Mr. Sanders has been with Smith Gambrell since law school. He is an experienced complex business litigator, who specializes in antitrust and class-action litigation as well as Hart-Scott-Rodino merger analysis. He has overseen civil and criminal matters, including government investigations and multi-district class actions. He has worked with the Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and state agencies on various matters. He also serves as outside general counsel for several trade associations and manufacturing clients. Over the course of his career, he has represented a range of clients, including airlines, trade associations, manufacturers, food processors, institutions of higher education, and… Read more
Mr. Saunders is the senior partner in the Investment Management and Investment Advisory Practice Group. He has represented investment advisor clients for over twenty years. He has significant experience with a broad range of issues dealing with the organization, operation, and regulation of registered investment advisers. Mr. Saunders has many years of experience in aircraft acquisition and financing matters with a particular expertise relating to engine acquisition, financing, leasing and maintenance issues. In addition, he has over 40 years experience representing U.S.- and foreign-based clients in a variety of matters including general corporate, acquisitions, securities, joint ventures and related business… Read more
Ms. Schwartz’s practice is primarily devoted to securities law, bank regulatory matters, corporate governance matters, Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance and general corporate law representation of the Firm’s clients whose securities are publicly traded. She also has experience in mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Schwartz has extensive experience in initial and follow-on public and private offerings of securities, going private transactions, mergers and acquisitions and routine securities reporting and compliance matters. She has represented public company clients in a number of different industries, including automotive sales and finance, banking, gaming, health information contract management services, medical technology devices, retail floor coverings, retail furniture/home… Read more
With decades of experience as an attorney, a jurist and an elected official, Ms. Sears brings a powerful combination of strategy, analytical thinking and tactical action that gives her clients a compelling edge in complex litigation, appeal, and arbitration and mediation. Her first-hand knowledge as a retired Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice gives her extraordinary insight into the thinking and mindset of both trial and appellate courts in state and federal jurisdictions across the United States. Known for her talent for breaking down complex matters to find the most elegant and straightforward solution that may not be apparent to others,… Read more
Ms. Sebastian has substantial experience in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. She has represented both publicly and privately held companies and has worked with companies in a wide range of industries, including construction, heavy metals manufacturing and technology. Some of Ms. Sebastian’s accomplishments include: The acquisition of assets from the The SmartPill Corporation. In addition to the assets, the acquisition includes payments based on sales of The SmartPill® between 2013 and 2016 The acquisition of TAMCO for $165 million in cash from Ameron International, Tokyo Steel and Mitsui & Co (U.S.A.) Closed on a deal for Gerdau Ameristeel involving… Read more
Ms. Sharifi’s practice concentrates in the area of business immigration matters for investors, managers, executives and technical personnel. Her practice includes temporary work visas, PERM labor certifications, immigrant visas, consular representation and citizenship for foreign executives, managers and professionals, as well as EB-5 investors and entrepreneurs. Ms. Sharifi also has significant experience in representing musicians, international artists, athletes, scientists and researchers entering the U.S. for professional employment, performances and events. Ms. Sharifi also advises multinational companies on general immigration policies, planning and I-9 compliance. Representative clients include international companies, technology firms and U.S subsidiaries of foreign corporations engaged in IT… Read more
Mr. Sheahan represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of commercial matters and business disputes including: breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties, tortious interference, fraud, trade-secret and non-compete disputes, real estate disputes, defamation, partnership wind-ups, insurance coverage, trust and estate and family business disputes, administrative review proceedings, and other multi-million dollar matters in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. He also has experience in class action litigation and constitutional law. Before joining the Firm, Mr. Sheahan served as a Prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Narcotics Special Prosecutions Bureau. Throughout his career as… Read more
Mr. Sherlinski practices in all major areas of employee benefits, executive compensation, and ERISA. His specific areas of concentration include advising clients on the implementation, administration, and correction of both qualified plans and nonqualified deferred compensation plans, the design and implementation of equity and equity-based plans for corporate and non-corporate entities, and health and welfare matters. Mr. Sherlinski also has significant experience advising clients on executive compensation and employee benefits matters in connection with mergers and acquisitions, including post-closing employee benefit plan integration. Mr. Sherlinski received his B.A., cum laude, in Psychology from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania…. Read more
Ms. Silberzweig counsels a wide range of business enterprises, from the Fortune 100 to small entrepreneurs and start-up companies. She is involved in all aspects of the purchase, sale and leasing of commercial real property, including offices, media production facilities, retail locations and shopping center parcels. She also collaborates with and supports client business units, procurement and facilities teams, in-house counsel and private clients in connection with building improvement projects and operations, such as structuring, negotiating and preparing work letters, vendor, service and maintenance agreements, and construction-related contracts including general contractor, construction management, consulting and design professional agreements. In addition,… Read more
Peter (Pete) A. Silverman is a Partner and the Head of the Chicago Litigation Section of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. He is a founding partner of Figliulo & Silverman, the firm that combined with SGR in 2022. Mr. Silverman has broad-based experience representing clients in sophisticated business disputes, litigation, and appeals for more than 30 years in state and federal courts and has consistently achieved his client’s objectives, employing sound judgment, careful analysis and aggressive determination. Since 2010, he has been recognized in the practice area of Commercial Litigation by “Best Lawyers”, “Leading Lawyers” and “Super Lawyers” for excellence… Read more
