ATLANTA (May 20, 2015) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that eight attorneys and four practices have been recognized in the 2015 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. The prestigious legal guide, published annually by London-based Chambers & Partners, identifies leading lawyers and law firm practices based on interviews conducted by Chambers researchers with thousands of attorneys and their clients. Chambers USA recognized SGR in the areas of Environment, Real Estate, Intellectual Property (Recognized Practitioner), and Tax (Recognized Practitioner).  The following attorneys are ranked in their respective areas of practice: Thomas H…. Read more

ATLANTA (May 12, 2015) — Georgia took a giant leap forward in the development of distributed solar power in the state, outpacing all other states in the region.  With the enactment of HB 57, The Solar Power Free-Market Financing Act of 2015, signed into law today, Georgia becomes the first state in the Southeastern U.S. to legislatively approve private sales of electricity from onsite solar systems as a means of financing solar energy for Georgia businesses, institutions, schools and homes.  The forward-thinking legislators in Georgia’s General Assembly, led by the bill’s sponsor, Representative Mike Dudgeon (R-Johns Creek), recognized that the… Read more

Thomas W. Rhodes, head of SGR’s antitrust and trade regulation practice, has been announced as a 2015 Tradition of Excellence Award recipient. The award is presented by the State Bar of Georgia’s General Practice and Trial Section to four outstanding members of the Bar including one plaintiff lawyer, one defense lawyer, one general practice lawyer and one judge. The awards will be presented at the section breakfast June 19, at 7 a.m., followed by a reception that evening from 5 – 7 p.m.

Don Mitchell, a partner in SGR’s air transport industry practice, was on hand this week for the signing of HB 18. The bill, authored by Representative Jason Spencer from Camden County, Georgia, will amend the state’s professional licensing statute to exempt aerospace engineers from state licensing requirements.  This closes a catch-22 that aerospace engineers in the state have been subject to for many years in that they are required to be licensed, but have no means to be licensed by the state or any other organization.  Instead, the state will now formally rely on the longstanding federal (including military) framework… Read more

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) announced today that John Tyler and Anthony Rollins have joined the firm’s tax practice. “We are thrilled to have John and A.J. join the firm,” said Stephen Forte, SGR’s managing partner. “They bring a tremendous amount of experience to our tax and tax controversy practice having successfully litigated matters in the United States Tax Court, numerous district courts, and nearly half of the federal courts of appeal. Their addition will greatly benefit our clients.” Tyler, who is also a certified public accountant, focuses his practice in the areas of tax planning and controversy. As part of… Read more

ATLANTA (April 29, 2015) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) announced today Carolyn Herman has joined as counsel in the firm’s Jacksonville, Fla. office. “Carolyn is a highly regarded practitioner in the entertainment sector,” said Stephen Forte, SGR’s managing partner. “She will add depth to this practice area so we can be even more responsive to the needs of our clients.” Herman has represented film producers, record labels, music and literary publishers, musicians, models, agents, authors, artists and illustrators, and other content providers for over 20 years in all aspects of entertainment law. She is currently a member of Jacksonville’s… Read more

{photo1-left}SGR is pleased to announce that Edward A. Pennington has been named a 2015 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyer in the area of intellectual property (IP). This is the second year in a row he has been recognized. Pennington, a partner at the firm, is head of the IP litigation practice and has worked exclusively in the field of IP for close to 30 years. During that time he has tried matters in a wide range of technical fields including biotechnology, wireless communication and networking, computer architecture and hardware, software implementing a wide variety of functionality, navigation devices, encryption and cryptography, medical devices, automotive components,… Read more

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) announced today that Lisa A. Smith has joined the firm’s real estate practice, and Dana L. Mark has joined the firm’s private client services practice. “We are delighted to welcome Lisa and Dana to the firm,” said Stephen Forte, SGR’s managing partner. “They add significant skill sets to our New York office and the firm as a whole.” Smith’s clients include cooperative and condominium buildings on an ongoing basis in connection with their general corporate and condominium association matters, including those relating to tenant stockholders and unit owners, board members, managing agents and contractors. She has represented… Read more

ATLANTA (March 25, 2015) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) announced today that J.D. Humphries, III has joined the firm’s construction law practice and Richard (Dick) W. Stephens has joined its real estate practice. “J.D. and Dick have practiced together and run their own law firm in Atlanta,” said Stephen Forte, SGR’s managing partner. “They are well known to us and highly regarded in the Atlanta legal community. Both add depth and experience to our core construction and real estate practices. We welcome these fine lawyers and their clients to SGR.” Humphries represents general contractors, architects and designers, subcontractors and owners… Read more

SGR’s John McCarthy  was accepted into and will be attending the National Trial Academy sponsored by the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) of the American Bar Association and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).  This course, affectionately called the country’s top “Boot Camp for Lawyers,” offers a unique, interactive, diverse program combining today’s latest technology with the country’s top trial lawyers as personal mentors. McCarthy was selected as one of only 36 students to participate in the intense 4½ day program. The curriculum includes a case study, individual courtroom presentations, and lectures and courtroom demonstrations by faculty members… Read more