ATLANTA (February 19, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that the Firm has been named one of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Companies to Work For: Law Firms”, 2025. “We are proud to once again be recognized as one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms to Work For,” said Stephen M. Forte, Smith Gambrell’s managing partner and chair of the executive committee. “Our people are the reason for our success. Our collaborative and supportive environment brings out the best in each of us. We work across all offices and all levels… Read more

ATLANTA (February 13, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that Intellectual Property Partners James Bikoff, Jason Blair, Bruce McDonald and Scott Woldow have been recognized on the World Trademark Review 1000 list (WTR 1000) of the world’s leading trademark professionals of 2025. Mr. Bikoff is recognized as a “Recommended Individual” nationally and in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Mr. Blair is recognized as a “Recommended Individual” in Texas and the Washington, D.C. metro area; and Mr. McDonald and Mr. Woldow are recognized as “Recommended Individuals” in the D.C. metro area. Smith Gambrell once again received… Read more

ATLANTA (January 31, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that Counsel and Head of the International Arbitration and Cross-Border Disputes Practice Christopher Smith has been selected to serve as President of the Atlanta International Arbitration Society (“AtlAS”) in 2026. In 2025, he will serve as President-Elect, and maintain the position of Secretary of the corporation. Mr. Smith has served in several AtlAS leadership positions. In January 2024, he was elected to the position of Secretary. He served as Vice President from May 2022 to January 2024. Since May 2022, Mr. Smith has been on the organization’s… Read more

LONDON, U.K. (January 16, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of William Cusack to the Firm’s London office. Mr. Cusack joins Smith Gambrell from Milbank LLP’s London office where he was a member of the Transportation and Space specializing in asset finance transactions. Mr. Cusack is a Senior Associate in the Corporate Practice and a member of the Firm’s Global Transport Practice. He is an experienced asset finance and leasing lawyer specializing in the aviation sector. He advises financial institutions, aircraft lessors and airlines on complex cross-border transactions. His practice encompasses a wide… Read more

CHICAGO (January 14, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court ruled in favor of Smith Gambrell client, Mu Sigma Inc. and related entities, concerning application of principles of res judicata involving a prior, voluntary withdrawal of claims in India. Mu Sigma asserts in a suit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois that three former employees formed a competing business, The Math Company, and, in doing so, engaged in significant misconduct including violation of contractual restrictive covenants and misappropriation of proprietary information. The circuit court dismissed… Read more

Milan, Italy (January 13, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP is pleased to announce the launch of its Italian Practice with the arrival of Nicola Fiordalisi and Martin Guizzardi to the firm’s newly established Milan office. Smith Gambrell has a long-standing, notable International Law Practice that excels at assisting business clients based outside the U.S. in a wide array of domestic legal matters. The firm also works with foreign companies to establish and maintain U.S. operations, and counsels domestic entities seeking to expand their operations internationally. Smith Gambrell’s Italian Practice includes lawyers with deep experience across more than 50… Read more

ATLANTA (January 10, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Tina Wills has been named a 2024 Women in Law: Leaders Leaning In honoree by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. The annual list, compiled by nominations submitted to Law Bulletin Media, recognizes the “incredible women” practicing law in Illinois. In 2023, Ms. Wills was also recognized by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s 40 Under 40 list. “Tina is an exceptional attorney and her breadth of knowledge, her expertise and tenacity has been instrumental in achieving favorable outcomes,” said one nominator. Ms. Wills is a… Read more

ATLANTA (January 2, 2025) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce the election of Alexander Brock, Cassie Daum, Nicole Kalkines, Jacob Obande, Morgan Manley, Melissa Salsano, Rachel Thomasen and Stephen Youngblood to its partnership effective January 1, 2025. “We proudly welcome Alex, Cassie, Nicole, Jacob, Morgan, Melissa, Rachel and Stephen to our partnership,” said Stephen M. Forte, Smith Gambrell’s chairman and managing partner. “These fine lawyers ensure capable succession in key practice areas and we look forward to their continued positive impact on our clients and the firm.” Mr. Brock is a partner in the Zoning, Planning and… Read more

ATLANTA (December 16, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that the Firm advised CHG-Meridian in the successful acquisition of the leasing business of Meridian Group International, Inc., a leading provider of managed services for cloud, infrastructure, and IT security. The CHG-MERIDIAN Group is a leading global technology2use company in the IT, industrial, and healthcare sectors with more than 1,400 employees worldwide. The company develops, finances, and manages customized technology solutions based on the principle of usage over ownership. This acquisition expands the group’s U.S. presence. “We are proud to have worked on the transaction to… Read more

ATLANTA (December 2, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is pleased to announce that Partners Gregory Kirsch and Gregory Smith have been recognized as Georgia Trend magazine’s 2024 Legal Elite. The Legal Elite, which has been recognizing lawyers for more than two decades, is a list of Georgia’s top attorneys in the state selected from 15 different practice areas, as nominated and chosen by their peers. Mr. Kirsch was recognized in Intellectual Law and Mr. Smith in Real Estate/Construction Law. Gregory J. Kirsch is a Partner and the Head of the Intellectual Property Practice. Mr. Kirsch serves as patent counsel… Read more