Orlando, Fla. – Feb. 23, 2015 – When Greenberg Traurig opened its doors in Orlando in 1995, the firm started with one attorney and a vision to bring a new kind of legal service to the market. Twenty years later, the Orlando office of international law firm Greenberg Traurig has grown to become one of the largest and most respected law offices in Central Florida with 40 attorneys in 13 practice areas.
The leader of the firm’s Orlando opening was James Bacchus, a former chief judge of the World Trade Organization, a former Member of Congress, and a former Special Assistant to the U.S. Trade Representative in the Executive Office of the President. Bacchus opened the first office with the singular support of administrator Lynn Watch in what is affectionately named the “Copper Whopper” building on the corner of Orange Avenue and Livingston Street in downtown Orlando.
“We saw the opportunity of a lifetime in the growing Orlando metropolitan area to build a law office that would provide a base to serve our clients, our community and indeed, all the world,” said Bacchus, who chairs the Global Practice of the firm.
Greenberg Traurig’s Orlando office has grown to become one of the most reputable and pre-eminent law firms in the state, joining the firm’s other six Florida offices in providing comprehensive legal services to clients. The office focuses on the practice areas of commercial real estate and land use, municipal finance and complex commercial litigation. Other practice areas include corporate and securities, environmental, hospitality, intellectual property and technology, tax law, and numerous aspects of international business and commerce. The Orlando office works closely with Greenberg Traurig’s Tampa office to provide clients with full-service representation in the region.
The Orlando office is currently led by Co-Managing Shareholders Orlando Evora and Jéan E. Wilson, who also hold prominent leadership positions with the Central Florida community and the firm at-large.
Throughout its 20-year history, Greenberg Traurig’s Orlando office has remained committed to fostering diversity and giving back to the community it serves. Greenberg Traurig attorneys are actively involved in the Central Florida community, participating on the boards of directors for various charitable and business organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America; Greater Orlando, Seminole County and Kissimmee/Osceola County Chambers of Commerce; United Arts; Visit Orlando, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission; the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts; the Central Florida Partnership; the Central Florida YMCA; and NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association.
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Orlando office of Greenberg Traurig, the Orlando office hosted a reception February 12 for Orlando area dignitaries, clients and friends of the firm. During the reception, representatives from both the City of Orlando and Orange County presented the firm with proclamations, naming Feb.12, 2015 as the official “Greenberg Traurig Day” in both jurisdictions.