ATLANTA (November 19, 2013) – Atlanta-based law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP (SGR) has added aviation and consulting services through a new affiliate – SGR Aviation Consulting, LLC. Under the leadership of new hire Steven A. Rossum, SGR Aviation Consulting will focus on advising airlines, other aviation businesses and companies with aviation clients, and on financial and business restructuring.
The global practice represents lessors, financiers, aircraft owners and airlines in their domestic and international aircraft transactions, including direct purchases, sales, and sale and leasebacks with various types of debt financing, and leveraged and operating leases. Manufacturers of specialized aircraft and aircraft parts and major aircraft lessors and financiers of flight equipment are also represented by the firm.
“Our Air Transport practice is one of the longest-standing aviation practices in the U.S., dating back to the 1920’s when SGR represented the predecessor to Eastern Airlines. In recent years, SGR has broadened its practice to reflect all aspects of the industry,” said Stephen Forte, SGR’s Managing Partner. “The consulting firm adds a new level of service to our offerings, and bench strength to an already strong team anchored by Howard Turner.”
SGR Aviation Consulting is led by Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Steven A. Rossum. He is a 25-year industry veteran with a wide range of expertise and executive experience. He joins SGR from his position as principal of NSB Aviation, a Florida-based consulting firm. For NSB, Rossum served as the Chief Restructuring Officer of Pinnacle Airlines Corp. He previously served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel of National Air Cargo Holdings and its domestic and international subsidiaries.
Prior to his work at National Air Cargo, Rossum served as Executive Vice President-Corporate Development of AirTran Airways from 2008 to 2011 and also as General Counsel and Secretary in 2010. He had been Vice President at AirTran from 1999-2001, serving as the airline’s Treasurer. He also provided consulting services to AirTran and Southwest on post-merger integration, legal, and corporate finance matters in 2012.
From 2001 to 2008, Rossum was the second ranking executive at Miami-based ASTAR Air Cargo and predecessor DHL Airways and served in a number of senior positions. Past industry experience also includes serving as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Reno Air at the time of its merger with American Airlines, and as Assistant General Counsel at both US Airways and World Airways.
Rossum previously practiced aviation and corporate law at Smith, Gambrell & Russell beginning in 1987. He also served as an adjunct professor of commercial law at Emory University School of Law in Atlanta. Currently, he serves as Adjunct Professor at the Barry University School of Law in Orlando, Florida. He received a juris doctorate degree from Emory University School of Law, with distinction, in 1987.
Smith, Gambrell & Russell 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 200 attorneys provide legal counsel in practice areas including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, construction and employment law. Founded in 1893, SGR has offices in Atlanta, Jacksonville, New York, Washington, D.C. and Frankfurt, Germany. Please visit www.sgrlaw.com for more information on the law firm.