{leaders-left} ATLANTA (September 17, 2002) — For the first time, Atlanta-based law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) has published its own four-color quarterly magazine, entitled LEADERS. Using the expertise of the firm’s attorneys as authors in their respective practice areas, the articles are written in laymen’s terms and provide the firm’s clients and business leaders with current legal information in an attractive, professional magazine format. SGR is the first law firm in the Southeast to develop its own custom publication.

The LEADERS concept was born following an extensive survey conducted by the firm in early 2002. SGR’s clients stated in the survey that they look to their legal counsel to provide them with information related to their business as well as changes in the law. Clients clearly indicated in the survey that a law firm should take a proactive role in informing clients of changes in their industry. Theirse clients wanted more information on issues that concerned them.

After the magazine concept was developed, an advisory board comprised of attorneys developed an editorial schedule for LEADERS that would appeal to the firm’s varied audience of corporate clients, and chose an editor-in-chief and the contributing writers for issue one from among the firm’s 182 attorneys. The authors span the full spectrum of the firm’s 50 practice groups — from franchise and air transportation to construction and tax law. Terry Schwartz, a partner and securities attorney with SGR, has taken on the role of editor-in-chief.