ATLANTA (September 24, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP today announced that Thomas Hong has been appointed the firm’s first Managing Partner of its Atlanta office. This new role reflects Smith Gambrell’s continued commitment to strengthening its leadership and visibility in its hometown at a time when Atlanta has become one of the nation’s most dynamic and competitive legal markets. Hong, a corporate partner whose practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and international transactions, helped accelerate the firm’s international practice when he joined the firm in 1999. He serves as the firm’s finance partner and is a member of… Read more

ATLANTA (September 23, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of Matthew Hashemi as an associate in the Firm’s Atlanta office. Mr. Hashemi joins the Firm’s Construction and Energy Practices, where he focuses on representing utilities, contractors, and energy developers in construction project development and energy transactions. He has experience representing clients in energy project finance and development transactions, corporate structuring, and power project mergers and acquisitions. He has also assisted in drafting and negotiating complex agreements, conducting real estate due diligence, and advising clients on request for proposal matters. He earned his J.D…. Read more

CHICAGO (September 22, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of Litigation Associate Thomas C. Buchanan to the firm’s Chicago Office. Mr. Buchanan joins the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group where he focuses his practice on complex civil and commercial litigation in trial and appellate courts. He has experience in all phases of litigation, from drafting substantive pleadings and motions, managing discovery, negotiating favorable settlements, taking cases to trial, and briefing cases on appeal. He has an extensive background in appellate litigation, having briefed over two dozen appeals before the Indiana Court of Appeals, Indiana… Read more

ATLANTA (September 15, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP was pleased to advise Avelo Airlines in its landmark firm order of 50 E195‑E2 aircraft from Embraer. Avelo will be the first U.S. carrier to operate this new generation model Embraer aircraft. The agreement also includes purchase rights for an additional 50 aircraft. The list-price value of the order is US$4.4 billion, excluding purchase rights, according to Avelo. “We are so pleased to have represented Avelo Airlines in this significant transaction,” said Don Mitchell, Partner in the Global Transport and Corporate Practices. “This acquisition enables Avelo to expand their operations… Read more

ATLANTA (September 2, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased announce the arrival of partner Erin N. Spritzer to the firm’s Atlanta office. “We are pleased to welcome Erin to our Litigation and White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations practices,” said Thomas D. Bever, co-leader of the White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations Practice. “Erin’s experience as an Assistant United States Attorney will be invaluable to our clients, and we look forward to her significant contributions to the firm.” Ms. Spritzer is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice and White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations Practice. She is… Read more

ATLANTA (August 29, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that four of the Firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® as 2026 “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 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, 26 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in more… Read more

ATLANTA (August 22, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that 34 of the Firm’s attorneys have been included in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in the category’s sixth year. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America recognizes lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Lawyers recognized in “Ones to Watch” are divided by geographic region and practice areas. For the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, 26 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in more than… Read more

ATLANTA (August 21, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that 104 of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, the leading peer review-based directory of legal practitioners. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing. For the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, more than 26 million votes were analyzed,… Read more

CHICAGO, I.L. (August 18, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of Sanjiv Sarma as an associate in the Firm’s Chicago office. Mr. Sarma joins the Firm’s Bankruptcy, Financial Restructuring, and Creditors Rights Practice, where he brings substantial experience from the federal judiciary, having clerked for the Hon. Benjamin A. Kahn in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. In that role, he drafted hundreds of opinions and orders—several of which were published—and managed the court’s bankruptcy docket. With a background that includes work on Chapter 11 cases, fraudulent transfer claims,… Read more

ATLANTA (August 11, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of Adam Snyder as an associate in the Firm’s Atlanta office. Mr. Snyder joins the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practice, where he focuses on advising employers and executives on a wide range of employee benefits and compensation matters. His practice includes supporting complex corporate transactions and assisting with benefits plan compliance. He is experienced with preparing equity incentive plans and awards, separation and retention agreements, and change of control arrangements. He also provides ongoing support for equity compensation matters, such as determining fair… Read more