Smith Gambrell Russell Partners Laura Wartner and Michael Whitty Elected President and Secretary, Respectively, of Board of Directors of Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises

Press Release

August 11, 2023

2023 PR Wartner Whitty 8.11.23

ATLANTA (August 11, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that two firm partners have been elected to the 2023-2024 Board of Directors of the Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises (AFHE), the leading resource for legal professionals who provide multi-disciplinary counsel to family-held enterprises. Laura Wartner, partner in SGR’s Atlanta office, will serve as board president, and Michael Whitty, partner in SGR’s Chicago office, will serve as board secretary.

Laura Wartner is the head of SGR’s Tax Practice with a focus in Private Wealth Services. Ms. Wartner’s experience includes all aspects of family business and wealth transition planning, estate planning and probate administration, including preparation of wills and trusts and the preparation and filing of federal estate and gift tax returns. She previously served as the vice president of AFHE.

Michael Whitty is a member of SGR’s Corporate Practice where he concentrates his practice in estate planning, taxation, and estate and trust administration. Mr. Whitty represents business owners, principals of venture capital and private equity funds, key executives, investors, and other high net worth individuals in planning for the preservation and transfer of their wealth. He is immediate past president of AFHE.

About Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises
The Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises (AFHE) is an independent, non-profit association of attorneys, practicing in the areas of corporate, litigation, taxation, and trusts and estates who provide multi-disciplinary legal counsel and advice to publicly and privately-held enterprises, their owner-managers, and family members. The organization serves as a resource for individuals, business entities, trade associations, the business press, and other groups seeking information concerning attorneys with the experience, expertise, and qualifications to address privately-held business issues. AFHE members focus on the establishment, growth, and success of family-held enterprise, the engine behind entrepreneurship. For more information, please visit www.afhe.com.

About Smith Gambrell Russell
SGR is a full-service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The Firm’s nearly 400 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 50 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance/reinsurance, construction, employment law, international, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, SGR has 14 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville, FL; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Munich; New York; Southampton; Springfield, IL; Tampa, FL; and Washington, D.C.