CHICAGO, Illinois (February 10, 2026) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (“SGR”) is pleased to share that Partner Joel B. Bruckman has been appointed to the Illinois Judicial Conference Task Force on Remote Access by the Supreme Court of Illinois. The Task Force on Remote Access has been created to develop a comprehensive work plan to provide valuable advice to the Illinois Judicial Conference on several key areas, including studying and reporting on the implementation of Supreme Court Rule 45 and related rules and policies, making recommendations to enhance access to legal services by promoting consistent remote appearance practices across… Read more

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (February 3, 2026) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (“SGR”) is pleased to announce the arrival of Senior Associate Sabrina Smith to the Firm’s Jacksonville office. Ms. Smith joins SGR’s Litigation Practice, where she represents businesses, fiduciaries, and individuals in complex civil and commercial disputes, guiding matters from inception through resolution. She also has extensive experience routinely serving as outside general counsel for a multitude of clients in the construction and real estate industries. Ms. Smith began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, where she tried thirteen cases from jury selection… Read more

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… Read more

NEW YORK, NY (February 2, 2026) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (“SGR”) is pleased to announce the arrival of Catherine R. Castaldo, Partner in Corporate and Privacy and Cybersecurity Practices, to the firm’s New York office. “We are very pleased to welcome Catherine to our office,” said John McCarthy, Office Managing Partner for the New York office. “Her extensive experience with cybersecurity, privacy, artificial intelligence and other data matters will be an asset to our clients across the firm.” Ms. Castaldo advises clients on cybersecurity and privacy risk management, including incident preparedness and response, data privacy and protection strategy, information… Read more

HOUSTON, Texas (January 29, 2026) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (“SGR”) is pleased to announce the arrival of Mitch Ackal as a Partner in the Litigation Practice. Based in Houston, Ackal’s arrival marks the firm’s strategic entry into one of the nation’s most dynamic legal markets and signals significant anticipated growth in the region. “Mitch’s arrival represents an important milestone for SGR,” said Stephen M. Forte, Chairman and Managing Partner of Smith, Gambrell & Russell. “Houston is a critical market for many of our clients, and Mitch brings the experience, leadership, and market credibility that allow us to establish… Read more

ATLANTA (January 28, 2026) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that Intellectual Property Partners James Bikoff, Bruce McDonald and Scott Woldow have been recognized on the World Trademark Review 1000 list (WTR 1000) of the world’s leading trademark professionals of 2026. Mr. Bikoff is recognized as a “Recommended Individual” nationally and in the Washington, D.C. metro area, and Mr. McDonald and Mr. Woldow are recognized as “Recommended Individuals” in the D.C. metro area. SGR once again received bronze recognition as a firm for prosecution and strategy and for enforcement and litigation in the Washington, D.C. metro area…. Read more

LONDON, U.K. (January 22, 2026) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (“SGR”) is pleased to announce the arrival of Associate Aisha Hirani to the Firm’s London office. Ms. Hirani joins SGR’s Litigation Practice and is a qualified Solicitor-Advocate (Civil) in England and Wales with experience handling complex insurance and financial risk matters. Prior to joining SGR, she practiced at DWF in the Global Specialty and Financial Risk team, where she advised on insurance disputes, professional indemnity matters, and sanctions. Ms. Hirani also completed a secondment with QBE Insurance, where she handled financial lines and directors’ and officers’ claims, as well… Read more

LONDON, U.K. (January 20, 2026) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (“SGR”) is pleased to announce the arrival of Patrick Swain, Partner in the Litigation Practice and leader of the UK Commercial Litigation team to the firm’s London office. “We are very pleased to welcome Patrick to SGR,” said Stephen M. Forte, SGR’s chairman and managing partner. “Patrick is a preeminent UK litigator whose extensive experience aligns with the firm’s goal of expanding our litigation capabilities to better service our clients.” Mr. Swain is a leading litigator in the London market, ranked Band 1 by Chambers Global (2024), Chambers Europe (2024), and… Read more

ATLANTA (January 13, 2026) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (“SGR”) is pleased to announce the arrival of Counsel Javier Gonzalez to the Firm’s Atlanta office. “We are pleased to welcome Javier to our Corporate and International Practices,” said Michael Kraus, leader of the International Practice. “His extensive cross-border experience and deep connections within the Latin American and Hispanic business communities will be instrumental as we continue to expand our international capabilities and support clients throughout Latin America.” Mr. Gonzalez advises domestic and international clients on mergers and acquisitions and business transactions, serving as counsel on a broad range of… Read more

TAMPA – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that Sarah Gottlieb, a Partner in the Litigation and Intellectual Property Practices in the Tampa office, has been sworn in as the President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, effective January 1, 2026. Ms. Gottlieb was sworn in at a ceremony on December 4, 2025 at the University Club in Tampa, Florida. Ms. Gottlieb will lead the organization’s more than 400 members for a one-year term. “We congratulate Sarah on this well-deserved honor and privilege,” said Jason P. Stearns, Tampa Office Managing Partner. “Sarah is a… Read more