ATLANTA (September 7, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Thomas S. Gallagher has joined its New York office as a partner as the firm expands the Corporate Practice. “Thomas is a welcome addition to SGR’s growing presence in New York City,” said Stephen Forte, SGR’s managing partner. “His expertise and sophistication dealing with structuring funds and securitization vehicles adds a new dimension to our corporate practice.” Mr. Gallagher focuses his practice on the representation of funds, financial entities, investment banks and consumer and commercial lenders in corporate, securities and regulatory matters. He creates… Read more
Press Releases
SGR Partners with Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School’s Corporate Work Study Program for Second Year
ATLANTA (August 22, 2016) – 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 2016-2017 school year. This is the second year SGR has partnered with the three-year-old program. The objective of the CWSP is to help students envision a future that includes a college degree and a successful professional career and to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to realize that vision. “SGR is proud of our continued partnership with Cristo Rey’s Corporate Work Study Program which enables the students… Read more
Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 24 SGR Attorneys in 2017
ATLANTA (August 15, 2016) – Law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that 24 of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, the leading peer-review-based directory of legal practitioners. In addition to the 24 attorneys included in this year’s edition, Gregory J. Kirsch, Kristen M. Lewis and Kathryn M. Zickert received the Lawyer of the Year designation. The following SGR attorneys were selected in their respective practice areas for 2017: Atlanta Thomas H. Asselin (Construction Law) Stephen M. Forte (Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Banking and Finance)… Read more
Best Lawyers in America Names SGR’s Gregory Kirsch as Georgia’s Patent Law “Lawyer of the Year”
ATLANTA (August 15, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Gregory J. Kirsch has been named Georgia’s Patent Law “Lawyer of the Year” for 2017 by The Best Lawyers in America®, the leading peer-review-based directory of legal practitioners. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is recognized as the “Lawyer of the Year.” Attorneys who are honored as “Lawyer of the Year” have received particularly high ratings by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity. In addition to this recognition, Mr. Kirsch has… Read more
Best Lawyers in America Names SGR’s Kristen Lewis as Georgia’s Trust and Estates Law “Lawyer of the Year”
ATLANTA (August 15, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Kristen M. Lewis has been named Georgia’s Trust and Estates“Lawyer of the Year” for 2017 by The Best Lawyers in America®, the leading peer-review-based directory of legal practitioners. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is recognized as the “Lawyer of the Year.” Attorneys who are honored as “Lawyer of the Year” have received particularly high ratings by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity. In addition to this recognition, Ms. Lewis has… Read more
Best Lawyers in America Names SGR’s Kathryn Zickert as Georgia’s Litigation-Land Use and Zoning “Lawyer of the Year”
ATLANTA (August 15, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Kathryn M. Zickert has been named Georgia’s Litigation-Land Use and Zoning“Lawyer of the Year” for 2017 by The Best Lawyers in America®, the leading peer-review-based directory of legal practitioners. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is recognized as the “Lawyer of the Year.” Attorneys who are honored as “Lawyer of the Year” have received particularly high ratings by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity. This is the third year in a… Read more
SGR Client, Cherry Street Energy, Executes First Solar Energy Procurement Agreement in Georgia Under HB 57, The Solar Power Free-Market Financing Act of 2015
ATLANTA (August 4, 2016) – Law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce its client, Cherry Street Energy, LLC, has executed the first Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) under HB 57, The Solar Power Free-Market Financing Act of 2015. As the county transitions to renewable power, Macon-Bibb Commissioners approved the agreement which contracts Cherry Street Energy to construct multiple solar arrays to power county buildings in Macon, Georgia. Macon-Bibb County is taking advantage of the solar financing market created by HB 57, allowing Cherry Street to install the solar panels at its cost, and recoup its… Read more
Smith, Gambrell & Russell Represents Vanguard Truck Centers in Acquisition
ATLANTA (August 1, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to Vanguard Truck Centers (Vanguard) in the company’s acquisition by Stephens Capital Partners. The partnership provides Vanguard with shareholder liquidity and enhanced access to capital to support strategic expansion. Vanguard, the largest multi-regional truck dealership platform in the Volvo/Mack dealer network, has been family-owned for more than 25 years. Considered a leading innovator in the dealer system, Vanguard has succeeded by expertly managing locations across disparate geographies, growing via greenfield expansion and opportunistic acquisitions while maintaining best-in-industry operations. Arkansas-based… Read more
Smith, Gambrell & Russell Welcomes 5 Additional New Attorneys
ATLANTA (July 20, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the addition of five new attorneys to the firm: Carrie Anderer, Benjamin Deninger, Chloe Furfine, Heiko Gruenwald, and Ariane Smith. “Continuing with our strategic growth, Smith, Gambrell & Russell is excited to again welcome new attorneys to the firm,” said Stephen Forte, SGR’s managing partner. “These new associates each bring a unique skillset and additional energy into several dynamic practice areas.” Ms. Anderer, an associate in SGR’s New York Litigation and Labor and Employment Practices, represents clients in a variety of complex commercial litigation matters,… Read more
Partner James Bikoff of Smith, Gambrell & Russell Appointed Chair of the Trademark Litigation in the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law
ATLANTA (July 19, 2016) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Partner James Bikoff has been appointed Chair of the Trademark Litigation Committee in the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law (ABA-IPL) for the 2016-2017 membership year. As part of the ABA and as the largest organization of intellectual property lawyers in the world, the ABA-IPL is a highly respected and influential voice of the Intellectual Property bar. Leaders provide thoughtful consideration of the emerging issues that shape and influence the views and policies advocated by the Section, encourage the development of relevant… Read more