ATLANTA (March 20, 2020) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm has launched the SGR COVID-19 Resource Center to provide guidance to clients in navigating the growing legal considerations and risks they may encounter during the national emergency resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. This SGR webpage will be updated regularly with the latest news and developments as they become available. Additionally, the SGR COVID-19 Resource Center includes each virus-related thought leadership piece, such as webinars, alerts, blogs, articles, and communications, the firm has developed as the COVID-19 situation has unfolded. To… Read more

ATLANTA (March 12, 2020) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the addition of Partner Tori M. Silas to the firm’s Atlanta office. Ms. Silas joins SGR after a brief stint with another private-practice firm and prior to that from an Atlanta-based, privately-held media company where she served as senior counsel. As a member of SGR’s Corporate and Cybersecurity practices, she concentrates in the areas of technology transactions, cybersecurity and data privacy. SGR Chairman and Managing Partner Stephen Forte commented, “We are pleased to welcome Tori to SGR. She will add depth, experience and additional expertise… Read more

ATLANTA (March 3, 2020) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the addition of Partner Gavin White to the firm’s Miami office. Mr. White joins SGR’s Litigation Practice from the Miami office of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP. SGR Chairman and Managing Partner Stephen Forte commented, “We are very pleased to welcome Gavin into the SGR fold. His addition provides a high level litigation capability to the Miami office that syncs well with the needs of our clients in the South Florida market.” As a partner in SGR’s Miami Litigation Practice, Gavin White focuses… Read more

ATLANTA (February 20, 2020) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce Partners James Bikoff and Bruce McDonald have been recognized on World Trademark Review 1000 list (WTR 1000) of the world’s leading trademark professionals of 2020. Additionally, SGR has been recognized as a firm for enforcement and litigation in the Washington, D.C. Metro area. The WTR 1000 research directory, which focuses exclusively on trademark practices and practitioners, has firmly established itself as the definitive ‘go-to’ resource for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise. As with previous editions, to arrive at the 2020 rankings, World Trademark Review… Read more

ATLANTA (February 5, 2020) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that firm client, Spirit Airlines (Spirit), has signed an agreement with Airbus to purchase 100 Airbus A320NEO Family aircraft. SGR served as legal counsel to Spirit in the negotiations. The aircraft purchase includes a mix of new Airbus A319, A320, and A321 models planned for delivery through 2027. The additional aircraft will be used to support Spirit’s growth as America’s fastest growing airline adds new destinations and expands its network across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. “We’re honored to have been given the… Read more

ATLANTA (February 5, 2020) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that firm client, Spirit Airlines (Spirit), has closed on the sale and leaseback of the final of six new Airbus A320NEO aircraft with Jackson Square Aviation, a full service commercial aircraft lessor. SGR served as legal counsel to Spirit in the transactions, the first which closed in September 2019 and the sixth in December 2019. Delivery of these six new Airbus A320NEO aircraft confirm Spirit’s commitment to operate one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the U.S. SGR’s legal team was led by… Read more

ATLANTA (February 3, 2020) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the firm served as legal counsel to the management team of Safe-Guard Products International, LLC (Safe-Guard), the leading provider of third-party private label protection products for the automotive, RV, marine and powersports industries, in an investment in the company by funds managed by Stone Point Capital LLC (Stone Point), an owner and investor in leading companies within the financial services and related industries. Affiliates of the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Goldman Sachs), which first acquired Safe-Guard in 2012, will continue to own a significant… Read more

ATLANTA (January 29, 2020) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the addition of Jill F. Bechtold to the firm’s Jacksonville office. Ms. Bechtold joins SGR’s Litigation Practice, along with Dion K. Bass, from the Jacksonville office of Hall Booth Smith, P.C. “We are pleased to welcome Jill and Dion to the firm,” commented SGR’s Jacksonville office Managing Partner Steven Brust. “Combined they have an extensive legal background in medical malpractice defense and bring a wealth of experience to SGR and the Litigation Practice.” As a partner in the Litigation Practice, Jill Bechtold practices in the… Read more

ATLANTA (January 22, 2020) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the attorney that has been selected to the 2020 Southern California Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. The SGR attorney in the Los Angeles office selected to the 2020 Super Lawyers list and his specified area of practice: John D. Pettker (Estate Planning & Probate) Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70… Read more