ATLANTA (January 5, 2022) – Smith Gambrell Russell (SGR) is pleased to announce the addition of Ellen H. Fontanella and Emily C. Ward to its partnership effective January 1, 2022. “The Partnership is pleased to announce that Ellen and Emily have been elected as partners of the firm,” said Stephen M. Forte, SGR’s chairman and managing partner. “Both women have made significant contributions in key strategic practice areas and are deserving of this recognition.” Ellen Fontanella is a member of the firm’s Global Transport Practice based in Miami. She represents airlines in connection with the acquisition, leasing and financing of… Read more

NEW YORK (December 29, 2021) – Smith, Gambrell Russell (SGR) is pleased to announce that the firm served as legal counsel to HAP Investments (HAP), a New York-based real estate investment and development company, in its recent $76.8 million refinancing of three East Harlem, New York properties, Hap Two, Hap Five and Hap Ten, comprised of almost 160 units and several leased retail spaces. Allegiant Real Estate Capital provided the financing. Located at 2338 Second Avenue, 329 Pleasant Avenue, and 2211 Third Avenue, the three East Harlem properties are all within one mile of each other with shopping and dining… Read more

ATLANTA (December 16, 2021) – Smith Gambrell Russell (SGR) is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2022, the firm will combine with Rogers & Hardin LLP (R&H), one of Atlanta’s premier law firms. The combination brings together two long-standing Atlanta-based law firms that share a similar reputation for professional excellence and commitment to client service. As a result of the combination, Rogers & Hardin’s attorneys, with their significant litigation, corporate and securities expertise, along with legal and administrative professionals, will join SGR’s existing office in the firm’s new Atlanta headquarters on West Peachtree in Midtown. The combination will bring… Read more

ATLANTA (December 1, 2021) – Smith Gambrell Russell (SGR) is pleased to announce that partners Gregory Kirsch and Gregory Smith have been recognized as Georgia Trend’s 2021 Legal Elite. The Legal Elite is a list of Georgia’s top attorneys in the state selected from 15 different practice areas, as nominated and chosen by their peers. Mr. Kirsch was recognized in Intellectual Property, and Mr. Smith was recognized in Real Estate/Construction. Mr. Kirsch is a Partner in and the Department Head of SGR’s Intellectual Property Practice. His practice encompasses the entire range of patent law, including patent procurement, strategic patent portfolio… Read more

ATLANTA (November 16, 2021) – Smith Gambrell Russell (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to Big V Property Group in its acquisition of The Markets at Town Center, a shopping center located in the popular St. John’s retail district of Jacksonville, Florida. The transaction closed November 15, 2021. Totaling 254,089 square feet, The Markets at Town Center consists of four multi-tenant buildings and five free standing single tenant buildings that sit on 44.1 acres. The grocery-anchored shopping center features Sprouts Farmers Market, Nordstrom Rack, REI, Ulta, and West Marine. The Markets at Town Center is… Read more

ATLANTA (October 25, 2021) – Smith Gambrell Russell (SGR) is pleased to announce its partnership with Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School’s Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) for the 2021-2022 school year. This is the seventh year SGR has served as a Job Partner with the program which helps students envision a future that includes a college degree and a successful professional career and equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to realize that vision. SGR is one of 125 companies serving as a Cristo Rey Atlanta Job Partner through the program, which welcomed its first class in 2014…. Read more

ATLANTA (November 4, 2021) – Smith Gambrell Russell (SGR) is pleased to announce that the firm has again been named to the 2022 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list ranked nationally and in Atlanta, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, and Washington, D.C., including 24 “Tier 1” rankings. For this 12th Edition, SGR has been honored with recognition in several additional practice areas. Firms included in the 2022 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law… Read more

ATLANTA (October 21, 2021) – Smith Gambrell Russell (SGR) is pleased to announce that the firm served as legal counsel to Hicks Electric & Utility Company, Inc. (HESCO), a leading full line distributor of electrical, utility, and Datacom products, in its sale to Winsupply Inc., a leading supplier of residential and commercial construction industrial supplies and materials in the United States. The transaction closed on September 30, 2021. With headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, HESCO has grown to become one of the 250 largest distributors in the U.S. Through the sale, HESCO becomes part of the Winsupply Family of Companies, and… Read more

ATLANTA (October 19, 2021) – Smith Gambrell Russell (SGR) is pleased to announce 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 $53 million combined equity and debt financing transaction with Profound Commerce, an acquirer and operator of Amazon third-party businesses. The proceeds of the credit facility will be used to acquire additional e-commerce brands as a part of Profound Commerce’s category-focused strategy and to expand Profound Commerce’s operating platform. “We are honored to represent Atalaya in this significant transaction in the e-commerce… Read more