ATLANTA (July 18, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the promotion of Zara Evans from U.K. senior transaction paralegal to associate in the London office following her qualification as a Solicitor. Prior to joining SGR in 2019, Zara served as a paralegal with Milbank LLP and Norton Rose Fulbright. As a member of SGR’s Global Transport Practice, Zara focuses on aviation transactions, including the acquisition, finance and leasing of aircraft and aircraft engines on behalf of leasing companies, airlines and other aviation industry entities. Prior to joining SGR, she was a practicing paralegal for… Read more

ATLANTA (July 5, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that five of its Intellectual Property (IP) attorneys have been recognized in the 12th Edition of the IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals of 2023, a unique guide that identifies the top patent professionals and firms in key jurisdictions around the globe. Gregory Kirsch, Dr. Judy Jarecki-Black, Indhira LaPuma, Michael Riesen, and Matthew Warenzak are recognized for their work in patent prosecution. Additionally, the Firm has been recognized for its patent work in the U.S. State of Georgia. SGR was praised for “providing… Read more

ATLANTA (June 30, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Chicago Partner Shelly A. DeRousse has been selected to The 2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers, an annual elite list distinction in the legal profession representing the best lawyers who are helping companies navigate ailing economies and uncertain times. This is the third time Lawdragon has issued the list of top lawyers for Bankruptcy & Restructuring, and Ms. DeRousse was previously selected to both lists in 2020 and 2022. Ms. DeRousse is the section head of the Bankruptcy Practice of SGR, which… Read more

ATLANTA (June 27, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Partner Tawny Mack has been elected secretary of the Atlanta Chapter of The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) for 2023-2024. Ms. Mack is finishing her term as treasurer and previously served as a director. She was named Member of the Year in 2022. Additionally, SGR was presented the 2023 Super Sponsor award during the NAWIC Annual Anniversary Luncheon on June 16. Tawny Mack is a member of SGR’s Construction and Energy practices. She is a full-service construction lawyer who assists clients across… Read more

ATLANTA (June 6, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the Firm has been recognized by The American Lawyer as a 2023 Am Law 200 firm for the ninth consecutive year. SGR improved its standing on the list by nine spots, as a result of the Firm’s steady strategic growth. SGR was one of only 19 firms in the “Second Hundred” to post a double-digit increase in gross revenue. The Am Law 200, a ranking of the 200 highest-grossing law firms in the United States, is reported by ALM business of law journalists and… Read more

ATLANTA (June 5, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Aleksas Barauskas has joined the Firm’s Litigation Practice as partner in the Jacksonville office. He joins SGR from Akerman LLP in Jacksonville. “We are pleased to welcome Aleksas to the Jacksonville Litigation Practice,” said Steven Brust, SGR’s Jacksonville office managing partner. “He has an extensive background in litigation with the utmost focus on achieving the best outcome for the client. Moreover, a number of our partners have worked closely with Aleksas on matters over the years and feel he will be a tremendous asset… Read more

ATLANTA (June 2, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that yesterday, firm client General III, LLC (d/b/a Southside Recycling) obtained a significant victory in its litigation against the City of Chicago appealing the denial of a permit to operate its newly-constructed, state-of-the-art $80 million metal recycling facility on the Southeast Side of Chicago. Southside Recycling had previously obtained all required permits and zoning approvals to construct the facility, and had applied to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) for a large recycling facility permit to operate. Despite the previous  approvals, CDPH denied the… Read more

ATLANTA (June 1, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized by Construction Executive magazine in The Top 50 Construction Law Firms™ for 2023. Construction Executive ranked SGR 29 among the top 50 construction practices in the country, moving up from 37 in 2022.  SGR’s Construction Group is known for its depth of knowledge of the AEC industry, ability to handle all aspects of the construction process from project conception through dispute resolution, and work on behalf of owners and contractors across the U.S. and abroad. This is the magazine’s… Read more

ATLANTA (June 1, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the attorneys and practices selected for inclusion in the 2023 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 following 18 practice areas, as noted, in District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, or USA – Nationwide: Antitrust – Illinois (Band 3) Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Illinois (Band 5)… Read more

ATLANTA (May 18, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the Firm served as legal counsel to TX Logistik AG, a major German rolling stock operator, in its acquisition of up to 65 locomotives from rail vehicle manufacturer Siemens Mobility. The contract includes the purchase of 40 modern Vectron locomotives, along with 25 additional Vectron locomotives as an option. The full-service contract, signed at the Transport Logistic trade fair in Munich, Germany, also includes locomotive maintenance to be performed by Siemens Mobility. The locomotives are scheduled for delivery in September 2024 and December 2025…. Read more