ATLANTA (August 27, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the firm has joined Mansfield Certification for 2024–2025. Mansfield helps ensure that all talent has an equal, fair, and equitable opportunity to advance into leadership through an intentional decision-making process informed by behavioral science. Since joining the Mansfield Certification process in July, the firm has worked to increase the transparency and accessibility of our advancement processes, and to open the door wider to ensure that all talent at our firm has a transparent, fair, and equal opportunity to be considered for leadership roles and… Read more

ATLANTA (August 15, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that five of the Firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® as 2025 “Lawyer of the Year.” The Best Lawyers in America® is the leading peer review-based directory of legal practitioners. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.” These lawyers are selected for receiving the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. For the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, more than 23 million votes were… Read more

ATLANTA (August 15, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that 32 of the Firm’s attorneys have been included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in the category’s fifth 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 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, more than 23 million votes were analyzed, which resulted… Read more

ATLANTA (August 15, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that 105 of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, the leading peer review-based directory of legal practitioners. SGR has continued to increase the number of firm attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers® each year. 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… Read more

ATLANTA (July 9, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Chicago Partner Shelly A. DeRousse has been selected to the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers. This prestigious annual list recognizes the top legal professionals who excel in guiding companies through economic challenges and financial uncertainties. This marks Ms. DeRousse’s fourth inclusion in the list, having previously been honored in 2020, 2022, and 2023. DeRousse is based in the Chicago office of SGR and as the head of SGR’s Bankruptcy Practice, she brings extensive expertise in bankruptcy, reorganization, litigation, and asset sales. She… Read more

ATLANTA (June 26, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the Firm’s Global Transport (Aviation) Group has again been awarded a Nationwide ranking in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the Transportation: Aviation: Finance category. SGR is one of only 15 firms to receive this Nationwide ranking. The prestigious legal guide, published annually by London–based Chambers & Partners, identifies leading lawyers and law firm practices based on interviews conducted by Chambers researchers with thousands of attorneys and their clients. Chambers feedback from clients includes: “Smith, Gambrell & Russell… Read more

ATLANTA (June 20, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the Firm’s Insurance/Reinsurance Group has been awarded a nationwide ranking in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the Insurance: Dispute Resolution: Insurer category. SGR is one of only 21 firms to receive this Nationwide ranking. The prestigious legal guide, published annually by London–based Chambers & Partners, identifies leading lawyers and law firm practices based on interviews conducted by Chambers researchers with thousands of attorneys and their clients. Chambers feedback from clients includes: “They possess extremely deep knowledge on the… Read more

ATLANTA – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the Firm’s Construction Group has been awarded a nationwide ranking in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. SGR’s Construction Group is one of only 28 firms nationwide to receive this ranking. The prestigious legal guide, published annually by London–based Chambers & Partners, identifies leading lawyers and law firm practices based on interviews conducted by Chambers researchers with thousands of attorneys and their clients. Feedback from SGR’s clients includes: “They advise on complex matters in a way that is easily understood and effective for… Read more

ATLANTA (June 14, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Judy Jarecki-Black and Moritz Masberg to its partnership, effective June 10, 2024. “We congratulate Judy and Moritz and welcome them to the Firm’s partnership,” said Stephen M. Forte, SGR’s managing partner and chair of the executive committee. “Each has built an extensive practice and their dedication to their clients in their respective areas of practice sets them apart. We look forward to their continued success.” Dr. Jarecki-Black is a Partner in the Intellectual Property Practice and leads the firm’s biotech and… Read more

ATLANTA (June 11, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that six SGR attorneys have been recognized on the IAM Patent 1000 List of World’s Leading Patent Professionals of 2024. Gregory J. Kirsch, Dr. Judy Jarecki-Black, William F. Long, Michael J. Riesen and Matthew P. Warenzak were recognized for their patent work in the state of Georgia, and Indhira A. LaPuma was recognized for her patent work in the state of Illinois. In addition, the firm has once again been recognized in the “highly recommended” category. IAM notes that the firm “demonstrates a blend of… Read more