Greenberg Traurig
Professional services
UnclaimedInternational law firm offering a broad range of legal and government-law services.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Greenberg Traurig is a privately held international law firm founded in Miami in 1967 by Mel Greenberg, Larry J. Hoffman, and Robert H. Traurig. The firm developed from a Florida practice into a broad, multidisciplinary legal-services organization with offices across the United States and in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. Its work spans corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, finance, real estate, litigation, intellectual property, tax, labor and employment, restructuring, regulatory matters, environmental law, and government law and policy. The firm also has a substantial lobbying and public-policy practice. A major turning point came when Larry Hoffman became managing partner in 1991. Under his leadership, Greenberg Traurig pursued national expansion, beginning with New York and later adding major markets including Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and Wilmington. The firm enlarged its New York presence in 2000 through the acquisition of the local Graham & James office. International development followed, including the opening of a London office in 2009. Its London practice later operated under the standard Greenberg Traurig name and is based in The Shard. The firm's business model emphasizes a large platform of practice groups combined with local-market coverage. Its clients have included companies, financial institutions, real-estate developers, public bodies, media organizations, fashion businesses, government entities, and individuals. Publicly associated clients and matters have included Diane von Furstenberg Studios, Condé Nast Publications, The New Yorker, the City of Chicago, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, although client relationships and representations have changed over time. Greenberg Traurig remains a major U.S. law firm by attorney headcount and revenue rankings. Reference material describes a network of roughly 51 locations and approximately 3,200 attorneys worldwide around 2025–2026. It is organized as a private professional-services partnership rather than a publicly traded corporation, so it has no public stock ticker. The firm is also known for pro bono work, diversity and access initiatives, public-interest fellowships, and environmental programs. In 2020 it was described as the first law firm certified net carbon neutral by the Center for Resource Solutions. The firm's public history also includes controversies involving former lawyers, lobbyists, clients, and representations. These include the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, allegations concerning political patronage in Chicago, regulatory proceedings related to Hamilton Bank, a tax-shelter kickback matter involving a former tax-practice chair, litigation involving a real-estate partner, an SEC investigation connected to alleged congressional information leaks, and the firm's 2018 separation from Rudy Giuliani. These matters concern different individuals and periods and should not be treated as evidence that all firm personnel or practices were implicated.
History
Greenberg Traurig was established in Miami in 1967 by Mel Greenberg, Larry J. Hoffman, and Robert H. Traurig. During the 1970s, the firm expanded its named-partner structure when Norman H. Lipoff and Albert D. Quentel joined, producing the name Greenberg, Traurig, Hoffman, Lipoff, and Quentel. Reubin Askew, who later served as Florida governor, was also a named shareholder in the early 1980s while pursuing the Democratic presidential nomination. Larry Hoffman became managing partner in 1991. His tenure marked the beginning of a more deliberate national-growth strategy. The firm opened in New York and, by 1999, had added offices in Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and Wilmington, Delaware. In 2000, its New York operation doubled in size after acquiring the local office of Graham & James. The firm continued to build a broad U.S. platform rather than concentrating solely on its Florida origins. Greenberg Traurig also developed public-interest and professional-development programs. In 1999 it established a fellowship foundation supporting public-interest lawyers through Equal Justice Works. The program was renamed the Greenberg Traurig Holly Skolnick Fellowship Foundation in 2013 in recognition of shareholder Holly Skolnick. From 2011 through 2013, the firm participated in the American Bar Association's National Pro Bono Week. In 2013, it introduced a residency program designed to give selected associates a one-year training period when they had not entered the firm through conventional on-campus recruiting. International expansion became more visible with the opening of a London office in July 2009. Initially known as Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP, the office later adopted the firm's standard name and moved to The Shard. The wider platform subsequently extended across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm's history has also been shaped by high-profile political and regulatory matters. Lobbyist Jack Abramoff joined in 2001 and assembled a team that later became associated with the federal Indian-lobbying scandal. In Chicago, Victor Reyes led the firm's lobbying practice from 2001 until 2005 while prosecutors investigated a patronage network connected to city politics; Reyes was described as a co-schemer but was not charged. Other controversies involved a former Philadelphia partner's bankruptcy-case misconduct, a settlement with the FDIC and a fine from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency concerning Hamilton Bank, tax-shelter kickbacks by former tax chair Jay I. Gordon, and litigation over alleged fiduciary conflicts in New York real estate. In 2016 Brian Duffy became chief executive officer. Founding partner Robert Traurig died in Miami in 2018. That year the firm ended its relationship with Rudy Giuliani after comments concerning payments to adversaries of clients. In 2020, Greenberg Traurig received recognition for net-carbon-neutral certification. By the mid-2020s it was described as one of the largest U.S. law firms, with approximately 51 locations and about 3,200 attorneys worldwide. Its reported 2025 revenue exceeded $2.9 billion, according to the cited reference material. Larry Hoffman, one of the founders, died on September 11, 2025.
- 2020
Net-carbon-neutral certification
[1]The firm was certified net carbon neutral by the Center for Resource Solutions.
- 2016
Brian Duffy becomes CEO
[1]Brian Duffy took over the firm's chief executive role.
- 2009
London office opened
[1]Greenberg Traurig established a London office, its principal gateway into the United Kingdom market.
- 1999
Major U.S. offices added
[1]The firm opened offices in Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and Wilmington, Delaware.
- 1991
National expansion begins under Larry Hoffman
[1]Larry Hoffman became managing partner and initiated a major expansion beyond Florida, beginning with New York.
- 1967
Firm founded in Miami
[1]Mel Greenberg, Larry J. Hoffman, and Robert H. Traurig established the law firm in Miami, Florida.
Products and positioning
Large, full-service international law firm serving corporations, financial institutions, public-sector organizations, developers, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth clients.
Legal service
Corporate and transactional law
Advice for companies, investors, and financial sponsors on corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, securities, private equity, and other transactions. This practice supports clients through structuring, negotiation, diligence, execution, and post-transaction integration.
Legal service
Litigation and dispute resolution
Representation in commercial disputes, investigations, trials, appeals, arbitration, and other contested matters. The practice serves businesses, institutions, public bodies, and individuals in matters involving contracts, business torts, regulatory exposure, and complex claims.
Legal service
Real estate law
Counsel for developers, lenders, investors, landlords, tenants, and public entities on acquisitions, dispositions, development, leasing, financing, land use, zoning, and real-estate disputes. Real estate has been one of the firm's historically prominent practice areas.
Legal service
Government law and lobbying
Public-policy, government-relations, regulatory, and legislative advocacy services for organizations dealing with federal, state, local, and international governments. The practice has been an important part of the firm's public profile and has also generated significant controversy in individual historical matters.
Legal service
Intellectual property
Advice and representation involving trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, licensing, brand protection, and related technology or media disputes. The firm has represented clients in fashion, publishing, media, and other brand-intensive industries.
Controversies
2025
Frank Butselaar tax-concealment sentence
Former partner and tax lawyer Frank Butselaar was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for helping wealthy clients conceal tens of millions of dollars from the IRS.
2018
Separation from Rudy Giuliani
The firm ended its relationship with Rudy Giuliani after public comments about paying adversaries of clients hush money in circumstances associated with the Stormy Daniels controversy.
2014
SEC insider-trading inquiry
The SEC investigated whether information from congressional staff had been passed to Greenberg Traurig lobbyist Mark Hayes and then to Height Securities. Litigation over an SEC subpoena continued through 2015.
2006
Hamilton Bank regulatory settlement
The firm agreed to pay the FDIC $7.6 million and an additional $750,000 penalty to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency over allegations concerning its legal advice to the failed Hamilton Bank.
2006
Tax-shelter kickback matter
Former tax-practice chair Jay I. Gordon was disbarred after admitting to receiving more than $1.2 million in kickbacks connected with tax shelters recommended to wealthy clients.
2005
Chicago patronage allegations
Victor Reyes, who led the firm's Chicago lobbying practice, was identified by federal prosecutors as a co-schemer in allegations concerning a patronage network tied to Chicago political workers. He resigned and was not charged.
2001
Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal
Lobbyist Jack Abramoff joined the firm and formed a lobbying team that later became implicated in the broader Indian-lobbying and political-influence scandal associated with him.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Associate residency program
United States
The firm launched a residency pathway allowing associates who were not recruited through traditional campus interviews to receive structured training during a one-year trial period.
Outcome. The program broadened the firm's entry route for selected associates.
- 2011National Pro Bono Week participation
United States
Greenberg Traurig participated in the American Bar Association's National Pro Bono Week during the 2011–2013 period.
Outcome. The participation highlighted the firm's pro bono and public-interest work.
- 1999Greenberg Traurig Fellowship Foundation
United States
The firm created a fellowship foundation to support public-interest lawyers through Equal Justice Works. It was later renamed the Greenberg Traurig Holly Skolnick Fellowship Foundation.
Outcome. The program continued under the Holly Skolnick name after its 2013 renaming.
Brand decisions
2020
Adopt net-carbon-neutral operating targetStrategyBackground
The firm pursued a formal environmental sustainability program.
Action taken
Greenberg Traurig obtained certification as net carbon neutral from the Center for Resource Solutions.
Aftermath
The certification became a notable part of the firm's environmental positioning.
2009
Open London officeStrategyBackground
The firm sought a direct presence in the United Kingdom and a base for international work.
Action taken
It opened a London office under the name Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP.
Aftermath
The office later adopted the standard Greenberg Traurig name and moved to The Shard.
2000
Acquire Graham & James New York officeM&ABackground
The firm wanted to increase its presence in New York.
Action taken
Greenberg Traurig acquired the local office of Graham & James, doubling the size of its New York operation.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened the firm's position in its largest office market.
1991
Pursue nationwide expansionStrategyBackground
The firm was historically rooted in Miami and Florida but sought a broader U.S. platform.
Action taken
Under managing partner Larry Hoffman, it began expanding nationally, starting with New York.
Aftermath
The strategy led to additional offices in major U.S. legal and commercial centers.
Recent events
Sources4 sources
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