NEW YORK — June 18, 2009 — Law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell, (SGR) announced that William M. Barron has joined the firm as partner and head of International Litigation in the New York office. Mr. Barron’s focus will be on American legal issues involving some of Germany’s most prominent companies. He comes to SGR from Alston & Bird, which he joined as a result of its 2001 merger with Walter, Conston, Alexander & Green where Mr. Barron was a partner. He also served as vice president, general counsel, and secretary of Bayer USA, Inc.

Mr. Barron has over 37 years of experience in international corporate litigation and commercial disputes, including cases concerning employment disputes, trademark and trade secret issues, distributorships, franchise law, sales of goods, bankruptcy disputes, and mergers and acquisitions. He is fluent in German, and has decades of experience representing German, Austrian and Swiss businesses with U.S. legal matters. He also has a significant practice relating to domestic and international disputes concerning works of art.

Stephen M. Forte, SGR’s managing partner said, “Bill’s extensive background in international litigation will build on our strong international practice and is a particularly good complement to our existing base of German and German-American clients. The depth of his knowledge and experience navigating complex legal issues will be a huge asset.”

Mr. Barron said: “Smith, Gambrell & Russell has a well-established international practice that has tremendous talent and presents exciting growth opportunities. It provides an excellent platform for someone with my background to continue serving clients as I have for my entire career, while helping to build the New York office of a firm committed to growing in this market.”

Mr. Barron is a member of the American Bar Association and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, as well as a member of the board of trustees of the Institute of International Commercial Law. He is also a member of the German American Chamber of Commerce in New York, and of the Board of Directors of the U.S.-Austrian Chamber of Commerce. He continues to act as general counsel for foreign companies with subsidiaries in the United States.

Mr. Barron received his B.A. from Yale University, where he was a Blair Scholar, and his J.D. from Cornell Law School.