Atlanta law firms jockey to gain edge in global business. (Smith, Gambrell and Russell; Kilpatrick Stockton)

Among Atlanta's law firms, Smith, Gambrell & Russell has distinguished itself by recruiting foreign lawyers to Atlanta, while Kilpatrick Stockton has been the most aggressive in opening foreign offices.

But now, Smith Gambrell's one Chinese lawyer, Hongli Ma, has resigned to join a path-breaking firm in his home country. At the same time, Kilpatrick Stockton has recruited a Swedish arbitration specialist in London to boost its European practice, which recently lost a partner to rival Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker.

Ma is president of the China Business Association of Atlanta and has practiced law in Atlanta since graduating from Duke University's law school in …