Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP’s Adam Buss, Alan Wachs, Kenneth Crane, Scott Gallagher, and Thomas Hong Named Best Lawyers® 2027 “Lawyer of the Year”

Press Release

August 31, 2026

ATLANTA (August 31, 2026) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (“SGR”) is pleased to announce that five of the Firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers^®as 2027 “Lawyer of the Year.” The Best Lawyers in America^® is the leading peer review-based directory of legal practitioners.

Only one lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area receives the “Lawyer of the Year” honor. These lawyers are selected by earning the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. For the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America^®, more than 13 million votes were analyzed. The process is highly selective, with only 5% of U.S. lawyers and 3% globally earning this honor in the 33^rd edition.

The following SGR attorneys have been named Best Lawyers^® 2027 “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas and cities:

Adam Buss was named Best Lawyers^® 2027 Corporate Governance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Jacksonville. Adam is a partner in the Firm’s Corporate Practice, where he concentrates on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance issues, emerging businesses, information technology and corporate finance. He has also been recognized in Best Lawyers in America^® for Corporate Governance Law and Corporate Law (2010-2011, 2019-2027); Mergers & Acquisitions Law (2021-2027) and was named “Lawyer of the Year” in Corporate Law (2020); Corporate Governance Law (2023) and Mergers & Acquisitions (2026).

Alan Wachs was named the Best Lawyers^® 2027 Insurance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Jacksonville. Alan is a partner and head of the Firm’s Jacksonville Litigation Practice. He serves clients facing complex commercial litigation challenges, focusing on disputes involving contracts, trade secrets, real property, intellectual property, and insurance coverage. He has also been recognized in Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Litigation – Insurance; and Litigation – Intellectual Property (2017-2027) and was previously named “Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation – Insurance (2022, 2026).

Kenneth Crane was named Best Lawyers^® 2027 Venture Capital Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Chicago. Ken is a partner and head of the Firm’s Chicago Corporate Practice. He is a deal lawyer who represents private equity, venture capital and family office–backed companies, focusing on acquisition and sale transactions. He gets involved at all stages in the business growth and succession process, from acquisition, capital raising, financing and growth equity transactions, strategic partnering and joint ventures, to pre-sale and succession planning. He has also been recognized in Best Lawyers in America^® for Venture Capital Law (2007-2027) and was named “Lawyer of the Year” in Venture Capital Law (2017, 2025).

Scott Gallagher was named Best Lawyers^® 2027 Litigation - Real Estate “Lawyer of the Year” in Jacksonville. Scott is a partner in the Firm’s Real Estate Practice, where he concentrates his practice in commercial litigation, dealing with complex business and contract disputes. He has also been recognized in Best Lawyers in America^® for Commercial Litigation (2020-2027) and Litigation - Real Estate (2023-2027).

Thomas Hong was named Best Lawyers^® 2027 Antitrust Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Atlanta. Tom is a partner in the Firm’s Corporate Practice and serves as the Firm’s Finance Partner, is the Atlanta Office Managing Partner, and is a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. He brings a practical, client-focused approach to M&A and corporate transactions, combining sound legal judgment with a clear understanding of his clients’ business objectives. Clients rely on Tom as a trusted adviser who identifies workable solutions, manages risk, and helps drive deals to completion. Tom has also been recognized in Best Lawyers in America^® for Antitrust Law (2025-2027).

About Best Lawyers^®Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers^® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers recognitions are compiled based on an exhaustive Purely Peer Review^® evaluation. It is respected by lawyers and firms worldwide, with more than 13 million confidential evaluations submitted annually. The process is highly selective, with only 5% of U.S. lawyers and 3% globally earning this honor. Visit www.bestlawyers.com for more information.

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.