Six Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP Attorneys Recognized on “IAM Patent 1000” List of World’s Leading Patent Professionals of 2026; Firm Recognized as “Gold” Patent Prosecution[...]

ATLANTA (June 3, 2026) - Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP ("SGR") is pleased to announce that six attorneys have been recognized on the IAM Patent 1000 List of World's Leading Patent Professionals of 2026. Gregory J. Kirsch, Jeffrey R. Kuester, William F. Long, John L. North, Michael J. Riesen, and Matthew P. Warenzak were recognized for their patent work in the state of Georgia. In addition, the firm has been recognized in the "Gold" tier for patent prosecution in Georgia - a distinction that reflects the depth and quality of SGR's patent practice.

The IAM Patent 1000, published by the "Intellectual Asset Management" (IAM) division of Law Business Research Ltd. of London, UK, shines a spotlight on the firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in the pivotal area of patent law. IAM undertakes exhaustive qualitative research, identifying top firms and individuals based on their depth of expertise, market presence, and sophistication of work. SGR's IAM Patent 1000 profile may be found here.

Mr. Kirsch is a Partner and the Head of Smith Gambrell's Intellectual Property Practice. IAM noted the following comment from one of his clients: "Gregory has outstanding experience and insight into both US and global patent procedures. His astute management streamlines the process while securing enduring success on the international stage." Mr. Kirsch's practice encompasses the entire range of patent law, including patent procurement, strategic patent portfolio development, patent opinions, post grant proceedings, licensing, as well as patent litigation. In addition to his full-time legal practice, he serves as an adjunct professor of patent/IP law at both Emory University School of Law (Atlanta) and Washington University School of Law (St. Louis).

Mr. Kuester is a Partner in the Intellectual Property practice. He focuses on all aspects of intellectual property law, including litigation, patent preparation and prosecution, and counseling. IAM recognizes him as "an IP all-rounder who stands out for his perceptive strategies and expert management of large portfolios." Mr. Kuester's leadership extends beyond his full-time practice, and he has served as an adjunct professor at Georgia State University College of Law, where he also held key advisory roles.

Mr. Long is a Partner in the Intellectual Property Practice. IAM describes him as a "trusted disputes partner with extensive trial and arbitration experience across patent, copyright and trade secret matters." In patent disputes, Mr. Long has served as lead counsel in matters involving a wide range of intellectual property and technology issues, including patent and trade secret disputes involving computer software and hardware, pharmaceutical products (including Hatch-Waxman cases), chemicals, medical devices, industrial machines, and consumer products.

Mr. North is a Partner in the Intellectual Property Practice. He focuses his practice on intellectual property litigation, handling complex disputes involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and unfair competition. He also advises clients on patent licensing, portfolio strategy, pre-litigation counseling, and inter partes review. His litigation experience spans all major IP courts in the United States and extends globally to clients in Australia, Taiwan, Israel, and Western Europe. IAM notes that, as an accomplished litigator, he is trusted by corporations to protect their patent assets in complex disputes.

Mr. Riesen is a Partner in the Entertainment and Intellectual Property practices and serves as Executive Director of SGR Labs. A U.S. patent attorney and U.K. Solicitor (England and Wales), he counsels clients on developing, protecting, commercializing, and defending intellectual property and technology assets across jurisdictions. IAM highlights his work co-leading SGR Labs' interdisciplinary focus on software implementation, analytics and automation, and notes his recent guidance on AI-related inventions covering patentability, copyright and trade secret strategy.

Mr. Warenzak is a Partner in the Intellectual Property Practice, with a focus on patent and trademark matters from both the procurement and enforcement perspective. His practice includes enforcing clients' patent rights, representing clients in post-grant review proceedings before the United States Patent Trial and Appeal Board, prosecuting applications to obtain patents, and providing counsel on patent portfolio management. IAM also notes his additional depth across software and mechanical patent prosecution, complementing his experience in trademark and copyright matters. He serves as an adjunct professor of patent law at the University of Georgia School of Law.

With more than 50 intellectual property professionals practicing law in eight cities - Atlanta, Chicago, Jacksonville, London, Los Angeles, New York, Tampa, and Washington, D.C., - Smith, Gambrell & Russell offers a full range of intellectual property services, including patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret protection and handles high-stakes intellectual property litigation. Working with lawyers from SGR's corporate practice, the group also routinely handles commercial transactions involving the licensing, acquisition or sale of intellectual property. Learn more about the Intellectual Property practice here: https://www.sgrlaw.com/practices/ip/

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 more than 400 professionals 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 15 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Houston; Jacksonville; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Milan; Munich; New York; Southampton; Tampa; and Washington, D.C.