ATLANTA (November 12, 2012) — Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) was named Industry Partner of the Year at the 6th Annual Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards held in Atlanta, Ga. on November 11.

Perry McGuire, Counsel in the Firm’s Franchise and Distribution Law, Governmental Affairs, and Hospitality Services Groups, and a founding board member of the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA), was also recognized for his contribution to GRA and the hospitality industry generally. Mr. McGuire serves on the GRA Board of Directors and as Co-Chair of the Legislative/Governmental Affairs Committee. He played a key role in shaping the Inaugural Golf Invitational fundraiser for the GRA Political Action Committee (GRA-PAC).

The peer-nominated GRACE Awards honor outstanding GRA members in the following categories: Lifetime Achievement, Restaurateur of the Year, Distinguished Service, Innovator and Industry.

The GRA’s mission is to serve as the voice for Georgia’s Restaurants in Advocacy, Education and Awareness. GRA is sanctioned by the National Restaurant Association (NRA) to operate Georgia’s only not-for-profit representing the state’s foodservice industry. www.garestaurants.org/.