JACKSONVILLE (October 22, 2002) — Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, one of the Southeast’s leading law firms, with offices in Atlanta, Jacksonville and Washington D.C., today announced that Douglas G. Stanford has joined the firm’s real estate practice in the Jacksonville, Florida office.

Stanford brings with him extensive experience in commercial real estate transactions, including purchase and sale, leasing, and financing involving retail, office, warehouse, industrial and multi-family properties throughout the Southeast. His practice also includes real estate finance restructurings and workouts, title insurance, construction and lien law, and golf and country club development and operations.

“SGR has paralleled the growth of its real estate practice with the continued growth of the Jacksonville market,” said Bill Rogers, Managing Partner of SGR’s Jacksonville office. “Having Doug join our real estate practice is part of our firm’s overall strategic growth plan for the Southeast market.”

Stanford, who joins SGR as a partner, enhances the firm’s commercial real estate capabilities in the Jacksonville office. He has focused his legal career on high-profile Florida and regional projects, many involving complex development, financing or leasing issues and arrangements. He comes to SGR from the law firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P., where he headed its Jacksonville office real estate department.