Smith Gambrell Russell Grows Patent Practice with Hire of Coulter ‘Coby’ Henry and Jerry Liu in Atlanta

ATLANTA (December 6, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the latest expansion of its Intellectual Property (IP) Practice in the Atlanta office with the addition of Coulter ‘Coby’ Henry as a patent attorney and Jerry Liu as a patent technical advisor.

Gregory J. Kirsch, partner and head of the SGR IP Department, expressed his enthusiasm for the new additions, saying, "We are pleased to welcome both Coby and Jerry to the Atlanta Intellectual Property Practice. Their wealth of patent experience and technical expertise will undoubtedly enhance our patent law capabilities and strengthen our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients."

Coby Henry brings more than 24 years of experience in intellectual property law to the SGR team. His extensive background includes successfully representing and advising a diverse range of clients, as both an in-house and law firm lawyer, from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Henry's core competencies encompass patent prosecution (procurement), portfolio management, licensing and sales, contract negotiation, litigation, and data privacy.

Prior to joining SGR, Mr. Henry served as a lecturer and certified instructor at the Patent Institute of Training. In addition, he has experience as a patent agent, a patent examiner, and an engineer, giving him insight into the technical and legal aspects of innovation. A graduate of Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School with a J.D., Mr. Henry also holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. He further contributes to the field as a member of the board of advisors for The National Council on Patent Practicum, Inc.

Mr. Henry remarked, “I am excited to join SGR, and I look forward to contributing to the growth and success of the Firm’s Patent Practice.”

With a wealth of experience in patent prosecution (procurement), litigation, and transactions, Jerry Liu joins SGR as a patent technical advisor. Previously, he served as in-house counsel for ARRIS (now CommScope), as Director of Innovation and Patent Development for AT&T, and as a partner at two other law firms. Mr. Liu’s expertise also includes a career as a lecturer with the Georgia Institute of Technology, a five-time high-tech startup entrepreneur, and a named inventor on more than two dozen U.S. patents.

Mr. Liu earned his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. In addition to his role at SGR, Mr. Liu serves as the board co-chair of the Georgia Intellectual Property Alliance and is a member of the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association.

Mr. Liu commented, “I am thrilled to be part of SGR’s patent team where I can utilize my extensive background in patent law and development and electrical engineering to further expand the Firm's IP capabilities.”

The addition of Coby Henry and Jerry Liu underscores SGR's commitment to expanding and fortifying its Intellectual Property capabilities, providing clients with unparalleled legal expertise in a rapidly evolving landscape. The IP Practice now includes nearly 40 IP attorneys and patent professionals across the Firm’s 14 global offices.

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.

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