ATLANTA (April 26, 2024) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce its continued strategic growth with the arrival of four attorneys to the Firm’s New York office.
Through a combination with H. Roske & Associates LLP, Henry Roske joins the Firm as partner and Moritz Masberg joins as Counsel in the Corporate and German Practice Groups. They are joined separately by partner Shane O’Neill, and Counsel Deborah Korman, who joins SGR from Ingram LLP as New York-based members of the Real Estate Group.
“As we continue our strategic growth, we are focusing our efforts both domestically and internationally,” said Stephen M. Forte, SGR’s managing partner and chair of the executive committee. “Our German Practice has long been highly regarded, and the combination with H. Roske & Associates LLP is a direct result of the group’s reputation and high-quality client relationships. At the same time, the continued growth of our New York office and Real Estate Practice are priorities, and these arrivals also address those needs. We welcome Henry, Moritz, Shane and Deborah to SGR.”
SGR has expanded strategically in recent years through multiple firm combinations, the addition of new practices, strategic hires, and the openings of five new offices. SGR combined with ABL Law earlier this year, following combinations with Freeborn & Peters LLP in 2023, and Figliulo & Silverman in 2022.
H. Roske & Associates LLP, provided practical, cost-effective legal guidance in German, assisting clients from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in company formations, product liability, contractual risk management, corporate governance, visa and work permits, trademark protection and employment matters, among others.
“The combination adds significantly to our international presence in New York and gives Roske legacy clients access to a broad range of additional services in legal specialty areas,” said Hans-Michael Kraus, SGR’s International Practice Group Head and Leader of the German Desk.
Prior to joining SGR, Roske was the Managing Partner at H. Roske & Associates LLP, serving as trusted legal counsel for German-speaking companies in the United States, situated in the heart of New York City. He is a frequent speaker on transatlantic legal topics and serves as Officer and Director on many company boards.
Masberg represents European clients in corporate and commercial law matters, with a particular focus on setting up U.S. subsidiaries and transatlantic joint ventures. He specializes in assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) entering the U.S. market, providing targeted advice to a wide variety of businesses, including those in the automotive, machinery, fashion, food and beverages, logistics, chemical, healthcare, cosmetics, software, and defense industries.
O’Neill’s primary emphasis is on commercial leasing, devoting a significant portion of his practice to representing landlords and tenants nationwide. His expertise extends to high-value transactions, having facilitated the purchase and sale of various real estate assets totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Prior to joining SGR, he was a partner at Ingram LLP.
Korman specializes in various facets of real estate law, offering comprehensive counsel on acquisitions, dispositions, financing, and leasing of commercial properties. Prior to joining SGR, she was an attorney at Ingram LLP.
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 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, SGR has 14 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville, FL; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Munich; New York; Southampton; Springfield, IL; Tampa, FL; and Washington, D.C.