Ms. Schwartz’s practice is primarily devoted to securities law, corporate governance and general corporate law representation of the Firm’s clients whose securities are publicly traded. She also has experience in mergers and acquisitions and bank regulatory matters for smaller community banks. Ms. Schwartz’s experience includes public company securities reporting and compliance matters, corporate governance, initial and follow-on public and private offerings of securities, going private transactions, and mergers and acquisitions. 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,… 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
Julie Sebastian has substantial experience in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. Julie regularly represents buyers and sellers in their extraordinary corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. With a practical approach to find business-oriented solutions, Julie consistently leads her clients to successful closings without sacrificing legal protections. Julie understands the unique position of founders and corporate leaders undertaking a significant transaction and enjoys guiding her clients through the complexities of the deal lifecycle. Julie has helped buy and sell companies in a wide range of industries, including technology, personnel services, manufacturing, and financial services. Julie has spent her entire… 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
Chris represents businesses in their cross-border disputes with companies and foreign governments. He has over a decade of experience representing clients in international disputes, as well as arbitration agreement and award enforcement litigation matters in United States courts. Chris also has significant experience representing investors in disputes with governments relating to cross-border investments. His practice spans a variety of industries, including the renewable energy, pharmaceutical, intellectual property, automotive, nuclear power, insurance, oil and gas, and mining sectors. Chris currently is President of the Atlanta International Arbitration Society (AtlAS). From 2024 through 2025, he was Secretary of the organization, and from… Read more
Mr. Smith practices in all areas of construction law, energy law, contract law, and government procurement. His practice consists of counseling in transactional issues, dispute resolution and litigation, counseling in government procurement, and the drafting, structuring, and reviewing of energy, construction, and other contracts. He advises businesses on a wide range of legal, compliance, and strategic issues. Being trained in transactions and disputes, he understands the complex interplay and consequences of decisions faced by businesses. Mr. Smith is ranked by Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America in construction law. Since 2015, he has been recognized by Georgia Trend as… Read more
