Crystal Wells Cook

Crystal Wells Cook is an Associate in the Real Estate Practice at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.

Ms. Cook’s practice focuses on financial products, real estate law and corporate law.

Ms. Cook represents clients in a full range of real estate transactions, including due diligence and the drafting and negotiation of agreements related to complex acquisitions and dispositions of property, including commercial and timberland properties. She advises borrowers and lenders in connection with financing transactions secured by real property, including resolution of defaults, forbearance agreements and complex real estate restructuring in bankruptcy. She also advises health care and skilled nursing care providers in real estate matters, including financing and leasing transactions and the acquisition and disposition of stand-alone facilities and portfolios of real estate. Ms. Cook advises property owners and tenants in connection with leasing of commercial and industrial properties, including the drafting and negotiation of relevant documentation as well as working with developers in various aspects of the structure, finance and development of mixed-use developments, including transit-oriented developments.

Ms. Cook also has experience in various aspects of corporate law. She represents clients in connection with entity formation and the preparation of governing documents; plans, forms and advises non-profit organizations; counsels investors with respect to analyses of investments in potential film projects, including preparing documentation to evidence such investments; reviews financial information related to investments in companies, including, without limitation, the investigation and identification of potential areas of malfeasance and deficiencies in financial reporting; and works with clients in the preparation of franchise and licensing agreements and related disclosure documents. Additionally, she counsels clients in the entertainment industry on securing intellectual property rights to clips, stills and photographs from distribution companies, magazines and other third parties, including the drafting of relevant documentation.

Ms. Cook was selected as a Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2005 and 2007.

Ms. Cook maintains an inactive Certified Public Accountant license in the state of Maryland. She previously worked for two of the Big Four public accounting firms, where she developed extensive experience in real estate partnership taxation.

Ms. Cook received her B.S., cum laude, at the University of Connecticut and her J.D. at Duke University. She is a member of the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia, the Business Law and Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Sections of the American Bar Association and the American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants.