ATLANTA (August 15, 2007) — Smith, Gambrell & Russell partner Anton Mertens was recently selected as Chair of the Immigration Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia for the 2007-2008 Bar Year.

The Immigration Law Section provides information to Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Labor about current immigration issues and laws. There are currently 305 members of the Immigration Law Section.

Mr. Mertens is a member of SGR’s International section where he leads the Immigration Law practice. A Belgian native, Mr. Mertens advises employers on the work eligibility of new employees in compliance with the I-9 federal law. He received both his B.A. and J.D. degrees from Mercer University.