ATLANTA (October 1, 2000) — Smith, Gambrell & Russell, one of Atlanta’s oldest and leading law firms, today announced that it has acquired the law firm of Baumer, Bradford & Walters of Jacksonville, Fla. The move is another step in Smith, Gambrell & Russell’s plan to become a firm not only recognized for its quality of practice and longevity in the Southeast, but also for the number of professionals practicing in a wide range of areas on a regional and national basis.

Baumer, Bradford & Walters has concentrated its practice on the areas of civil litigation and commercial transactions. Effective October 1, 2000 the newest office of Smith, Gambrell and Russell will include 14 attorneys, four paralegals and an experienced support staff.

“We are becoming a regional law firm to be reckoned with,” said Steve Forte, Managing Partner for Smith, Gambrell & Russell. “This is only one of many aggressive initiatives the Firm has planned. With major offices already established in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., this move reflects our commitment to provide a vast portfolio of quality legal services throughout the Southeast. The attorneys at Baumer, Bradford & Walters are recognized as premier practitioners in the Jacksonville area and the entire SGR family is thrilled to have the new Jacksonville team on board.”

“The Jacksonville market is ripe for a firm with our breadth of service offerings. The firms will complement each other and our Jacksonville clients will benefit from Smith, Gambrell & Russell’s experience and expertise in technology, business immigration, corporate and real estate practice areas, among others,” Forte said.

“Becoming part of a well-known, respected firm such as Smith, Gambrell & Russell is very exciting for us,” said Michael Walters, Senior Partner with Baumer, Bradford & Walters.

“Chemistry–the feeling that your professional and practice goals are a natural fit–plays a big role in the acquisition of a law firm–more so than in typical corporate transactions. The chemistry between our two firms was right on target,” said Dana Bradford, Senior Partner, with Baumer, Bradford & Walters.

When asked to comment on acquisition of the Jacksonville firm, Bill Rogers, a member of Smith, Gambrell & Russell’s Executive Committee and a Partner in the Commercial Real Estate practice stated, “I’m very enthusiastic about the potential for SGR Law in Jacksonville,” he said. “The timing is perfect for a firm to take a lead role in the marketplace and we are well positioned to do it. We’re looking forward to servicing the clients the two firms already share and becoming a premier full-service firm in the area.”