ATLANTA (April 3, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to Gerdau S.A. in the sale of its Atmosphere Annealing (AA) and NitroSteel (NS) divisions, collectively known as Premier Thermal Solutions (PTS), to Z Capital Partners, L.L.C. The transaction, which closed on March 31, 2017, provides PTS with the financial backing to expand its metal heat-treating service offering by adding capabilities organically, through strategic acquisitions and by diversifying into additional end-markets. A leading producer of long steel and one of the largest suppliers of special steel, Gerdau divested PTS… Read more

ATLANTA (March 30, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Kimberly Potter, Office Administrator of the Washington, D.C. office, has been voted in as Chair of the Intellectual Property Section of the Capital Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA). Ms. Potter was officially elected during the Change of the Gavel held today. The Chair’s one-year term concludes March 30, 2018. As Section Chair, Ms. Potter will lead the regular section member-only meetings, communicate relevant decisions of the Executive Committee to the section, attend monthly Leadership Team meetings, report activities of the section… Read more

ATLANTA (March 30, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Partner and former Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, Leah Ward Sears, has been invited to join the Amicus Curiae Committee of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers (AAAL). The AAAL is an invitation only organization limited to 500 lawyers exclusively, called Fellows, who must “possesses a reputation of recognized distinction as an appellate lawyer.” The AAAL’s stated mission is to “advance the highest standards and practices of appellate advocacy and to recognize outstanding appellate lawyers.” Through its Amicus Curiae Committee, the AAAL… Read more

ATLANTA (March 16, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm’s client, the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry (National Grange), a national non-profit fraternal organization promoting the economic and political well-being of the community and agriculture, has secured another victory that will significantly advance its collection efforts for a $144,715.70 attorney fee award owed by the California Guild. On March 9, 2017, Judge Shubb of the Eastern District of California granted the National Grange’s Motion for Assignment Order, holding that that membership dues owed by the Guild’s 83 local chapters… Read more

ATLANTA (March 8, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Managing Partner Stephen Forte has been selected to serve on the Best Lawyers® Advisory Board. The Best Lawyers Board of Advisors is a group of distinguished legal professionals from the around the world. Almost 400 organizations are currently represented including the world’s leading law firms and Fortune 500 and Global 500 companies. To view the members of the Advisory Board, click here. Steve Forte is the Managing Partner and Chairman of the Executive Committee of SGR. In this role, he oversees the strategic growth… Read more

ATLANTA (March 6, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Partner James Bikoff  has been selected to serve on Law360’s 2017 Intellectual Property Editorial Advisory Board. As a member of the editorial advisory board, Mr. Bikoff will provide his expert feedback on the publication’s coverage and insight on topics for future coverage. To view the 2017 Intellectual Property Editorial Advisory Board, click here. James Bikoff is a Partner in SGR’s Washington, D.C. Intellectual Property Practice. His more than 30-year practice focuses on formulating and implementing worldwide trademark and copyright protection and enforcement programs for… Read more

ATLANTA (February 20, 2017 ) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Partners James Bikoff, J. Rodgers Lunsford III, and Bruce McDonald have been recognized on World Trademark Review 1000 list (WTR 1000) of the world’s leading trademark professionals of 2017. This year marks the seventh edition of the research directory. Focusing exclusively on trademark practices and practitioners, The WTR 1000 has firmly established itself as the definitive ‘go-to’ resource for those seeking legal trademark expertise. To maximize its value for users, this year the research has been expanded to increase the guide’s geographical scope, identifying… Read more