ATLANTA (November 14, 2012) — Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) received the First Place award in the Special Event Collateral category for its annual employment law seminar program materials at the 2012 Legal Marketing Association, Southeastern Chapter (LMASE) Your Honor Awards, announced November 2. The Special Event Collateral entry featured seminar materials from the Firm’s annual employment law seminar entitled “Workplace 2012: Staying Ahead of the Game.” The central theme, featuring favorite childhood board games, included original design and photography, attorney presentations tailored to a specific game, and travel-sized game giveaways. Judges called the collateral “clever” and commented that… Read more

ATLANTA (November 12, 2012) — Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) was named Industry Partner of the Year at the 6th Annual Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards held in Atlanta, Ga. on November 11. Perry McGuire, Counsel in the Firm’s Franchise and Distribution Law, Governmental Affairs, and Hospitality Services Groups, and a founding board member of the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA), was also recognized for his contribution to GRA and the hospitality industry generally. Mr. McGuire serves on the GRA Board of Directors and as Co-Chair of the Legislative/Governmental Affairs Committee. He played a key role in… Read more

ATLANTA (November 1, 2012) — Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP has been named among the “Best Law Firms” for 2013 by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® in 10 practice areas, including an Atlanta Tier 1 ranking in Land Use & Zoning Law. The 2013 U.S. News — Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings recognize SGR in the following practice areas: National Rankings Land Use & Zoning Law (Tier 2) Metropolitan Rankings Atlanta Land Use & Zoning Law (Tier 1) Antitrust Law (Tier 2) Environmental Law (Tier 2) Litigation — Environmental (Tier 2) Litigation — Intellectual Property (Tier 2) Trademark Law… Read more

ATLANTA (October 19, 2012) — Last week, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP Partner Aasia Mustakeem received the Conscientious Service Award from the Global Diversity Summit in Commercial Real Estate, Inc. (GDS) for her dedication and commitment to the organization and the furtherance of the commercial real estate industry. Ms. Mustakeem, whose practice focuses on commercial real estate, represents developers, purchasers and sellers in connection with acquisition, disposition and development of office, hotel, retail, industrial and mixed-use projects. She is a member of several boards, including the Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation, ZooAtlanta, the Georgia Bar Foundation and the Real Estate Executive… Read more

ATLANTA (October 18, 2012) — The law firm of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP announced today that Gregory J. Kirsch has joined the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice in Atlanta. Prior to joining SGR, Mr. Kirsch practiced at Ballard Spahr LLP. Mr. Kirsch focuses his practice on patent law with a concentration in electrical and communications technology, software and business methods patents, as well as medical technology. He serves as patent counsel to numerous technology companies ranging from large, multinational corporations to small start-ups. “We are pleased to welcome Greg to SGR’s Intellectual Property Practice,” said Stephen M. Forte, SGR’s Managing… Read more

ATLANTA (October 8, 2012) — The Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) announced the finalists for the 6th Annual Georgia Restaurants Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards last week. Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is a finalist for Industry Partner of the Year. The winners will be announced November 11 at the GRACE Awards Gala to be held at the Loews Atlanta Hotel. The GRACE Awards are peer-nominated and honor the top finalists in the following categories: Restaurateur of the Year, Industry Partner of the Year, Distinguished Service Award and the Innovator Award. The GRA will also honor this year’s Lifetime Achievement… Read more

ATLANTA (October 8, 2012) — Smith, Gambrel & Russell, LLP attorneys Jay Schwartz, Julie Sebastian and John Tinstman advised Given Imaging Ltd. in the acquisition of assets from The SmartPill Corporation. The deal was announced October 4. The assets relate to The SmartPill® GI Monitoring System, which includes The SmartPill®, an ingestible wireless capsule that transmits data relating to pressure, pH and temperature in the GI tract. In addition to the assets, the acquisition includes payments based on sales of The SmartPill® between 2013 and 2016. Headquarter in Yoqneam, Israel, Given Imaging Ltd. is a world leader in GI medical… Read more

NEW YORK (September 6, 2011) — Smith, Gambrell & Russell announced today that six attorneys have joined the firm’s New York office from Fox Rothschild LLP: Joseph M. Pastore III, William M. Dailey, Paul R. Dehmel, Michael A. Zamat, Leanne Murray Shofi and Jennifer R. Shufro. “The addition of these highly talented lawyers will provide SGR with a greater depth of experience in the areas of complex litigation, securities and regulatory compliance,” said Stephen M. Forte, SGR’s Managing Partner. “Their arrival reinforces our long term commitment to expand the capabilities in our New York office, opening opportunities for our existing… Read more

ATLANTA (August 24, 2012) — Sixteen Smith, Gambrell & Russell attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2013 (Copyright 2012 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC). First published in 1983, Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which more than 36,000 leading attorneys cast nearly 4.4 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Because attorneys are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. SGR attorneys included in The Best Lawyers… Read more

{photo1-left} ATLANTA (July 27, 2012) — On July 25, Lisa Branch of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP was appointed to the Georgia Court of Appeals by Governor Nathan Deal. Her appointment will take effect on September 1, 2012, when she replaces Judge Charles B. Mikell, who will retire on August 31. “Lisa’s elevation to Georgia’s second highest court continues a long tradition of SGR lawyers who have filled important positions in the state and federal judiciary,” said Stephen M. Forte, the firm’s managing partner. “We are thrilled for Lisa’s accomplishment and extend our heartfelt congratulations to her. “ Ms. Branch… Read more