Staff Reports
Greenberg Traurig now is the largest law firm in the United States, based on the number of U.S. lawyers, according to the Law360 400 list, compiled by the legal news service of the same name.
The firm, which has gone international, was founded in Miami in 1967 by lawyers Mel Greenberg, Larry Hoffman and Robert Traurig. It’s now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Today, the firm has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States (including seven in Florida), Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and is among the Top 20 on the 2016 Am Law Global 100.
“A key to our growth has been our commitment to a culture of empowerment and encouraging each of our lawyers to view this as their own practice,” said David Ashburn, Tallahassee office managing shareholder.
“That spirit attracts people – lawyers and clients – who are focused on value, excellence and continuous achievement.”
Greenberg Traurig Chief Executive Officer Brian L. Duffy added: “There’s nothing magic about being a larger firm, but it is important to always, every day, be a better law firm.”
In recent years, Greenberg has made some marquee hires in Florida, including veteran insurance lawyer-lobbyist Fred Karlinsky and Liz Dudek, former secretary of the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration.
The firm’s premier litigator in Tallahassee, Barry Richard, is known for representing then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush during the 2000 presidential election challenge.
More recently, Richard helped the Seminole Tribe of Florida win a legal fight against the state to continue offering blackjack at its casinos.
