ATLANTA (September 22, 2022) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that that it served as legal advisor to Atalaya Capital Management LP (Atalaya), a private credit and special opportunities investment manager based in New York, in its joint venture aimed at acquiring core and opportunistic aircraft transactions with German Operating Aircraft Leasing (GOAL), one of Germany’s leading independent investment and asset managers. As a first transaction for the joint venture, GOAL utilized its extensive aircraft leasing track record combined with Atalaya’s flexible capital solutions and its aviation industry expertise to structure a sale and lease… Read more

ATLANTA (September 22, 2022) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the Firm served as legal counsel to Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE: OXM), a leader in the apparel industry and owner of Tommy Bahama and Lilly Pulitzer, in its acquisition of Johnny Was, a California-based affordable luxury, modern bohemian lifestyle apparel brand, for $270 million. The transaction closed on September 19. In addition to Tommy Bahama and Lilly Pulitzer, Oxford also owns the distinctive Duck Head, Southern Tide, and The Beaufort Bonnet Company lifestyle brands. The acquisition of the 35-year-old Johnny Was brand with its… Read more

ATLANTA (September 21, 2022) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Jacksonville Partner Richard Rivera has been appointed to serve as the Managing Director for Administration of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD) for the 2022-23 bar year that commenced in August. The YLD is the ABA member group for attorneys who are early in their legal careers, either under 36 years old or admitted to practice for ten years or less, created to provide resources and opportunities for professional and personal growth. In his new role, Mr. Rivera is part of… Read more

ATLANTA (September 12, 2022) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that UK Partner Mark Turnbull has been recognized by Airline Economics in its list of leading Aviation Industry Mentors of 2022. Mr. Turnbull was nominated by Tom Maddison, former SGR UK office senior associate, who was recognized in the Airline Economics 40 Under 40 Class of 2022. Airline Economics is the flagship publication dedicated to commercial aviation finance and leasing industry. First published in 2016, the Airline Economics 40 Under 40 list celebrates the up and coming aviation industry professionals, such as airline and leasing… Read more

ATLANTA (September 7, 2022) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that partners Jay Schwartz, John Spillman, Tom Hong, and Julie Sebastian once again have been recognized in the IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers for 2022 within the Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Private Equity and Restructuring and Insolvency rankings. Recognized for their work in Corporate and M&A in Georgia, Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Spillman earned the “Highly Regarded” ranking, and Ms. Sebastian earned the “Notable Practitioner” ranking. Mr. Hong earned the “Rising Star” ranking for his work in both Corporate and M&A and Banking and Finance in Georgia…. Read more

ATLANTA (August 29, 2022) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the Firm served as legal counsel to American Metal Technology of Tennessee, LLC (Amtech), an industry leader in surface enhanced tubing and heat exchanger production, in its significant investment led by Fire Pit Capital (FPC), a private equity firm that invests in southeastern-based companies. The transaction closed on July 1, 2022. Amtech manufactures heat exchangers, surface enhanced tubing, and other components predominantly used in ever-increasing applications that require increased heat transfer. The 14-year-old company has grown into the country’s preeminent heat exchanger manufacturer for… Read more

ATLANTA (August 18, 2022) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that seven of the Firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers as 2023 “Lawyer of the Year.” The Best Lawyers in America® is the leading peer-review-based directory of legal practitioners. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year,” making this accolade particularly significant. These lawyers are selected based on particularly impressive voting averages received during the peer review assessments. Receiving this designation reflects the high level of respect a lawyer has earned… Read more

ATLANTA (August 18, 2022) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that 91 of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, the leading peer review-based directory of legal practitioners. SGR has continued to increase the number of firm attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers® each year. Best Lawyers has earned the respect of the profession, the media and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. Its first international list was published in 2006 and since then has grown to provide lists in over 75… Read more

ATLANTA (August 18, 2022) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that 18 of the Firm’s attorneys have been included in the 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ in the category’s third year. The following attorneys have been named to 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America in their respective practice areas and cities: Dion K. Bass, Sr. — Insurance Law, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants in Jacksonville William E. Burnett — Litigation – Construction in Atlanta Danielle M. Comanducci — Real Estate Law in… Read more

NEW YORK (August 9, 2022) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the Firm served as legal counsel to GAIA Real Estate, a privately held, full-service, vertically integrated real estate investment firm, in its $14 million acquisition of 106 Norfolk Street, an apartment building with ground floor retail in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. 106 Norfolk has been well maintained and renovated over the last decade. The apartment layouts are efficient with 28 residential units offered in one-bedroom or two-bedroom floorplans. The ground floor retail tenants include Nurse Bettie’s, a favorite among bar enthusiasts, and La… Read more