Seminars & Events

Smith, Gambrell & Russell regularly provides our valued clients with helpful information through briefings, seminars, interactive roundtables and panels.

Upcoming Seminars and Events

Southeast Bioenergy Conference

August 3-5, 2010
Tifton, Georgia

At the conference, SGR’s Jessica Lee Reece will be speaking on the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) - Implementing the Next Phase. SGR is also a sponsor of the event. For more information or to register for the event, click here.

Annual Executive Sustainability Roundtable

Business to Business is once again bringing together an expert panel of sustainability leaders from major companies in Atlanta to discuss the impact of sustainability to companies across the globe and its importance to their customers and their bottom line. Steve O’Day will moderate a panel of experts from Georgia-Pacific, InterfaceRAISE, Cox Enterprises and The Home Depot.

Date: August 18, 2010
Time: 7:30 - 9:45 a.m.
Place: Georgia - Pacific Auditorium, Atlanta, GA

For more information and to register, click here.

Smith, Gambrell & Russell is one of four sponsors for the Green Chamber of the South’s workshop Are you a green leader?

Thursday, August 26, 2010
11:30 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
The Club Room, Philips Arena

Looking for the path to green leadership? Join us in August to find it.

Krishna Avva, Master Storyteller of Avva Communications and Lewis Perkins, Sustainable Strategist, will take you through four simple steps to find and tell your green story. For more information and to register, click here.

Recent Developments in Labor and Employment, Employee Benefits and Immigration Law

SGR Webinar
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern

The Labor and Employment, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits and Immigration/Naturalization Groups of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP invite you to a complimentary, one-hour webinar presentation to update you on recent developments in employment, employee benefits and immigration law.

The presentation will cover the following topics:

Health Care Reform: Issuance of Grandfather Rules
City of Ontario v. Quon: How the Supreme Court’s Ruling Will Affect the Monitoring of Electronic Communications Systems
Updates to E-Verify Website
H-1B Cap Update
Wage and Hour Update, including IRS Briefing Section 530 on the Misclassification of Independent Contractors
Latest Developments in Labor and Employment Laws

**For PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification candidates, Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) recertification credit has been applied for. In addition, Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit has been applied for in the states of Florida and Georgia. **

REGISTER NOW

To register, click here.

You will receive a confirmation email with log-in instructions.

Please note there is also an audio-only option available for this program. If you wish to listen to the program by phone only, click on the link above to register, specifying audio only, and you will be supplied with a toll-free call-in number.

Recent Seminars

Jacksonville Workplace 2010: Avoiding Hazards, Moving Forward

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP invites you to our annual Workplace Seminar on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville Marriott located at 4670 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

Topics:
- Updates in Employment & Employee Benefits Law
- Obama Health Care Reform
- Employment Implications of Social Networking & Electronic Communications
- Wage & Hour Claims
- Equal Pay Disputes
- Immigration Compliance in an Era of Worksite Enforcement
- Reductions in Force & the Related Consequences
- Family & Medical Leave Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Union Developments

To register, click here.

Atlanta Workplace 2010: Avoiding Hazards, Moving Forward

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP invites you to our annual Workplace Seminar on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Cobb Galleria Centre located at Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339.

To register, click here.

This event has been approved for 4.1 hours Georgia CLE credit.

2010 Series of Interdisciplinary Educational Programs - Turnaround Management Association

David Minkin will be speaking at the 2010 Series of Interdisciplinary Educational Programs - Turnaround Management Association in Atlanta on April 27. For more information about the event, please click here.

Recent Developments in Employment, Employee Benefits and Immigration Law Webinar

Thursday, April 22, 2010
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern

The presentation will cover the following topics:

Impact of Obama Health Care Reform on Employers
H-1B Cap Update
The 409A Audits Are Coming: Are You Ready?
Social Networking in the Workplace
Employment Law Update 2010: Legislation, Audits, Case Update

For PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification candidates, Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) recertification credit has been applied for. In addition, Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit has been applied for in the states of Florida and Georgia.

REGISTER NOW

To register, click here.

You will receive a confirmation email with log-in instructions.

Steve O’Day Speaking at TAG Breakfast Series

Steve O’Day will moderate a panel at the Technology Association of Georgia’s Breakfast Series: Government Focus on Energy Efficiency, in partnership with the Green Chamber, on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. This program will focus on the economic, environmental and technology ramifications of the current energy debates in Congress and will discuss current Federal programs and a variety of funding mechanisms. The event will run from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. To register, please click here.

Protecting Your Wealth in an Uncertain Economy

SGR Webinar
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Eastern

The Estate Planning and Wealth Protection Group of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP invites you to join a complimentary, interactive, one-hour webinar presentation on three timely topics to help you preserve your wealth and transfer it to your heirs and beneficiaries.

CAN IT REALLY BE TRUE - NO ESTATE TAXES?

An experienced panel of attorneys will discuss the current state of affairs with the repeal of our estate tax regime, including how we got to this point, current proposals that may be adopted into legislation, who will be negatively impacted if Congress does not act and the changes you should consider making to your estate planning documents.

UNDERSTANDING UNIQUE WEALTH TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES TODAY

The panel will also discuss unique wealth transfer planning opportunities made available by the present law and economic environment.

ASSET PROTECTION PLANNING: WHAT EVERY CLIENT SHOULD KNOW

A growing trend in personal wealth planning is the use of certain techniques to protect personal assets. We will talk about why clients need to be aware of the utility of these techniques and how they may aid in the preservation of family wealth.

To view a PDF of the slides, click here.

To listen to the audio portion of the presentation, click here.

Building Green: Reduce the Risks; Reap the Rewards

This comprehensive program will feature strategies to minimize the risks and capture the benefits of building green, with a focus on:

Incentives and financial strategies that can help your organization realize its green building goals
Repositioning of existing buildings with green strategies, including operational cost savings through enhanced energy efficiency
Current trends in state and local green building laws, including the City of Atlanta’s green building ordinance

Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Seminar: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cocktail Reception: 5:00 p.m.

Westin Buckhead Atlanta
3391 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30326

To view the schedule, click here.

Cost

$175 (Before 1/15/10)
$200 (After 1/15/10)

To register, click here. Approved for Georgia CLE and AIA learning credits.

Annual Executive Sustainability Roundtable

Business to Business is once again bringing together an expert panel of sustainability leaders from major companies in Atlanta to discuss the impact of sustainability to companies across the globe and its importance to their customers and their bottom line. Steve O’Day will moderate a panel of experts from GE Energy, The Home Depot, Interface and The Coca-Cola Company.

Date: November 18, 2009
Time: 7:30 - 9:45 a.m.
Place: Georgia - Pacific Auditorium, Atlanta, GA

For more information and to register, click here.

Patenting Biotech Sequences: What’s Happened and What To Do Now Webinar

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM EST

Suzannah Sundby will be a panelist during the biotech webinar. For more information please click here.

The Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce Innovation Conference

Thursday, Nov. 12, 9-11:30 a.m.
Berry College Science Auditorium

This conference — which stems from the success of last November’s Spectrum of Technology Symposium — will feature information about alternative energy and so-called “angel investing.” The keynote address will be delivered by Jill Stuckey, director of the Center of Innovation for Energy.

Other expert panelists in alternative energy will include Florian Stamm of Smith, Gambrell & Russell and Stephen Barry of MiaSolé, a manufacturer of solar voltaic modules.

For more information, click here.

SGR Webinar: The Implementation of the Breach Notification Requirements Under HIPAA

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern

To assist our clients and other interested parties, SGR will be holding a free one-hour webinar on the implementation of the breach notification requirements under HIPAA on Wednesday, October 21st at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. To register, click here.

CareerEco Event for Green Professionals

Steve O’Day is speaking at the CareerEco Event for Green Professionals, Tuesday, October 27 from 7:00 - 9:00am in Midtown Atlanta. For more information and to register, click here. (Type CareerEcoMember in the Discount Box to receive 25% discount.)

GACC South, Atlanta

SGR attorney Laura Andrew will be on the panel at the GACC South Business Seminar entitled “ERISA Investigation and Other 401k Related Topics” on October 15, 2009. For more information and to register for the event, please click here.

5th Annual Southeastern M&A Forum

Smith, Gambrell & Russell is a sponsor of the 5th Annual Southeastern M&A Forum on September 16, 2009 at the Westin Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia. This one-day conference, presented by West Legalworks, will cover the current M&A market and the forecast for 2010, financing trends and developments in middle market LBO terms. For more information or to register, click here.

GreenBusiness Works EXPO — September 2-3, 2009, Atlanta, GA

GreenBusiness Works EXPO is Atlanta’s first comprehensive environmental EXPO, designed to provide hands-on education for corporations and municipalities about sustainability programs, services and products available to support their environmental stewardship efforts. This unique event will provide leaders from throughout the Southeast with real-world best practices essential to developing and executing a long-term, sustainable business strategy.

Attendees will learn from leading experts who have already practiced sustainability successfully through exclusive educational programs, networking opportunities, best practices, leading case studies, and products and services that support corporate and municipal environmental stewardship efforts and positively impact ROI. Additionally, participants may attend educational tracks on topics such as green cleaning that are applicable toward LEED certification.

SGR Partner Stephen O’Day is scheduled to speak on “Legal, Zoning and Other Impediments to Building Green” on September 3rd.

For more information and to register, click here.

REDI Church Series 2009 — Saturday, June 20, 2009

SGR will host and co-sponsor the second installment of a religious institutions seminar series entitled, “Places of Worship: Developing Adult and Child Day Care Facilities,” which will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at SGR’s Midtown Atlanta office. The Real Estate Development Institute Inc. (REDI) is also a co-sponsor.

This complimentary, half-day seminar will cover topics including site selection, entity consideration, licensing and employee issues, financing and operation of adult and child day care facilities. Seating is limited. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Janet Powell at 404.815.3500 or jpowell@sgrlaw.com. The registration deadline is Thursday, June 18.

REDI Church Series 2009 — Saturday, May 16, 2009

You are invited to the first installment of the REDI Church Series 2009, Senior Living Communities: Design, Development and Financing, Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Location:
Ray of Hope Christian Ministries
2778 Snapfinger Road
Decatur, Georgia 30034

Agenda:
- Land Planning and Building Design
- Financing Options During a Recession
- Senior Programming and Working with Local Governments

RSVP: Seminar is Free, but Seating Is Limited.
You must RSVP by no later than 5:00pm Thurs., May 14, 2009
Contact Janet Powell at (404) 815-3500 or jpowell@sgrlaw.com to RSVP.

Co-Sponsors:
- Real Estate Development Institute, Inc.
- Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
- Citizens Trust Bank

Jacksonville Workplace 2009 — May 14, 2009

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP invites you to a complimentary breakfast workshop presented by the Labor and Employment Practice Group at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. The workshop is Thursday, May 14, 2009 at the Jacksonville Marriott, 4670 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, Florida from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Registration and breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m.

Topics include:
- Important developments in labor, employment, and benefits
- Strategies to defend yourself against employment-related complaints

The workshop is designed for company Supervisors, Managers, Human Resource Professionals and General Counsel. Several SGR attorneys who practice labor and employment law will be part of the program and available to answer your questions.

National Business Institute Presents: Navigating Local Land Use Laws and Approval Processes — May 4, 2009

9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Cobb Galleria Centre
Two Galleria Parkway
Atlanta, GA

Tuition
$339 First Registrant
$329 Each Additional
$319 New Professionals
(3 or fewer years of professional work experience)

Attend this seminar to learn the ins and outs of land use ordinances, regulations and policies, as well as tricks of the trade to facilitate a smoother review and approval process. You’ll also explore the latest case law and procedures to appeal a project denial. SGR attorney Kathryn M. Zickert will speak on “Ethics in Land Use” and “Appealing the Local Land Use Decision.”

Land Use Ordinances, Plans, Policies and Legislation
Navigating the Maze of Land Use Application Procedures
Dealing With Natural Resource Regulations
Key Strategies for Working With the Government and Gaining Public Support for Your Project
Current Issues in Land Use Law
Ethics in Land Use
Appealing the Local Land Use Decision

Continuing Education Credits:
American Institute of Architects — AIA: 6.00
Continuing Legal Education — CLE: 6.00
Real Estate — Real Estate: 6.00

Issues Which Really Count for Clients in International Agency, Distribution and Franchising Agreements — May 1-2, 2009, Atlanta, GA

With the recession hitting the domestic economies of many countries, the need for businesses to look overseas is growing. This means that businesses and their lawyers must understand the issues which really count in international agency, distribution, and franchising agreements.

This seminar, sponsored by SGR and organized by the Union Internationale des Avocats Contract Law Commission in cooperation with the ABA Section of International Law, brings together experts from both sides of the Atlantic to cover the issues raised in these types of agreements which, if ignored, may be costly to businesses.

For more information and to register, click here.

Workplace 2009

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP invites you to our annual Workplace Seminar on the morning of Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at the Cobb Galleria Centre located at Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339.

Topics include:
- Changes and Developments in Employment Law
- Immigration Compliance
- Reductions in Force and the Related Consequences
- Family Medical Leave Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Union Developments

Corporate Sustainability: You can’t ignore it any longer!—April 22, 2009, Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Woman will address issues of global sustainability, including environmental, social, and economic. Consumers, investors and employees are demanding it. Businesses are responding to the green demand of their clients, and stockholders are insisting on a plan for corporate sustainability.

Experts include:

Moderator - Steve O’Day with Smith Gambrell Russell
Natedra Banks - Sr. Mgr. Environmental Innovation, Home Depot
Ken Strassner, VP, Global Environment, Safety, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs, Kimberly Clark
Kate Brass, Eco Imagination Program Director, GE
James Marlow, CEO, Radiance Solar
Lynnette Young, SustainabilityAtlanta.org

Individual seats are $45 and a table of ten is $350. Register online or to be a part of this vital conversation contact Barbara Staradumsky at 678-569-4888. For more information click here.

SGR Webinar: COBRA Subsidy with Updates on the New Required I-9 and Other Recent Employment-Related Legislation

Tuesday, March 17, 2009
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Eastern

To assist our clients and other interested parties, SGR will be holding a free one-hour webinar on the COBRA subsidy on Tuesday, March 17th at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. This webinar will also include a brief update on the new required I-9, and other recent employment-related legislation. To register, click here.

AIJA Conference — March 6 & 7, 2009, Atlanta, GA

Introduction to Civil Law M&A Practice for Common Law Practioners - Atlanta

SGR has had significant involvement in the planning of this seminar. Please join the Commission of Corporate Acquisitions and Joint Ventures for a Seminar in the capital of the southern United States - Atlanta, March 6-7, 2008 entitled “Introduction to Civil Law M&A Practice for Common Law Practioners.” The seminar will create an environment for constructive discourse between leading M&A lawyers from civil and common law jurisdictions. For more information click here.

Georgia Engineering Alliance Presents: Georgia’s Infrastructure and Environment Summit

Friday, March 6, 2009 8:30 am - 3:45 pm Georgia Freight Depot, Freight Room, Atlanta, GA

Steve O’Day will speak on the topic of “Environmental Regulations and the Stimulus Package” with Jim Ussery, PE, Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

For more information or to register, click here.

Webinar for January 28, 2009 - Business Expansion into Georgia

Several Smith, Gambrell & Russell attorneys will be speakers in three webinars as part of the Business Expansion into Georgia Webinar Series.

Florian Stamn
Part 1: Why Georgia, USA? Strategies for Structuring your Business in Georgia Live webinar
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009, 1pm-2:30pm EST

Anton Mertens
Part 2: Workforce & Your Canadian Personnel in Georgia, USA Live webinar
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009, 1pm-2:30pm EST

Brett Lockwood
Part 3: Partnering For Prosperity — Georgia’s Technology Landscape Live webinar
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009, 1pm-2:30pm EDT

Land Use and Growth in Georgia Conference — January 12 & 13, 2009, Atlanta, GA

Several of our attorneys will be participating in the Land Use and Growth in Georgia Conference in January of next year. The event will be held at the Intercontinental Buckhead Hotel. Kathryn M. Zickert, Program Co-Chair, will give an update on legislative changes at the state and federal level with an impact on land use; Scott D. Cahalan, Co-Presenter, will talk about “Incorporating Sustainability Programs and Green Building into Development”; and James P. Monacell, Co-Presenter, will present on “Creative and Effective Use of Public Funds in Reaching Land Use Goals”.

The agenda and complete program overview are here.

Click here for registration.

Regular tuition is $995 with a group rate of $845 each for two or more registrants from the same firm.

This program qualifies for 11.8 GA CLE credits including 1 ethics. GA Appraiser, Real Estate and AICP credits are pending. CLE credits in other states and other types of credits will be applied for upon request.

The 22nd Annual Aircraft Finance Conference — December 8-10, New York, NY

Smith, Gambrell & Russell is proudly a sponsor at the 22nd Annual Aircraft Finance Conference. Our own Howard E. Turner will be a moderator for the Manufacturers Global Outlook panel discussion. The panel with include:

Kostya Zolotosky, Managing Director — Capital Markets, Boeing Colin Stuart, VP Marketing, Airbus

The event will be held at the The Westin Times Square, December 8-10 in New York. For more information please go to www.iirusa.com/aircraft

Business to Business Executive Sustainability Roundtable — November 13, Atlanta, GA

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, with Business to Business, Georgia-Pacific, and GE Energy, is sponsoring a sustainability roundtable on November 13. Steve O’Day will be the moderator of the panel. The panel includes:

Kate Brass, GE Energy
Bill Frerking, Georgia-Pacific
Mike Mannheimer, Cox Enterprises
Scott Wicker, UPS

To RSVP for this exciting and informative event, please register online today at btobmagazine.com.

Group of 10 seats: $300
Individual seats: $35

Space is limited.