ATLANTA (December 14, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the Firm served as legal counsel to Sipcam Agro USA, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Italy-based Sipcam Oxon Group, in its acquisition of Odom Industries. The acquired assets include more than 320,000 square feet of production and warehousing capability on 40 acres in Mississippi. Odom Industries will now operate as Sipcam Agro Solutions, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sipcam Agro USA, Inc. Through the acquisition, Sipcam Agro will be fully integrated from synthesis, through formulation and packaging, and to the end use product…. Read more

ATLANTA (December 6, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the latest expansion of its Intellectual Property (IP) Practice in the Atlanta office with the addition of Coulter ‘Coby’ Henry as a patent attorney and Jerry Liu as a patent technical advisor. Gregory J. Kirsch, partner and head of the SGR IP Department, expressed his enthusiasm for the new additions, saying, “We are pleased to welcome both Coby and Jerry to the Atlanta Intellectual Property Practice. Their wealth of patent experience and technical expertise will undoubtedly enhance our patent law capabilities and strengthen our commitment… Read more

ATLANTA (November 27, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the Firm served as legal counsel to Utility Associates, Inc., a frontline professional digital systems provider, in a majority investment funding agreement with Greater Sum Ventures (GSV), an entrepreneurial family office and growth equity firm. The funding from GSV will provide additional capital that will be used to increase Utility’s investment in innovation and help further accelerate its growth. Founded in 2000, Utility delivers digital systems for public agencies that depend on speed, accuracy, transparency, and easy-to-access data. The Decatur, Georgia-based company meets the… Read more

ATLANTA (November 2, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that the Firm has again been named to the 2024 Best Lawyers® list of Best Law Firms® ranked nationally and in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Tampa, and Washington, D.C., including 53 “Tier 1” rankings. For this 14th Edition, SGR has been honored with elevated tier status and additional recognition in several practice areas. The 2024 rankings are based on Best Law Firms’ proven methodology that relies on qualitative and quantitative data on legal skillset, achievements, and client successes collected… Read more

ATLANTA (November 2, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that partners Edward “Jack” Hardin, Stephen M. Forte, and Justice Leah Ward Sears have been recognized in Georgia Trend’s second edition of the “Georgia 500,” a list of Georgia’s most influential leaders of 2023, in the Professional Services category. SGR is the only law firm to have three honorees included on the list. Distinguishing this list from other Georgia Trend superlative categories, the Georgia 500 focuses on the leaders in economic development and local investment who are driving Georgia’s growth. Steve Forte is SGR’s managing… Read more

ATLANTA (November 1, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Peter Rho has joined the Firm as partner in the Los Angeles office and as head of the Korea Practice. Most recently, Mr. Rho was a shareholder with Buchalter where he was a member of the Corporate Practice and chair of the Korea Practice. According to Patrick Cain, managing partner of SGR’s Los Angeles office, “Peter helps deepen SGR’s corporate expertise in Los Angeles, and he also will be instrumental in building our Korea Practice across the Firm. That he is personally engaging and… Read more

ATLANTA (October 26, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that New York Partner Dana Mark has been recognized with the John P. Cooney, Jr. Award for Mentorship and Community Involvement from the Inner-City Scholarship Fund (Inner-City). Ms. Mark was presented with the award in recognition of her involvement with New York’s St. Jean Baptiste High School, as an alumna and a member of its board of trustees, along with her success in the legal profession. Ms. Mark’s John P. Cooney, Jr. Award for Mentorship and Community Involvement was presented during the 34th Annual Saint… Read more

ATLANTA (October 25, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Partner Erin McAdams Franzblau has been installed as president-elect of the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (FBA) for the 2023-2024 term. Ms. McAdams Franzblau was elected and installed during the annual meeting of the Federal Bar Association’s Chicago Chapter on October 25. She was most recently Chicago Chapter vice president and has also previously served as treasurer, executive board member, and programming committee co-chair. Ms. McAdams Franzblau is a partner in SGR’s Litigation Practice. She litigates employment matters, counsels employers on nearly… Read more

ATLANTA (October 23, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the eight firm Intellectual Property attorneys who have been appointed to International Trademark Association (INTA) committees for the 2024-2025 term. INTA appoints committee volunteers to carry out trademark-related initiatives and programs. Committee members fulfill their responsibilities by promptly and thoughtfully completing their committee’s mission statement. The following SGR Intellectual Property Practice attorneys will begin service to their respective committees beginning January 1, 2024: James Bikoff, a partner in SGR’s Washington, D.C. office, has been selected to serve as a member of the Legislation and Regulation… Read more

ATLANTA (October 20, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that New York attorney Victor M. Metsch has received the NYS Courts Office for Justice Initiatives’ Access to Justice Pro Bono Award for his outstanding work and dedicated service in the Civil Court Volunteer Lawyer Project. Mr. Metsch was presented with his award during a ceremony on October 19 held in celebration of National Pro Bono Week. As a member of SGR’s Litigation Department, Victor Metsch focuses primarily in the area of commercial dispute resolution, which includes arbitration, mediation, appeals work, and litigation in the Federal, State and… Read more