ATLANTA (December 16, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to Adecco Group, the world’s leading provider of workforce solutions, in the merger of its subsidiary Beeline with IQNavigator. The transaction, which closed on December 12, 2016, combines the two leading Vendor Management Systems (VMS) providers creating the world’s number one independent technology provider for extended workforce solutions. As a result of leveraging complementary technical strengths and the synergies of shared investment in new products, customers and partners will enjoy accelerated innovation and solutions enhancement, while continuing to receive… Read more

ATLANTA (December 5, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Partner Leah Ward Sears is featured in Balancing the Scales, a documentary on American women lawyers. Balancing the Scales, an insightful documentary by attorney/filmmaker Sharon Rowen, explores the history of women in law, what has changed in the last 50 years, and what is happening with young women lawyers today. Topics range from discrimination to work life balance, what it takes to become a partner in today’s firms, and what we need to change for women to break the glass ceiling and really have… Read more

ATLANTA (November 17, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Charles Vorndran, Ph.D. has joined its Atlanta office as a partner in the Intellectual Property (IP) Department. “Charlie is a welcome addition to SGR’s large and growing IP practice,” said Greg Kirsch, department head of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice. “His scientific depth and legal experience in life science patent law, working with both companies and universities, will help us further expand our existing life science patent practice.” Dr. Vorndran is a skilled life science patent attorney with 17 years of experience in the patent… Read more

ATLANTA (November 14, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce Partner David Burge has been selected as an honoree of the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award by the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The honor was presented at the 2017 Whitney M. Young Service Awards Banquet on September 29, 2016. The national Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award is designed to recognize those individuals and corporations who have been instrumental in the development of Scouting for rural, urban, and suburban youth who often face challenging barriers. This award recognizes “unsung… Read more

ATLANTA (November 2, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Partner Katharine Rowe has been named Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience. Ms. Rowe is also a member of the Whitney Research Village/Housing Committee. As Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ms. Rowe assists the Chair in implementing the initiatives of the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees. In addition, she helps identify potential new board members and engages in fundraising efforts to support the Whitney Lab’s goals. Ms. Rowe is the section head of the… Read more

ATLANTA (November 1, 2016) – Law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the firm has been named among the “Best Law Firms” for 2017 by U.S. News – Best Lawyers ranked nationally and in Atlanta, Jacksonville and New York City, including nine “Tier 1” rankings. The rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and attorney evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firm submissions. Clients were asked to provide feedback on firm practice groups, addressing expertise, responsiveness,… Read more

ATLANTA (October 27, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Alyson Graham has been selected for the seventh class of the Philanthropic Advisor Leadership Institute (PALI), part of the Balser Professional Advisors Council. The Balser Professional Advisors Council is collaboration between the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, and United Way of Greater Atlanta. PALI provides financial, legal and accounting professionals with training designed to better educate them on incorporating charitable planning into their professional practice. The purpose of PALI is to deepen participants’ understanding of how values motivate… Read more

ATLANTA (October 18, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to State Bank & Trust Company in the closing of a $29,230,000.00 syndicated construction loan to Braves Entertainment Company, LLC. The co-lender was Atlantic Capital Bank, N.A. The loan will finance the construction of the Braves entertainment district which includes a 76,000-square-foot office building, 53,000-square-foot Roxy Theatre to be operated by Live Nation, 16,000 square feet of retail and a 400 space parking deck at The Battery Atlanta as part of the new Atlanta Braves SunTrust Park development. The… Read more

ATLANTA (September 16, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears has joined the firm as a Partner in the Business Litigation and Appellate Practices. “We are thrilled to have Justice Sears join our firm,” said Stephen Forte, SGR’s chairman and managing partner. “Not only is Justice Sears a preeminent attorney and jurist, she also possesses the leadership qualities that enhance the culture and profile of our law firm. Our clients locally, nationally, and internationally will benefit from her expertise.” Following her retirement as Chief Justice… Read more