The Hospitality Services Group of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP includes attorneys from multiple practice areas who have experience with the full range of business and legal needs of the hospitality industry. The hospitality industry is a multifaceted and multinational industry covering a broad array of legal specialties. Providing legal counsel to the hospitality industry requires an experienced and knowledgeable law firm with an understanding of the many disciplines that result in a successful hospitality business. The attorneys who make up the Firm’s Hospitality Services Group are selected based on their experience at the Firm and their expertise in the… Read more
Practices
An SGR area of practice.
Insurance and Reinsurance
As disputes affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry have grown more varied and complex, so too have the legal skills and industry knowledge base required to serve clients effectively. We are immersed not just in the intricacies of reinsurance custom and practice—we also bring a deep understanding of the commercial relationships upon which industry participants depend. Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP has successfully represented a broad cross-section of participants in the insurance industry at almost every level. Whether the client is an insurer, reinsurer, agent or broker, and whether the matter is transactional, regulatory or litigation-oriented, our attorneys have the… Read more
Insurance Coverage Litigation
Our litigators pursue insurance recoveries for clients that need experienced insurance lawyers who are willing and able to be adverse to the biggest insurance carriers. Our clients (whether as the primary or the additional insureds) include corporations, claims administrators, insurance brokers, and individuals. We have secured millions of dollars in coverage for our clients, often under flexible fee structures (including full and partial contingency arrangements). Our experiences include evaluation of and pursuit of coverage under a wide range of policies, including commercial general liability, excess, property, directors and officers, professional liability, and representations and warranty policies. Representative engagements include: Securing a $14-million-dollar recovery… Read more
Intellectual Property
With more than 40 Intellectual Property professionals practicing in eight cities – Austin, Atlanta, Chicago, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New York, Tampa, and Washington, D.C., – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP offers a full range of intellectual property services, including patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret protection, and we are a formidable opponent in intellectual property litigation. Working with lawyers from SGR’s corporate practice, we also routinely handle commercial transactions involving the licensing, acquisition or sale of intellectual property. Intellectual Property Litigation SGR’s highly respected intellectual property litigation lawyers represent plaintiffs and defendants in patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, false advertising… Read more
Intellectual Property Litigation
A “win” in intellectual property litigation can take many forms. A judgment in your favor is a “win,” but a short end to litigation may be in your best business interest. We can help you strategize, decide how to proceed, execute that plan and win. SGR’s highly respected intellectual property litigation lawyers are experienced in representing plaintiffs and defendants patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and software and internet-related cases in federal, state and appellate courts and in proceedings before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Our intellectual property litigation lawyers are experienced in all aspects of intellectual property law… Read more
International Arbitration & Cross-Border Disputes
International transactions and investment are the cornerstone of today’s global marketplace. Effective enforcement, and defense, of the parties’ rights and obligations in these matters is critical. When disputes arise, international arbitration is the primary method to resolve them. SGR’s attorneys specialize in advising clients involved in cross-border business transactions and investment regarding the dispute resolution options available to them. When those disputes go to arbitration or mediation, we represent our clients in those proceedings, as well as any subsequent award enforcement or defense proceedings. SGR’s attorneys have broad experience advising and representing clients in arbitral proceedings around the world, and… Read more
International Franchise
The Franchise and Distribution Group has performed legal services for its international franchise clients including: Drafted standard form of international master franchise agreement Negotiated master franchise relationships covering the countries shown below Coordinated all franchise disclosure requirements and regulatory approvals Created international addendum to U.S. offering circular Hired and coordinated country-specific counsel’s review of standard form of agreement Monitored trademark agents in various countries shown Monitored master franchisee compliance with master franchise agreement Terminated master franchisees We have experience in a number of countries, including Argentina, India, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Denmark, El Salvador, Ecuador,… Read more
International Law
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP has a substantial International Law Practice and our attorneys use their wealth of talent and experience to assist their diverse clientele. The Firm assists many foreign-based companies in establishing and maintaining manufacturing and sales operations in the United States. We also provide counsel to domestic entities seeking to expand operations internationally. The representation of foreign-based clients raises a wide variety of complex legal issues. Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP has significant experience and expertise in the following areas: Site selection and government incentives Structuring United States operations Taxation and finance Acquiring United States companies Real… Read more
Internet Law
We represent clients in Internet law counseling, enforcement and the registration, acquisition, transfer, and maintenance of domain names, developing comprehensive strategies for global protection. We also engage in litigation under the Anti-Cybersquatting Protection Act (ACPA) and arbitration under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) and the Uniform Rapid Suspension System (URS). We are active participants in the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which is responsible for managing and coordinating the Internet domain name system. The firm serves on ICANN’s Intellectual Property Constituency (IPC) which protects the rights of intellectual property owners in the domain name… Read more
Investment Management and Investment Advisory
SGR attorneys counsel and represent investment advisors on a broad range of issues such as: Organizational and capital structures including operating and partnership agreements, holding company structures, tax planning, and business continuity planning Preparation and updating of federal and state registration filings including Form ADVs and the analysis and resolution of issues regarding the availability and scope of exemptions from registration under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 Operational and regulatory compliance with federal and state laws and regulations governing advisers including the Investment Company Act, the Investment Advisers Act, the Securities Act… Read more