Best Lawyers logo
  • Lawyers
  • Methodology
  • NEW! Ones to Watch
  • Partnerships
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Log In
  • Lawyers
    • Advanced Search
    • COVID-19 Assistance
    • Featured Ones to Watch
    • Lawyer of the Year
    • Highlighted Lawyers
    • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Methodology
    • Overview
    • Ones to Watch
    • Editorial Timelines
    • Practice Areas
    • Publicizing Guidelines
    • FAQ
  • Publications
    • Family Law
    • New York Area
    • Canada
    • South Florida
    • Southern California
    • Northern California
    • Tampa
    • Midwest
  • Legal Insights
    • Featured Articles
    • In the News
    • Advisory Board
    • Meet the Board
    • Press & Events
  • About
    • Global Presence
    • Company History
    • Leadership
  • Ones to Watch
  • Partnerships
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Log In Log In
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Log In

Lawyer Profile

Image of Stephen M. Forte

Stephen M. Forte

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
Best Lawyers Advisory Board Member
  • Recognized Since:
    2007
  • Recognized in:
    Commercial Litigation
    Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Website:
    http://www.sgrlaw.com
  • Location:
    Promenade, Suite 3100
    1230 Peachtree Street, NE
    Atlanta, GA 30309

In his role as Managing Partner and Chairman, Steve functions as the Chief Executive Officer of SGR, in charge of its day-to-day operations, while overseeing the strategic growth and direction of the firm.  He is also responsible for cultivating strong relationships with firm clients by understanding their business needs and assisting with practice strategies and solutions to fulfill those needs.

Steve was elected to the firm’s Executive Committee in 1992 and two years later was elected by the partnership as Managing Partner and Chairman of the firm’s Executive Committee.  During his tenure as Managing Partner and Chairman, Steve has been instrumental in the opening and continued growth of 7 offices outside the firm’s Atlanta headquarters, including three international offices.  During this time, SGR has steadily advanced in the AmLaw 200 and as a most recommended law firm by peers and corporate counsel alike.  Steve served in other leadership positions within the firm prior to his election as Managing Partner.  He was head of the Litigation Department for two years and chaired the Professional Recruitment Committee.  As a visionary leader, he has always been active with the professional development of young attorneys and coaching senior lawyers and partners on client service, and practice planning.

With more than 35 years of legal experience, Steve has maintained an active litigation practice in addition to his leadership responsibilities.  Over the course of his career, Steve’s trial practice has been broad based.  Clients have sought his judgment and experience in almost every type of business dispute.  He has also functioned as outside general counsel to long-standing firm clients such as the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.  Much of his trial work has been focused on high stakes class action defense and nationwide complex litigation in the representation of financial institutions and clients in the telecommunications and transportation industries.

Steve was recognized five consecutive years in Chambers USA as one of the outstanding commercial litigators in the country and was described as a “dynamic trial attorney” by Chambers.  He has been selected for more than a decade in Georgia Super Lawyers and consistently noted in Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation.  He now serves on the Advisory Board of Best Lawyers.  Steve also serves on the Board of Directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Central Atlanta Progress.  He is a frequent lecturer to the International Bar on matters involving the legal industry and he frequently consults with clients and others in the business community on leadership and business strategy.

Continue Reading
  • Lawyer Bio
  • Client Comments
  • Firm Details

Lawyer Bio

In his role as Managing Partner and Chairman, Steve functions as the Chief Executive Officer of SGR, in charge of its day-to-day operations, while overseeing the strategic growth and direction of the firm.  He is also responsible for cultivating strong relationships with firm clients by understanding their business needs and assisting with practice strategies and solutions to fulfill those needs.

Steve was elected to the firm’s Executive Committee in 1992 and two years later was elected by the partnership as Managing Partner and Chairman of the firm’s Executive Committee.  During his tenure as Managing Partner and Chairman, Steve has been instrumental in the opening and continued growth of 7 offices outside the firm’s Atlanta headquarters, including three international offices.  During this time, SGR has steadily advanced in the AmLaw 200 and as a most recommended law firm by peers and corporate counsel alike.  Steve served in other leadership positions within the firm prior to his election as Managing Partner.  He was head of the Litigation Department for two years and chaired the Professional Recruitment Committee.  As a visionary leader, he has always been active with the professional development of young attorneys and coaching senior lawyers and partners on client service, and practice planning.

With more than 35 years of legal experience, Steve has maintained an active litigation practice in addition to his leadership responsibilities.  Over the course of his career, Steve’s trial practice has been broad based.  Clients have sought his judgment and experience in almost every type of business dispute.  He has also functioned as outside general counsel to long-standing firm clients such as the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.  Much of his trial work has been focused on high stakes class action defense and nationwide complex litigation in the representation of financial institutions and clients in the telecommunications and transportation industries.

Steve was recognized five consecutive years in Chambers USA as one of the outstanding commercial litigators in the country and was described as a “dynamic trial attorney” by Chambers.  He has been selected for more than a decade in Georgia Super Lawyers and consistently noted in Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation.  He now serves on the Advisory Board of Best Lawyers.  Steve also serves on the Board of Directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Central Atlanta Progress.  He is a frequent lecturer to the International Bar on matters involving the legal industry and he frequently consults with clients and others in the business community on leadership and business strategy.

Read more on firm website
  • Education
  • Bar & Court Admissions
  • Affiliations
  • Award List

Education:

  • Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, Undergraduate

Bar Admissions:

  • Georgia, Georgia Bar Association
  • New York, New York State Bar Association
 

Court Admissions:

  • United States Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. Circuit Courts
  • Federal District Courts

Affiliations:

  • Atlanta Legal Aid Society - Member
  • Central Atlanta Progress - Board
  • International Bar Association - Member
  • Lawyers Foundation of Georgia - Member
  • Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber of Commerce - Board of Directors
  • National Diocesan Attorneys Association - Member

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
 

Lawyer Client Comments

Firm Details

Image for Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP View Firm Profile
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
http://www.sgrlaw.com
 
Headquarters
Promenade, Suite 3100
1230 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 815.3500
10 Office Locations
in 3 Countries

Germany

Germany

Munich, Germany

Promenadeplatz 12

Munich 80333

Germany

49 89 244 1347 0

Get Directions

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

4 Lombard Street

London EC3V 9HD

United Kingdom

44 20 7084 9240

Get Directions

Southampton, United Kingdom

The Gallery

King’s Somborne

Hampshire

Southampton SO20 6PH

United Kingdom

44 20 7084 9240

Get Directions

United States

United States

California

California

Los Angeles, CA

444 South Flower Street, Suite 1700

Los Angeles, CA 90071

United States

(213) 358.7242

Get Directions

District of Columbia

District of Columbia

Washington, DC

1055 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW, Suite 400

Washington, DC 20007

United States

(202) 263.4300

Get Directions

Florida

Florida

Jacksonville, FL

Bank of America Tower, Suite 2600

50 North Laura Street

Jacksonville, FL 32202

United States

(904) 598.6100

Get Directions

Miami, FL

Wells Fargo Center, Suite 2000

333 Southeast Second Avenue

Miami, FL 33131

United States

(786) 522.2550

Get Directions

New York

New York

New York, NY

1301 Avenue of the Americas, 21st Floor

New York, NY 10019

United States

(212) 907.9700

Get Directions

Texas

Texas

Austin, TX

500 West 2nd Street, Suite 1900

Austin, TX 78701

United States

(512) 498.7617

Get Directions

 
Add Comment
In making your comments, please do not refer to a pending legal matter.
(*) Required Fields
There was an error during saving, please try again.
If you continue to get this message, please contact us at info@bestlawyers.com or 803.648.0300 for assistance.
Please complete the captcha then submit.
Your comment was saved successfully!
Thank you for your feedback.
  • Find a Lawyer
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Legal Insights
  • Contact Us
Lawyers 
  • Advanced Search
  • COVID-19 Assistance
  • Featured Ones to Watch
  • Lawyer of the Year
  • Highlighted Lawyers
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Find a Lawyer
Methodology
  • Overview
  • Ones to Watch
  • Editorial Timelines
  • Practice Areas
  • Publicizing Guidelines
  • FAQ
Publications
  • Business Editions
  • Regional Editions
  • Partnerships
  • Become a Contributor
Legal Insights
  • Featured Articles
  • In the News
  • Advisory Board
  • Meet the Board
  • Press & Events
  • Best Law Firms
  • Subscribe
About
  • Global Presence
  • Company History
  • Leadership
  • Founders
  • Press Releases
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
My Account
  • Log In
  • Store
  • Marketing Guidance
Best Lawyers Best Lawyers logo +1-803-648-0300
801 Broad Street, Suite 950 Augusta, GA 30901
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Lawyer Directory
  • Best Law Firms

© 2010-2021 Best Lawyers — All Rights Reserved.

BL Icon

LEGAL INSIGHTS

by Best Lawyers®



Get the latest insights on the news, trends, and people that shape the global legal field with our weekly email digest.

Please enter a valid email address.

You have already subscribed.





PRIVACY POLICY

Thank you for subscribing.