Laura Jimenez Garcia

Laura Jimenez Garcia primarily serves clients facing civil and criminal government investigations and at various parts of the litigation process, from pre-indictment or pre-complaint investigations to motions practice and beyond. Additionally, Laura assists clients with traditional environmental issues and OSHA compliance as part of SGR’s Environmental, Energy, and Sustainability Practice Group.

Her government-facing experience gives her the ability to assist and prepare clients for understanding how government investigations unfold, how to communicate effectively with decisionmakers, and how best to act proactively in the interests of addressing risks before matters escalate. Her matters have primarily addressed the environmental, healthcare, government contracting fields, making her skilled at navigating complex regulatory and administrative legal frameworks.

Laura earned her Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law, where she served as Executive Managing Editor of the Georgia Law Review, teaching assistant, and in various leadership roles in UGA’s Hispanic & Latino Law Students Association.

Prior to joining Smith Gambrell & Russell, Laura completed a judicial internship with the Honorable Steven D. Grimberg at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. While there, she gained valuable experience drafting judicial opinions and orders. Additionally, as student attorney at the Community Health Law Partnership Clinic, Gwinnett Legal Aid, and the DeKalb County Public Defender, she served clients in a variety of criminal and immigration-related matters.

Originally from Colombia, Laura is fluent in Spanish and is passionate about bridging cultural and language gaps in the legal field. In her free time, Laura loves listening to podcasts, trying new foods around Gwinnett County and Atlanta, and spending time with her loved ones.

Laura's Practice

Representative Matters

• Assisted in defense of Japanese engineers in response to DOJ and EPA criminal and administrative investigations.
• Assisted in representation of elector in RICO indictment charging election fraud by the Fulton County District Attorney. The case was successfully dismissed.
• Advised clients preparing for potential ICE raids and seeking immigration and labor regulations compliance assistance.
• Defended medical practice against Medicare False Claims Act allegations in the Northern District of Georgia.
• Advised clients facing Civil Investigative Demands relating to PPP Loan fraud allegations,
• Represented companies through the OSHA compliance, citation, and appeal process, both through federal and state plans.
• Defended alleged labeling violations pursuant to California Proposition 65 claims. Most recent matter successfully dismissed on account of lack of personal jurisdiction.
• Participated in motions drafting on behalf of manager of oil recycling plant indicted for Clean Water Act violations. Criminal case closed following favorable trial outcome.
• Represented utility company to ensure compliance with EPA’s Revised Lead and Copper Rules.
• Successfully navigated the Unilateral Administrative Order process to bring utility to regulatory compliance. Company was not cited or fined.