ATLANTA (October 15, 2018) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the addition of seven new attorneys to the firm, including the return of real estate veteran Bill Rogers. Globally, SGR has added nearly 30 laterals and new attorneys this year. The firm also has been celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2018. William S. Rogers, Jr. returns to the firm as Counsel in the Jacksonville Real Estate Practice. Mr. Rogers focuses his practice on the acquisition, leasing, development, and financing of commercial real estate property in the Southeast and across the country, with a particular focus… Read more

ATLANTA (October 11, 2018) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as co-counsel to MS Biotech Holdings, Inc. (MS Biotec®), a leading provider of natural, proprietary products that maximize performance in the beef feedlot and dairy markets, in the strategic investment transaction with Paine Schwartz Partners, LLC (Paine Schwartz), a global leader in sustainable food chain investing. Paine Schwartz made the strategic investment through its Paine Schwartz Food Chain Fund IV. Colorado Springs law firm Sparks Willson Borges Brandt & Johnson, P.C. also served as co-counsel to MS Biotec®. MS Biotec® intends to… Read more

ATLANTA (October 10, 2018) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized by Emory University School of Law through the new Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP Suite in the Center for Professional Development and Career Strategy. The honor was bestowed upon SGR in recognition of the firm’s contribution to the university during the law school’s centennial year. The official dedication ceremony and reception was held on October 1 with remarks by Interim Dean James Hughes, along with Emory Law alumni SGR Managing Partner Steve Forte and Partner John Ethridge. In long… Read more

ATLANTA (October 4, 2018) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that firm client, CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. (NYSE: CTT), has agreed to purchase 18,063 acres of prime Oregon timberlands, known as the Brandon Property, from Forest Investment Associates (FIA) for $88.8 million. Separately, CatchMark has agreed to sell 56,000 acres of timberlands in East Texas and western Louisiana of the Southwest Region to FIA for $78.5 million. Advising CatchMark on the transaction is an SGR legal team led by Atlanta Real Estate Practice Section Head Mark Pottorff, and Atlanta Real Estate’s Sharon Duvall, Partner and… Read more

ATLANTA (September 26, 2018) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to Bessemer Trust in connection with its approximately 237,000-square-foot office lease in 1271 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan. The deal is one of New York City’s largest new office leases of 2018. Bessemer Trust completed an extensive search within New York City before finalizing plans to move its current headquarters within a city block on the other side of Rockefeller Center to 1271 Avenue of the Americas. One of the world’s largest advisors of high-net-worth clients, Bessemer… Read more

ATLANTA (September 10, 2018) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that U.K. attorney, Jonathan Russell has been selected for inclusion in the 2018 edition of Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) Guide, the publication’s first specifically aimed at the international private wealth market. Mr. Russell has been recognized for his work in the Private Aircraft – Global-wide practice area. Based in the firm’s London office, Jonathan Russell is a Senior Associate in SGR’s Global Transport Practice. He is a UK qualified transaction lawyer specializing in the sale, purchase, financing, ownership, and operation of corporate and private… Read more

ATLANTA (September 6, 2018) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to Big V Acquisitions, a subsidiary of Big V Property Group, in two of its recent shopping center acquisitions. The New York-based investment management company acquired Willow Oak Plaza in Waynesboro, Virginia and Belvedere Plaza in Anderson, South Carolina. The two recent acquisitions bring Big V’s portfolio to 40 neighborhood and community shopping centers, totaling more than 4.4 million square feet in New York state and throughout the Southeast U.S. Willow Oak Plaza is a 163,000-square-foot shopping center located… Read more

ATLANTA (August 20, 2018) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce its partnership with Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School’s Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) for the 2018-2019 school year. This is the fourth year SGR has served as a Job Partner with the five-year-old 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. Through the innovative CWSP, students work five full days a month at top local businesses, called Job Partners, in a job… Read more