ATLANTA (March 15, 2022) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that effective April 1, 2022, the firm will open its ninth U.S. office, located in Chicago, Illinois, as a result of its combination with the business litigation law firm of Figliulo & Silverman, P.C. (F+S) The combination expands SGR’s existing Litigation Practice and creates exciting opportunities to expand its services in the Chicago market.
Figliulo & Silverman is a top-tier business litigation firm in the Chicago area. During its 25-year history, F+S has developed an outstanding track record of successfully representing its clients in jury and bench trials and appeals in federal and state courts. In addition to business and real estate related litigation, its litigation experience includes disputes involving construction, bankruptcy, employment, insurance coverage, eminent domain, legal and accounting malpractice, partnership issues, and securities.
The lawyers with F+S have been very active in leadership roles individually and in professional organizations to promote excellence and respect among the bench and bar. F+S is rated among the best law firms in Illinois and nationally in the area of business litigation. The firm’s attorneys have been recognized for their excellence by Best Lawyers in America, Leading Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and by many professional organizations serving the legal profession.
“SGR is excited to announce our combination with Figliulo & Silverman in Chicago,” said Stephen Forte, SGR’s chairman and managing partner. “SGR had been looking for the right opportunity to open an office in this high value market. We are fortunate to be able to partner with a highly regarded law firm led by Jim Figliulo and Pete Silverman, two stellar litigators, to achieve this milestone. F+S is a well-known Chicago firm with similar vision, values, and culture, and a team of quality attorneys that will expand the firm’s litigation capabilities and present growth opportunities for our aviation, international, and transactional practices.”
Jim Figliulo, a Figliulo & Silverman founding partner added, “We founded F+S 25 years ago, and have truly enjoyed working with and representing our clients and building our practice. SGR is a full-service international firm with a stellar reputation which it has developed since it was founded in Atlanta in 1893. Combining with SGR adds talent and resources to our Chicago practice and dramatically expands the services we can offer as we start the next chapter. We are thrilled to combine with SGR and look forward to making its new Chicago practice group an integral part of this outstanding firm.”
“SGR has an international footprint, and U.S offices in major cities that did not yet include Chicago,” said Pete Silverman, a Figliulo & Silverman founding partner. “The timing was right, and the synergies between the two firms made the combination a natural fit. We are excited to be joining such a well-respected firm and distinguished group of lawyers.”
SGR has continued its strategic growth within the U.S. and internationally with expansions through multiple firm combinations, additional practices, strategic hires, and the openings of four new offices over the last several years. Most recently in Atlanta, SGR combined with Rogers & Hardin, one of Atlanta’s premier law firms, which expanded the Litigation, Corporate and Securities practices.
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 270 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 45 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, construction, employment law, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, SGR has offices in Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Jacksonville, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Southampton, and Washington, D.C.