Rudyard Ceres is a Partner in the Corporate Practice and International Practice of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. Mr. Ceres was a Partner at Freeborn & Peters, which combined with SGR in 2023.
Mr. Ceres focuses his practice on domestic and international small and medium-size enterprises and owner/operated businesses. He is a trusted business and legal advisor for his clients across all stages of a business’s life cycle from inception, development, capital raising, strategic partnering, and joint venturing all the way to an appropriate exit. Rudyard’s dual UK and US qualifications, coupled with his extensive experience over the past twenty-five (25) years, allows him to work closely with private equity, hedge funds, family offices, and high-net-worth clients, to identify, manage and mitigate their legal and business risks globally.
Further, Mr. Ceres has represented foreign governments in attracting foreign direct investments from a business-first lens, with a focus on the Sub-Saharan Africa and Caribbean regions. Accordingly, he is adept at analyzing and assessing macroeconomic and political issues as they might impact his client’s business interests in the international trade context. As such, he is adept at handling international trade issues, including import regulations, export controls, economic sanctions, international arbitration, anti-bribery, and regulatory compliance. He has also worked as a liaison for his clients in the United Nations.
Before joining Freeborn (now SGR), Mr. Ceres was a Partner at Dunnington Bartholow and Miller LLP, where he led the UK/Commonwealth desk and Africa desk practice areas; and, was responsible for maintaining and expanding the firm’s international relationships through the Cicero League of International Lawyers.
Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his family and friends; and playing and watching as many sports as his schedule will allow, especially his soccer team in England.
Mr. Ceres received his Solicitors Finals from the College of Law, York, UK, and his LLB Hons from the University of Leicester; and is an Adjunct Professor, teaching International Business Transactions at Fordham Law School in New York City.
Executive Board Member, Prince’s Trust USA
President of the Board of Trustees for Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School
General Counsel and Board Member, National Math Foundation, Syracuse, NY
Board of Directors, NYC & Co