Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP Welcomes Litigation Partner Sam Mitchell to Chicago Office

CHICAGO (March 12, 2026) - Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP ("SGR") is pleased to announce that Sam Mitchell has joined the firm as a partner in its Litigation Practice, based in the Chicago office. Mitchell joins SGR from Husch Blackwell, where he represented clients in complex commercial and employment disputes and advised businesses on the evolving legal risks surrounding artificial intelligence (AI).

"Sam is a talented trial lawyer with a strong record handling complex disputes for businesses," said Steven D. Pearson, SGR's firmwide Litigation Department head. "He brings deep experience in commercial and employment litigation and has also been developing a thoughtful practice around AI governance and related litigation risks. His ability to help clients navigate both traditional business disputes and emerging legal issues will be a great asset to our litigation team and to the clients we serve."

Mitchell is a seasoned litigator who represents clients in high-stakes commercial disputes, employment litigation, and appeals. His experience includes matters involving business torts, breach of contract, class and collective actions, fraud, trade secret misappropriation, restrictive covenant violations, and executive and workplace disputes. He has represented clients across industries including healthcare, higher education, real estate, manufacturing, financial services, automotive, transportation, and religious institutions, and has appeared in state and federal courts and administrative agencies nationwide.

Mitchell also advises companies on the governance and risk management challenges associated with artificial intelligence, including liability exposure, employment-related algorithmic decision-making, contractual allocation of AI-related risk, and emerging regulatory frameworks. He writes and speaks on emerging legal issues involving AI and its impact on business and employment practices.

"Smith, Gambrell & Russell has a strong litigation platform and a collaborative culture that made joining the firm especially compelling," said Mitchell. "I'm excited to continue building my commercial and employment litigation practice while expanding my work advising clients on the legal and governance challenges surrounding artificial intelligence."

Mitchell earned his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he served as managing editor of the Wisconsin Law Review. He received his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. He is admitted to practice in Illinois and Wisconsin, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and multiple federal district courts.

With more than 200 litigators, Smith, Gambrell & Russell's Litigation/Trial Practice brings bench strength and deep experience to virtually any client dispute. Learn more here: https://www.sgrlaw.com/practices/litigation-trial-practice/.

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.