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 Executive Committee and on the Board of Directors.
In addition to leading the Firm’s International Arbitration and Cross-Border Disputes Practice, Mr. Smith is a member of the Firm’s German, Korea, International Law, and Litigation/Trial Practices. He represents businesses in their cross-border disputes with companies and foreign governments. He has over a decade of experience representing clients in international disputes, as well as arbitration agreement and award enforcement litigation matters in United States courts. Mr. Smith also has significant experience representing investors in disputes with governments relating to cross-border investments. His practice spans a variety of industries, including the renewable energy, pharmaceutical, intellectual property, automotive, nuclear power, insurance, oil and gas, and mining sectors.
International transactions and investment are the cornerstone of today’s global marketplace. Effective enforcement of business’ legal rights and obligations in these matters is critical. When disputes arise, international arbitration is the primary method to resolve them. Smith Gambrell’s International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Practice specializes in advising clients involved in cross-border business transactions and investment regarding the dispute resolution options available to them.
About the Atlanta International Arbitration Society
The Atlanta International Arbitration Society (“AtlAS”), is a non-profit organization that promotes the global business gateway of Atlanta as a preferred venue for international and domestic commercial arbitration, and supports related education and scholarship. AtlAS also promotes and encourages the use of arbitration and mediation to resolve international disputes, and seeks to foster cultural openness, hospitality, and innovation in cross-border dispute resolution. For more information, please visit: https://arbitrateatlanta.org/
About Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP 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, Smith Gambrell has 14 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville, FL; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Milan; Munich; New York; Southampton; Tampa, FL; and Washington, D.C.