2023 Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite Announced

Each year, Georgia Trend seeks to feature the state’s top attorneys. They ask those who know them best – their legal peers – to submit nominations and from their nominations a list is compiled of the Legal Elite. This year marks 21 years lawyers have been recognized from all over the state who are considered the best in their field.

This year, SM&P’s Associate Marlys A. Bergstrom and Senior Associate Anne Thompson de Magaña are receiving the honors.

Marlys has been a member of the SM&P team for more than two years and was honored to receive the recognition from her peers. “I’m proud to be selected in the company of so many great lawyers, many of whom I have looked up to and learned from over the years,” said Marlys. “We are a team and everyone at the Firm all contributed to help make this possible.”

To four-time recipient of the honor, Anne, she is flattered, honored and a little overwhelmed with gratitude. “It’s easy to feel like you’re in a vacuum when working in this profession, and it’s also easy to feel, at times, like the only feedback you get is negative with very little appreciation for the positive. Receiving honors like this means more to me than words can say,” Anne added.

According to Mary Montgomery, founder and managing partner, she is proud of our awardees. “Both of these ladies have made a commitment to their profession and serving their clients,” Mary said. “We are fortunate to have them on our team. This is a great accomplishment.”

Georgia Legal Elite received nominations from almost 2,000 attorneys representing 16 practice areas from all regions of the state. Those receiving the most votes are listed in the December 2023 issue of Georgia Trend Magazine in the categories in which their fellow attorneys chose them, although some may practice in more than one area.

Congratulations Marlys and Anne.