Smith, Gambrell & Russell Elects 3 Associates to Partnership

ATLANTA (January 26, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the addition of Peter Crofton, Yash Dave and Matthew Warenzak to its partnership effective January 1, 2017.

“We are pleased to elect three fine attorneys to partnership within the firm,” said Stephen Forte, SGR’s chairman and managing partner. “They each exhibit the highest level of dedication and skill to their practices, and the utmost commitment to serving their clients.”

Mr. Crofton is a Partner in SGR’s Atlanta Construction Law Practice. He assists clients with all aspects of the design, construction and renovation of new and existing facilities. He has represented a variety of clients, including Fortune 100 and other trans-national clients, with construction projects ranging from energy, commercial and industrial, food and beverage, resort and hospitality, and mixed-use developments in the United States, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Mr. Crofton is a graduate of Auburn University and the Emory University School of Law. He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a member of the Board of Trustees for St. Martins Episcopal School in Atlanta, and the Chairman of the City of Norcross Construction Board of Appeals. A frequent lecturer and writer, Mr. Crofton is an adjunct professor at the Emory University School of Law where he teaches the Energy Law course to second and third year law students.

Mr. Dave is a Partner in SGR’s Jacksonville Litigation Practice. His practice is primarily devoted to labor and employment litigation, representing employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, and defending employers in claims of employment discrimination, wage and hour compliance, employment torts and contracts and unfair labor practices. Mr. Dave also provides counsel to employers on labor and employment compliance issues including drafting employee handbooks and policy manuals, employment contracts, severance agreements and non-competition agreements. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and earned his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Florida Coastal School of Law, where he was a Staff Editor of the Law Review and named 2009 Editor of the Year. Additionally, Mr. Dave was a Governor’s Scholar, a Dean’s Scholar and recipient of several book awards.

Mr. Warenzak is a Partner in SGR’s Atlanta Intellectual Property Practice where he specializes in patent prosecution, patent litigation, including Post-Grant proceedings, and trademarks. He also is an experienced general IP counsel, handling and litigating issues, including patent, copyright, trademark, and licensing matters. Mr. Warenzak has successfully represented and assisted clients from start-ups to Fortune 100 with patent matters, including telecommunications, finance, banking, internet applications, medical devices, lighting, textiles, merchandising displays, and watercraft. He received his B.S. degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology where he was a Presidential Scholar and a Georgia Tech Ambassador and earned his J.D. from the University of Georgia’s School of Law where he was the Managing Editor of the Journal of Intellectual Property Law. Mr. Warenzak is an Adjunct Professor of patent law at the University of Georgia School of Law, the President of the Board of Directors for Out-of-Hand Theater, an Atlanta-based international theater company, and a supporter of the local arts. Prior to enrolling at UGA, Mr. Warenzak worked for Caterpillar.

About Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP

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 more than 200 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 45 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, construction and employment law. Founded in 1893, SGR has offices in Atlanta, Austin, Jacksonville, London, Munich, New York, Southampton, and Washington, D.C.

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