We provide sophisticated legal work that makes sense for your business. You get the experience of a firm that's been doing this for over a century, combined with the responsiveness and clarity you need to move forward with confidence.
Built for How Business Works Today
Smith Gambrell & Russell has evolved from its Atlanta roots into a global business law firm with offices spanning three continents. But our growth has been strategic, not opportunistic. Every market we've entered, every practice we've strengthened, every attorney we've added – it's all in service of becoming the most capable partners we can be for clients navigating complex, cross-border business.
Today, we serve clients from offices in major business centers including Atlanta, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan, Munich, New York and other key markets. We're part of the TerraLex Global Legal Network, connecting us with 23,000 lawyers across 120+ countries. This global infrastructure isn't about geography – it's about being positioned where you need us, with the local knowledge and international perspective to help you succeed.
We've built our reputation on deep industry knowledge, particularly in global transportation, aviation finance, and cross-border transactions. Recognized by Chambers & Partners in 20 practice areas and named to U.S. News & World Report's "Best Law Firms" list, we combine sophisticated legal work with a practical understanding of your business.
Strategic Presence = Fast Response
We've opened offices where our clients do business – not for prestige, but for proximity.
Our strategic locations across the U.S. and Europe give you access to attorneys who understand regional regulations, business customs, and market dynamics. Whether you're a foreign company investing in the U.S. or an American business expanding globally, you get the benefit of our international perspective. This isn't just convenience – it's better service.
Navigating Industry Complexity with Foresight
We have a deliberate focus on industries where we have deep experience, including: global transportation, aviation finance, cross-border transactions and international manufacturing. When you work with attorneys who've handled hundreds of similar matters, you benefit from our experience.
Our industry focus means we can tell you what to expect – timeline, process, potential challenges and outcomes. We've seen the patterns, know the pitfalls and understand what works. That helps you make better business decisions.
But knowledge alone isn't enough. Our attorneys stay current with industry trends, regulatory changes and market dynamics that affect your business. We don't just react to your needs – we anticipate them and help you plan ahead.
Collaborative Culture = Better Value
Our collaborative culture isn't just good for our people – it's how we deliver better value to our clients. When attorneys work together, you’re not paying for inefficiencies.
We've built our culture around transparency, accountability and a team approach to solving complex problems.
Our financial stability allows us to focus on building long-term relationships because we measure our success by your outcomes, not our time sheets.
130+ Years of Stability
We've been doing this since 1893. That gives us financial stability, institutional knowledge and perspective that comes from weathering economic cycles, regulatory shifts and market changes.
But we're not stuck in the past. We've evolved continuously to serve modern business needs – building a global platform, investing in technology and developing a culture that attracts top talent. You get the best of both worlds: the stability and experience of a firm with deep roots, combined with the agility and modern thinking you need today.
Our long-term view shapes how we work with clients. We're not looking for one-time transactions – we're building partnerships that last. That means we take the time to understand your business, your goals and your challenges so we can provide counsel that works not just today but also for the long term.
Historical Timeline
- 1893 – Alexander & Victor Smith form a partnership known as Alexander & Victor Smith
- 1896 – E. Smythe Gambrell is born
- 1909 – Alex Smith Jr. joins Smith, Hammond, & Smith
- 1913 – Victor L. Smith brings famous opera star Enrico Caruso and the Metropolitan Opera to Atlanta
- 1923 – Alexander Wyly Smith, III is born
- 1924 – E. Smythe Gambrell founded The Atlanta Legal Aid
- 1927 – E. Smythe Gambrell begins representing Eastern Airlines
- 1939 – E. Smythe Gambrell becomes a partner in Gambrell & White
- 1948 – Harold L. Russell is named partner in Gambrell, Harlan, Barwick & White
- 1949 – Alexander Wyly Smith, III joins the Firm of Smith, Partridge, Field & Doremus
- 1955 – E. Smythe Gambrell serves as president of the American Bar Association
- 1962 – The Smith, Field, Ringel, Martin & Carr Firm represents some Air France passengers in one of the world’s worst air disasters. The Gambrell, Harlen, Russell, Move & Richardson Firm represented Air France in the same tragic event.
- 1966 – The Smith, Ringel, Martin & Lowe Firm merges with Cohen, Kohler, Barnwell & Chambers
- 1973 – Gambrell Hall opens at Emory University in Atlanta
- 1984 – Smith, Cohen, Ringel, Kohler & Martin merges with Gambrell & Russell
- 1985 – The Firm institutes the Smith, Gambrell & Russell Law Student Scholarship at The University of Georgia
- 1989 – The Firm institutes the Smith, Gambrell & Russell Law Student Scholarship at Emory University
- 1986 – E. Smythe Gambrell dies
- 1991 – The Firm moves into the new Promenade office tower in Atlanta
- 1999 – Washington, D.C. office is opened
- 2000 – SGR acquires Jacksonville law firm and opens new office in Jacksonville, Florida
- 2002 – The Firm adds Zoning, Planning and Land Use Practice
- 2005 – Jacksonville office enters Top 10 Law Firms List
- 2006 – Frankfurt, Germany office is opened
- 2008 – New York, New York office is opened
- 2017 – London, U.K. Office is opened
- 2017 – Southhampton, U.K. office is opened
- 2017 – Munich, Germany office is opened
- 2017 – The Firm acquires Balber Pickard Maldonado & Van Der Tuin, PC and expands Real Estate and Litigation practices in New York office
- 2018 – The Firm opens Los Angeles, California office and merges with Rodi Pollock Pettker Christian & Pramov
- 2018 – Miami, Florida office is opened and expands Global Transport Practice
- 2019 – SGR merges with Mazursky Constantine LLC and expands Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice
- 2019 – The Firm re-establishes White Collar Defense Practice in Atlanta office
- 2020 – SGR expands Israeli, Corporate, Real Estate, and Litigation practices in New York office
- 2021 – The Atlanta office moves to new office building at 1105 W. Peachtree
- 2022 – Charlotte, North Carolina office is opened
- 2022 – SGR combines with Rogers & Hardin LLP in Atlanta and expands Litigation and Securities practices
- 2022 – The Firm opens Chicago, Illinois office, combines with Figliulo & Silverman, P.C., and expands Litigation Practice
- 2023 – SGR combines with Freeborn & Peters, grows Litigation Practice; expands Chicago, Illinois office; and adds office in Tampa, Florida
- 2025 – Milan, Italy office is opened
- 2026 – Houston, Texas office is opened
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Strategic Insight. Practical Counsel. Long-Term Value.
Where You Need UsWhen your business crosses borders, you need a firm that's already there. Our offices in Atlanta, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan, Munich, New York and other key markets mean you get local expertise and fast response times. As part of the TerraLex Global Legal Network connecting 23,000 lawyers across 120+ countries, we have the reach to support your business wherever it goes.
