ATLANTA (September 24, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP today announced that Thomas Hong has been appointed the firm’s first Managing Partner of its Atlanta office. This new role reflects Smith Gambrell’s continued commitment to strengthening its leadership and visibility in its hometown at a time when Atlanta has become one of the nation’s most dynamic and competitive legal markets.
Hong, a corporate partner whose practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and international transactions, helped accelerate the firm’s international practice when he joined the firm in 1999. He serves as the firm’s finance partner and is a member of Smith Gambrell’s Executive Committee. He will oversee strategic growth, client engagement, and talent development in Atlanta.
“I’ve spent my entire legal career at Smith Gambrell, and while we have grown tremendously since I started, more than a third of our Atlanta attorneys have been with the firm for over 20 years,” said Hong. “We are an important part of the fabric of this city, and I’m excited to continue to build on that legacy by ensuring that this office is known as a place where talent thrives and we continue to be the modern, forward-thinking firm that attracted me.”
Over its 132-year history, Smith Gambrell has evolved from an Atlanta-based firm into a diverse and global legal practice, both in terms of scope of practice areas, geographies served, and attorneys. It was among the first major law firms in the city to admit Jewish and Black partners. Today, the firm’s attorneys reflect a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that mirror its clients and communities. Hong, who immigrated from Japan to the United States and is a graduate of Emory University School of Law, has been a driving force behind Smith Gambrell’s international expansion, helping grow the firm’s cross-border practice into one of its most dynamic areas. Smith Gambrell has evolved into a global law firm with eleven offices in major U.S. markets and four international offices outside the U.S.
“Atlanta is where Smith Gambrell was founded, and it remains central to our identity and our success. Tom embodies both the firm’s foundational values and its forward-looking vision,” said Stephen Forte, Smith Gambrell’s firmwide Managing Partner and Chairman of the Executive Committee. “He has been an incredible leader at our firm, and he will be instrumental in ensuring that Smith Gambrell not only continues to be recognized as a legal powerhouse in Atlanta, but also as one that can go head-to-head with other leading firms across the country.”
Smith Gambrell’s Atlanta office is home to key members of several of the firm’s largest practice groups, including:
- M&A: Part of the firm’s Corporate Practice, this group occupies an entire floor in the Atlanta office and drives significant deal flow;
- ERISA: One of the largest dedicated practices in Atlanta with 15 lawyers;
- Global Transport: Competes head-to-head with the largest firms in the world on aviation, rail, shipping, and other transportation industry matters;
- Construction: A nationally ranked practice recognized for its technical expertise and ability to handle complex industry matters;
- International: One of the firm’s legacy practices and now a key driver of U.S. market entry for foreign clients.
- Litigation: Handles a variety of disputes including antitrust actions, real estate disputes, intellectual property cases, product liability claims, and white collar, government and internal investigations matters.
About Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is a full-service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of complex legal matters. The Firm’s nearly 350 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 50 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance/reinsurance, construction, employment law, international, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, Smith Gambrell has 14 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Milan; Munich; New York; Southampton; Tampa; and Washington, D.C.