Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP’s David Burge to Lead Georgia Department of Revenue

ATLANTA, Georgia (February 2, 2026) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (“SGR”) is pleased to share that longtime Partner David Burge has been appointed Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Revenue, effective February 16, 2026.

“We congratulate David on his appointment and wish him much success as he begins this new chapter of his career,” said Stephen M. Forte, Chairman and Managing Partner of Smith, Gambrell & Russell. “David has been an integral member of our Real Estate group for many years and has a long history of public service alongside his legal practice that will enable him to excel in his new role.”

Mr. Burge has been with the firm for 27 years and is a member of the Real Estate Practice Group in the firm’s Atlanta office.  He has substantial experience in commercial real estate lending transactions, corporate real estate transactions, capital markets real estate transactions, and general real estate sale, purchase, and leasing transactions. He currently represents several national and regional financial institutions in their real estate finance transactions in Georgia and throughout the Southeast.

In addition to his legal practice, he is a committed public servant. In 2020, Governor Kemp appointed Mr. Burge to the Board of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia’s housing finance and economic development agency. He also serves on the Georgia Ethics Commission. Mr. Burge served on the Georgia Real Estate Commission from 2008 until 2019, the Board of the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority from 2007 until 2012, and the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections from 2013 until 2019.

“I am looking forward to this new challenge in my legal career and this opportunity to serve the people of the State of Georgia, said David Burge. “I do leave behind valued colleagues at Smith Gambrell and will always follow their continued success.”

To learn more, please visit: https://dor.georgia.gov/press-releases/2025-12-23/gov-kemp-announces-incoming-revenue-commissioner

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.

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