Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP Significantly Expands Los Angeles Office with Arrival of Five Attorneys

Firm News

September 8, 2026

LOS ANGELES (September 8, 2026) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (“SGR”) is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its Los Angeles office with the arrival of five litigation attorneys. Partners William M. Turner and Asha Dhillon, and associates Matthew J. Singer, Samer N. Aref, and Garret Glazier, join from Turner Dhillon LLP. The additions build on a year of sustained growth for the firm, which has welcomed 44 attorneys in 2026 alone.

“This group marks an important milestone for our Los Angeles office, expanding our growing presence from nine attorneys to 14,” said Stephen M. Forte, Managing Partner and Chairman of the Firm’s Executive Committee. “Class action expertise is an area we’re intentionally looking to grow, and this group provides that in spades. Bill is one of the few litigators who has actually tried a class action to verdict and pairing that with Asha's employment litigation experience gives our Los Angeles office real depth.”

With decades of experience handling complex litigation matters, Turner represents clients including individuals, nonprofits, closely held companies, and large national businesses in class actions, representative actions, mass actions, business disputes, and securities brokerage litigation and arbitration before FINRA, AAA, JAMS, and other forums. Over the course of his career, he has served as lead counsel in more than 100 class and representative actions.

With more than 25 years of experience, Dhillon represents employers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to emerging businesses in the entertainment, financial services, hospitality, staffing, utilities, oil and gas, and real estate industries. Her practice focuses on employment litigation and counseling, handling discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, disability accommodation, wage and hour compliance, and employee classification matters. She also has experience defending employers in individual and class actions, including claims arising under federal and state employment laws and California’s Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 (PAGA).

“With strong relationships across the industries we serve, SGR gives us the platform to grow well beyond what we have achieved so far,” said Turner. “Our clients maintain the relationships they have always had, now backed by a national bench and additional resources.”

Singer represents clients in civil litigation and arbitration proceedings involving employment disputes, class actions, securities matters, and claims related to trademarks, copyright, and rights of publicity. He has previously represented plaintiffs in civil rights, sexual harassment, elder abuse and neglect, product liability, premises liability, and other catastrophic injury matters.

Aref’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, labor and employment matters, insurance disputes, and securities brokerage litigation and arbitration. He represents clients in a broad range of matters, including wage-and-hour disputes, discrimination and retaliation claims, wrongful termination actions, disability accommodations issues, and regulatory investigations.

Glazier focuses his practice on general business litigation, insurance coverage and litigation, construction disputes, public entity liability, and professional liability matters, including the representation of architects, engineers, and other professionals. He represents individuals, businesses, and insurers in all phases of litigation, from pre-suit investigation and motion practice through discovery and trial preparation.

About Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP 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 400 professionals 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, Smith Gambrell has 15 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Houston; Jacksonville; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Milan; Munich; New York; Southampton; Tampa; and Washington, D.C.