. Jessica discussed the pros and cons of going green during pregnancy as well as how to maintain a greener lifestyle.
Estate Planning & Wealth Protection attorney Kristen Lewis was featured in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in a news article entitled “Is Your Pet in the Will?” on April 6, 2008. Kristen commented on the importance of setting up a trust for your pet.
Environmental attorney Steve O’Day authored “Does State Water Plan Hold Water?” which appeared in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on March 28 2008. Steve commented on the statewide water plan recently passed by the Georgia legislature.
Aviation Law attorney Don Mitchell was profiled in the Daily Report on March 26, 2008 in the article entitled “Career Path From In-House to Firms Becomes Round-Trip.” Don’s career path from his days in Delta Airlines’ legal department to his current position as partner at SGR was highlighted.
Attorneys Jay Schwartz, Michelle Edwards, Tom Rhodes, Phillip Hoover, Tom Hong, Julie Sebastian and Emily Avant were featured in the Daily Report on March 6, 2008 in the Deal Watch column. Their support of client Gerdau Ameristeel Corp. in its acquisition of Century Steel Inc. was featured.
Product Liability attorney Tim Bumann was featured in the Daily Report on March 4, 2008 in the In the Trenches column. Tim Bumann has recently become Judge Pro Tem for the Municipal Court of Monticello.
Aviation Law attorneys Howard Turner and Don Mitchell were featured in the Daily Report on February 27, 2008 in a news article entitled “Experts Say Airline Merger Means More In-House Work.” Both Howard and Don were quoted through out the article about what would happen if two large airlines were to merge.
Litigation attorney Billy Hearnburg was featured in the Daily Report on February 25, 2008 in a news article entitled “Marketing…Me.” Billy discussed his road to partnership at SGR that began as middle-school English and Latin teacher.
Environmental attorney Steve O’Day was quoted in the article “Georgia’s Disappearing Giants” in The Sunday Paper on February 3, 2008. The article discussed Steve’s involvement in the Cumberland Harbour case as well as the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale.
Attorneys David Burge, Hal Gill, Tom Spillman and Phillip Hoover were featured in the Daily Report on February 14, 2008 in the Deal Watch column. Their support of client Schwan Food Co. in a sale-and-leaseback transaction was featured.
Environmental attorney Steve O’Day was quoted in the article “Georgia’s Disappearing Giants” in The Sunday Paper on February 3, 2008. The article discussed Steve’s involvement in the Cumberland Harbour case as well as the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale.
Product Liability attorney Tim Bumann was featured in The Monticello News on January 31, 2008 in the article “City Court Judges Are Sworn.” Tim Bumann has recently become Judge Pro Tem for the Municipal Court of Monticello.
A special section of the Daily Report entitled “Employers Legal Guide to Issues of the Modern Workplace” featured Employer Services attorneys Lisa Ballentine and Matt Clarke on January 24, 2008. The article had a transcript from an Employment Law Roundtable which included executives and in-house counsel from AirTran Airways, Waffle House and Havertys Furniture Companies.
Immigration attorney Anton Mertens was featured in Business to Business magazine’s January 2008 issue. Anton’s article “Documenting New Hires” discussed the legal requirements for documenting the work eligibility of new hires.
Environmental attorneys Steve O’Day, Andy Thompson and Jessica Reece were featured in the Daily Report on January 22, 2008, in the Verdicts & Settlements column. The team received a favorable jury verdict in a mold contamination case in Florida.
Lisa Ballentine provided commentary to Business & Legal Reports for the January 2008 issue of their human resources newsletter, “What to Do About Personnel Problems.” Lisa provided insight about giving healthy employees rewards in the article entitled “Unhealthy Off the Job = Less Productive On the Job.”
The Daily Report featured SGR’s new partners on January 16, 2008, in the In the Trenches column. Billy Hearnburg, Chris Holland, Nick Ivezaj and Laura Wartner became a partner on January 1, 2008.
Environmental attorney Steve O’Day was quoted in the Daily Report on January 15, 2008, in an article entitled “Opponents Pan Water Management Plan.” Steve commented on the state water management plan being discussed in the Georgia Legislature.
On January 10, 2008, the Daily Report reported on attorneys John Spillman, Emily Avant, Tom Spillman and Phillip Hoover who led a transaction for Principal Senior Living Group. The team was lead counsel in the sale of eight assisted-living properties valued at $113 million.
On November 29, 2007, the Daily Report reported on Real Estate attorneys Mac Young and Jon Gallant who closed on a $113 million, seven-property acquisition and development financing for Place Properties.
Securities Litigation attorney John Despriet was quoted in CFO Magazine on November 7, 2007, in an article entitled “Enforcement on Backdating Cools Off.” John commented on recent developments in the national options backdating scandal.
Employer Services attorney Matt Clarke was quoted in the Daily Report on October 31, 2007, in an article entitled “GCs to Employees: Think Before You Send.” Matt commented on the importance of in-house counsel to do e-mail etiquette training.
On October 16, 2007, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reported on Michael Vick’s loan default with Wachovia. Litigation attorney Tom Barton is representing Wachovia in this case and was featured in the article entitled “Vick Part of Wachovia Loan Default Suit.”
Banking attorney Bobby Schwartz was featured in the Daily Report on October 11, 2007, in the Deal Watch column. He represented Touchstone Bancshares Inc. on a planned IPO.
Litigation attorney Ed Konieczny was featured in a Georgia Bulletin synopsis of the Red Mass on October 4, 2007. Ed was recognized for his leadership role in the St. Thomas More Society and in organizing the Red Mass.
International Law attorney Florian Stamm provided extensive comments to GlobalAtlanta on September 24, 2007 on proposed changes in registration requirements for travelers to the U.S. in an article entitled “Swiss Ambassador Says New U.S. Process for Travelers Could Hurt Business, Tourism.”
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP was featured in GlobalAtlanta on September 24, 2007 in an article entitled “All Swiss-American Chamber Chapters.” SGR hosted an event for Ulrich Hann, consul general of Switzerland in Atlanta. International Law attorney Florian Stamm helped organize the event.
Intellectual Property attorney Larry Colton’s advice was quoted in the column “Featuring Your URLs” on the SmartSamantha website on September 6, 2007. Mr. Colton provided guidance on how to register a domain name. He stressed the importance registering multiple domain names that are similar to the registrar’s business website address. To view the full article, click here.
On August 23, 2007, the Georgia Bulletin reported on the annual Red Mass. SGR attorney Ed Konieczny oversaw all planning aspects of the event and was quoted within the article.
Securities attorney Terry Schwartz was featured in the Daily Report on August 2, 2007, in the Deal Watch column. She gave advice to Ebix Inc. on the sale of 400,000 shares of common stock.
On June 19, 2007, IP Law360 reported on the recent hiring of IP attorneys Larry Colton and Nigam Acharya in the article entitled “Hunton & Williams, Smith Gambrell Grow IP Practices.”