Smith, Gambrell & Russell Elects 6 Attorneys to Partnership

Press Release

December 31, 2020

2021 Scroller Heading Partners

ATLANTA (January 1, 2021) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the addition of Susan C. Atkinson, James P. Lambe, Matthew D. Moore, John P. Pennington, Richard D. Rivera, and Ariane J. Smith to its partnership effective January 1, 2021.

“SGR is pleased to elevate six deserving attorneys to partner,” said Stephen Forte, SGR’s chairman and managing partner. “They exhibit the highest level of commitment to serving our clients, and we are proud of their contributions to the success of the firm.”

Susan Atkinson is a partner in the Atlanta Health Care Practice. Her practice is dedicated to advising health care industry clients on a wide range of corporate, regulatory, and compliance matters. Throughout her career, Ms. Atkinson has advised hospitals, health systems, long term care facilities, sleep centers, ambulatory surgery centers, pharmacies, DME suppliers, FQHCs, health care management companies, and physician practices.

James Lambe is a partner in SGR’s Global Transport Practice. Mr. Lambe represents and counsels clients in connection with a variety of structured finance transactions, including mortgage financings, operating leases, export credit agency supported financings and U.S. leveraged leases. He handles matters related to aircraft, aircraft equipment, locomotives and rolling stock. Mr. Lambe has advised clients in connection with several bankruptcy proceedings and restructuring transactions.

Matthew Moore a partner in the Atlanta Real Estate Practice. He has experience representing lenders and developers in commercial real estate lending transactions and general real estate sale, purchase, and leasing transactions. Mr. Moore has also assisted with the negotiation of landlords and tenants involving industrial, commercial and office projects.

John Pennington is a partner in SGR’s Washington, D.C. Intellectual Property Practice. As a trial attorney, Mr. Pennington’s primary focus in intellectual property law is in patent litigation. During his law career, he has obtained numerous favorable verdicts and has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Association on its “Top 40 Under 40” list.

Richard Rivera is a partner in the Jacksonville Litigation and Intellectual Property practices. His litigation practice is focused on commercial litigation, with a special emphasis in defending actions brought under consumer protection statutes. Mr. Rivera’s intellectual property practice is concentrated in advising clients in matters involving intellectual property, compliance with state and federal laws governing sweepstakes and other promotional activities, software and internet technology, marketing, and licensing issues.

Ariane Smith is a partner in SGR’s Jacksonville Litigation Practice. Ms. Smith’s practice focuses primarily on complex commercial litigation and insurance defense. She assists in the prosecution of a wide array of matters, including business contractual disputes, breach of corporate fiduciary and other statutory duties, mismanagement of companies, and arbitration proceedings. Ms. Smith also represents insurance companies and insureds in coverage and property damage matters.

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 250 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 45 specialized practice areas, including aviation, corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, banking, real estate, construction, employment law, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, SGR has offices in Atlanta, Austin, Jacksonville, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Munich, New York, Southampton, and Washington, D.C.