Smith Gambrell Russell Welcomes Former City of Jacksonville Deputy General Counsel Lawsikia J. Hodges

ATLANTA (April 17, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Lawsikia J. Hodges has joined the Firm as Counsel in the Jacksonville office and a member of the Real Estate Group. Ms. Hodges will also be leading the Jacksonville office’s Governmental Affairs practice.

Ms. Hodges previously served as the Deputy General Counsel of the Government Operations Department for the City of Jacksonville, where she provided government operations and transactional counsel to the mayor’s office, the 19 member Jacksonville City Council, executive branch department directors and chiefs, constitutional officers, independent authorities, and City boards and commissions.

“We are pleased to welcome Lawsikia to SGR and salute her many years of public service to the City of Jacksonville,” said Steven E. Brust, Managing Partner of the Jacksonville office. “Her experience in city, county, and local government will be a valuable resource to our clients.”

While in her role with the City of Jacksonville, Ms. Hodges served as lead counsel to various independent authorities and City boards and commissions, including: the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT), JEA, Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA), Jacksonville Housing Finance Authority (JHFA), Police and Fire Pension Board of Trustees (PFPF), Research Development Authority (RDA), Downtown Investment Authority (DIA), Tourist Development Council (TDC), Public Service Grant Council, Kids Hope Alliance (KHA), and Jacksonville Housing and Community Development Commission (JHCDC).

“I am honored to join such a reputable and outstanding law firm and continue my government law and transactional practice, representing both public and private sector clients,” said Ms. Hodges.

Ms. Hodges was also previously a business law associate at Foley & Lardner LLP where she represented various private lenders and developers in complex commercial real estate and finance transactions. She graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, with honors and earned her bachelor's degree from the University of North Florida, with honors.

Ms. Hodges is a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in City, County and Local Government Law and the vice chair of the Florida Bar City, County and Local Government Certification Committee.  Ms. Hodges is an AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rated™ attorney and was recognized by her peers as a top government attorney in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite.  She is also a Leadership Jacksonville graduate.

About Smith Gambrell Russell
SGR is a full-service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The Firm’s nearly 350 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 50 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance/reinsurance, construction, employment law, international, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, SGR has 14 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville, FL; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Munich; New York; Southampton; Springfield, IL; Tampa, FL; and Washington, D.C.

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