JACKSONVILLE (June 13, 2013) – Law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the addition of ten attorneys to its Jacksonville, Fla. office. Previously with Fowler White Boggs P.A., the group consists of six partners, one counsel attorney, and three associates practicing in the areas of corporate law, litigation and real estate. SGR’s Jacksonville office now has a total of 31 attorneys.
“We have built respected corporate, litigation and real estate practices in Florida,” said Stephen M. Forte, SGR’s Managing Partner. “The addition of these experienced lawyers will bolster our already well-established practices, giving us the ability to expand our reach and better serve our clients.”
The attorneys that have recently joined SGR’s Jacksonville office are:
Partner E .K. Cottrell specializes in the area of complex commercial litigation. Some of his representative areas of practice include defense of class actions on behalf of insurers, business entities, and management for alleged improper market conduct or business practices, mergers and acquisitions, securities, and fiduciary obligations; representation of financial institutions concerning creditors’ rights and obligations; representation of insurers and reinsurers in coverage and regulatory compliance matters; and other general business litigation.
Melissa A. Dearing, Partner, practices in all aspects of labor and employment and immigration law, including the handling of discrimination and harassment litigation, wage and hour compliance and litigation, union avoidance, non-compete, non-solicitation and trade secret litigation, and general employee relations advice. She assists employers in seeking non-immigrant and immigrant status and has extensive experience with H-1Bs and the PERM-based green card process. Ms. Dearing also represents foreign nationals in family immigration matters and assists employers with I-9 and other immigration compliance issues.
Litigation Partner John P. Marino has extensive experience in class actions and complex commercial litigation involving insurance matters, deceptive business practices and consumer fraud. He has litigated class actions in federal and state courts throughout Florida and several other jurisdictions, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
James B. Porter, Partner, practices in the area of business law and commercial real estate law, with experience in commercial leasing, buy/sell transactions, development, financing, distressed debt resolutions, condominium regimes, property management and title insurance. Mr. Porter also has significant experience in the purchase, sale, financing and management of multi-family and medical real estate.
Lindsey R. Trowell, a Partner in the Firm’s Litigation practice, has experience in class actions, complex commercial and securities litigation involving defense of class actions on behalf of insurers, business entities, and management for alleged improper market conduct or business practices. He has also represented broker-dealers, investment advisers, financial institutions, public and private companies, and individuals in a wide range of securities matters including litigation, arbitration, and regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings.
Labor and Employment Law Partner Jeffrey P. Watson is a litigator with a practice emphasis on and extensive experience in non-compete, non-solicitation and trade secret litigation, handling cases in federal and state courts throughout the United States. He represents private and public sector entities in all employment and labor law matters and litigation, including class and collective action defense, union avoidance and collective bargaining, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and wage and hour compliance matters.
Karl B. Hanson, Jr., Counsel, is a commercial real estate attorney concentrating in acquisitions, dispositions, development, financing, leasing, and management of real property. He has represented clients in all facets of ownership in the real estate area and has served as counsel to commercial and mortgage banking companies in regard to their operations and financing. Mr. Hanson is an experienced real property title insurance attorney, representing several major national title insurance companies; and he has served as Florida counsel to many national companies in regard to their mortgage lending activities.
Brandon C. Dodd, Associate, practices in the area of general business law and commercial real estate law, including real estate acquisitions, sales and development, real estate finance, commercial leasing, condominium law, title insurance, mortgage foreclosures and workouts, homeowners associations and contracts.
Mary Scheps Scott is an Associate who focuses her practice on commercial litigation matters. She also has experience in special assets, commercial debt collections, commercial foreclosures, construction lien law and bankruptcy law.
An Associate in the Firm’s Litigation Practice, Kristen L. Wenger has experience in class actions and complex commercial litigation involving insurance matters, deceptive business practices and consumer fraud. Some of her representative areas of practice include defense of class actions on behalf of insurers, business entities, and management for alleged improper business practices.