ATLANTA (August 30, 2017) – 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 2017-2018 school year. This is the third year SGR has served as a Job Partner with the four-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

ATLANTA (August 28, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to the Adecco Group, the world’s leading provider of workforce solutions, in the sale of its subsidiary, OnForce, to WorkMarket, the leader in work automation software. The transaction, which closed on August 7, 2017, will also establish a strategic partnership between the Adecco Group and WorkMarket which gives the company access to WorkMarket’s work automation platform. A pioneer in tech services platforms, OnForce was the first company to build a freelancer management system for the IT field services ecosystem…. Read more

ATLANTA (August 16, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to Blueprint RF, a leading managed network solutions provider serving the hospitality and travel industry, in its acquisition by Cox Communications (Cox). By joining the well-established Cox family of businesses, Blueprint RF is better positioned to expand its products and services within the evolving hospitality industry. Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, Blueprint RF is considered a leader and an innovator in hospitality solutions. The company is known for its reputation for quality design, solid delivery, support services and continuous innovation… Read more

ATLANTA (August 14, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that effective August 7 Steven Rossum has left the partnership to become the CEO of firm client, Silver Airways. In his role as CEO, Mr. Rossum will lead the Fort Lauderdale-based airline in its new strategic initiatives including the delivery of up to 50 new ATR-600 series aircraft; the purchasing and lease financing of which he was instrumental in securing. Since 2013, Mr. Rossum served as CEO and managing director of SGR Aviation Consulting, LLC, the firm’s aviation consulting group, and as a partner in… Read more

ATLANTA (August 11, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to NetDragon Websoft Inc. (NetDragon) in its acquisition of Jumpstart Games, Inc. (Jumpstart). The transaction, which closed on July 1, 2017, expands NetDragon’s U.S. business portfolio and adds to its influence in the strategically important learning-based games market. Based in China, NetDragon is a prominent developer, operator, and publisher of online games and mobile applications. To date, NetDragon has released more than 50 self-developed online games and quality mobile apps, in 15 different languages, covering more than 180 countries,… Read more

ATLANTA (August 10, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that M. Everett (“Rett”) Peaden has joined the firm as a partner in its Corporate Practice in Atlanta. As a Partner in the firm’s Corporate Practice, Mr. Peaden focuses primarily on mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, he provides general counsel to business clients, advising on ongoing transactional matters, and assists the owners of closely-held businesses with long-term succession planning. “SGR is excited to welcome Rett to the firm’s Corporate Practice,” said Stephen M. Forte, SGR’s chairman and managing partner. “His added expertise in tax law coupled… Read more

ATLANTA (August 9, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to SEI/Aaron’s, Inc. (SEI) in connection with the sale of substantially all of its assets to its franchisor, Aaron’s, Inc. (Aaron’s), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions, for an all cash purchase price of approximately $140 million. The SGR transaction team was led by Atlanta Partner Eric Mandus, a member of the firm’s Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, with the assistance of Atlanta Associate Heiko Gruenwald.  Atlanta Partner Tom Hong and Atlanta Associate Jonathan Hurt handled the antitrust compliance… Read more

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to Utility Associates, Inc. (Utility) in the venture funding round that secured capital from private investment vehicle Hicks Holdings, LLC (Hicks). The venture capital will support the expansion of Utility’s BodyWorn™ product and position the company for growth within the first responder industry. BodyWorn is the only smart solution that incorporates GPS, motion sensors, real-time communications, live video streaming and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to meet the ever-evolving needs of law enforcement. The BodyWorn camera system is combined with Utility’s Ecosystem of solutions, which includes… Read more

ATLANTA (July 26, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that partners Greg Kirsch and Dale Lischer have once again been recognized for 2017 on Intellectual Asset Management’s (IAM’s) IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professionals. The IAM Patent 1000, a unique guide that identifies the top patent professionals in key jurisdictions around the globe, shines a spotlight on the firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in this pivotal area of practice. The guide has been compiled following an extensive research process. Over five months, IAM conducted approximately 1,800 interviews with numerous… Read more