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

CHICAGO – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP has officially moved into its new Chicago office at 155 North Wacker Drive, marking an important milestone for the firm’s continued growth and long-standing presence in the Chicago market. The firm now occupies 57,000 square feet across the 30th and 31st floors in the Class A office building, and houses 65 attorneys and 48 business professionals. SGR relocated from its prior office at 311 South Wacker Drive, where the firm had operated since 1992, reflecting both the depth of its Chicago roots and its focus on the future. “Chicago remains a key market for… Read more

NEW YORK – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (“SGR”) is pleased to announce that the Firm has served as legal counsel to Big V Property Group in its successful acquisition of Fairfield Town Center in Cypress, Texas. Located at U.S. 290 and SH 99/the Grand Parkway in Cypress, Texas, the 355,000-square-foot development is 99.5% occupied. The large, open-air power center is home to a best-in-class tenant mix of retail, entertainment and services, including a luxury cinema and popular retailers, beauty and apparel brands. Fairfield Town Center is positioned within one of the country’s fastest-growing trade areas, where the population within… Read more

ATLANTA, Ga. (December 10, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that Partners Scott Woldow and Elizabeth Borland recently secured a favorable decision for their client, Redbeet Interactive AB, a game studio based in Sweden. This case involved two parties who each claimed to have been the first to develop rights in the U.S. regarding the trademark “RAFT” for computer games.  Three university students (who ultimately formed Redbeet) developed a computer game called “RAFT” as part of their degree in game design.  RAFT was named as one of the most successful games on the Steam game… Read more

ATLANTA, Ga. (December 9, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce the election of Danielle Comanducci, Audria Crain, Tyler Cunningham, Daniel Goldstein, Todd Heffner, Johnathon Koechley, Lisa Mazzone, Christopher Smith, Jacqueline Van Laningham and Mina Zhan to its partnership, effective January 1, 2026. “We are pleased to welcome Danielle, Audria, Tyler, Dan, Todd, Johnathon, Lisa, Chris, Jackie and Mina to our partnership,” said Stephen M. Forte, SGR’s chairman and managing partner. “This class represents four offices and eight of our key practice areas. Each new partner has made an indelible impact on their clients and the… Read more

NEW YORK – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that Morgan V. Manley, a Partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice, has been named a 2025 recipient of the Honorable Judith S. Kaye Commercial & Federal Litigation Scholarship, presented by the New York State Bar Association’s Commercial & Federal Litigation Section. The prestigious scholarship recognizes five women lawyers across the state who exemplify exceptional skill, leadership, and commitment to advancing women in commercial litigation. The award honors the legacy of former New York Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye, a pioneering jurist and advocate for gender equality in the legal… Read more

ATLANTA – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that the Firm has been named to the 2026 Best Lawyers® list of Best Law Firms® ranked nationally and in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Tampa, and Washington, D.C., including 56 “Tier 1” rankings. In the 16th Edition, Smith Gambrell was honored with elevated tier status and recognition in several practice areas. Best Law Firms provides a comprehensive guide to the top-performing firms across 127 practice areas and 188 local jurisdictions. This year, Best Lawyers received over 110,000 client references, who provided more than 200,000… Read more