ATLANTA (August 11, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that two firm partners have been elected to the 2023-2024 Board of Directors of the Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises (AFHE), the leading resource for legal professionals who provide multi-disciplinary counsel to family-held enterprises. Laura Wartner, partner in SGR’s Atlanta office, will serve as board president, and Michael Whitty, partner in SGR’s Chicago office, will serve as board secretary. Laura Wartner is the head of SGR’s Tax Practice with a focus in Private Wealth Services. Ms. Wartner’s experience includes all aspects of family business and wealth… Read more

ATLANTA (August 10, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Partner David J. Burge has been elected chairman of the board of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the state agency responsible for operating 65 programs and managing nearly $300 million in state and federal funding annually to support the state of Georgia’s efforts to build strong, vibrant communities. Mr. Burge was appointed to the DCA Board by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in 2020 and most recently served as its vice-chair. David Burge is a partner with SGR’s Atlanta Real Estate Practice where… Read more

ATLANTA (August  7, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Partner Roger Juan Maldonado has been named #48 on the 2023 Transportation Power 100 by City & State New York magazine along with Rosemonde Pierre-Louis for their continued leadership of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA’s) “Fareness” Blue Ribbon Panel. Covering New York’s local and state politics and policy, City & State New York compiles the Transportation Power 100 list to feature the most important figures navigating New York City’s complex and complicated transportation ecosystem. In 2022, Mr. Maldonado was invited to serve on MTA’s “Fareness” Blue… Read more

ATLANTA (July 31, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Jacksonville Partner Richard Rivera has been appointed chair of the Mental Health & Wellness of Florida Lawyers Committee by the president of The Florida Bar. The Mental Health & Wellness of Florida Lawyers Committee was established to implement the 2018-2019 Florida Bar Strategic Planning Priority, which focuses on the mental health and wellness of Florida lawyers, and to continue the work started by the Special Committee on Mental Health and Wellness of Florida Lawyers. Mr. Rivera’s one-year term began on July 1. Mr. Rivera… Read more

ATLANTA (July 21, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that firm client The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry (the Grange or National Grange), America’s oldest agricultural fraternal organization, has received a favorable decision from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) in its recent opposition against a trademark application filed by HerdDogg, Inc., a livestock management company. HerdDogg, Inc.’s application was filed on August 28, 2020 to trademark “The Grange” to cover “computerized on-line retail store services in the field of data collection and… Read more

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