LONDON, UK (June 15, 2009) — The international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP announced that it is entering the London market. A new UK firm, operating as Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP, will be formed. Paul Maher will join as the founding member and chairman of the London office. Maher will also serve as a co-chairman of the firm's global mergers & acquisitions practice. He will be joined by Cate Sharp and Fiona Adams, who will serve as the office's co-managing members and will enhance the extensive global corporate and environmental practices of Greenberg Traurig.
Maher previously served as Mayer Brown’s global vice chairman. Previously, he had been the senior partner of Rowe & Maw, and led that firm's merger with Mayer Brown more than seven years ago. Maher also led Mayer Brown's move into Asia via its merger with Johnson Stokes & Master. In addition to the development of an important London presence, Maher will work closely with Greenberg Traurig’s other key leaders as it further develops its global and European network.
"These are challenging times for our clients and our solution-oriented, diverse and nimble platform is built to deliver the value they need today and will need tomorrow,” said Richard A. Rosenbaum, Greenberg Traurig's President. "London is key to our global strategy and we have patiently waited for the right leader in terms of quality, cultural fit and business savvy. In Paul, we have found that person, as well as adding a top tier M&A team to our global capabilities, and we are very pleased that he, Cate and Fiona chose Greenberg Traurig as their new home."
Maher is a recognized leader in corporate law and has considerable experience in cross-border mergers and acquisitions work. He has advised a wide range of domestic and international clients operating in many different sectors, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, financial services, information services, retail and communications. Sharp and Adams have worked with Maher for many years. According to the firm, Adams adds immediate strength and breadth to the M&A practice and Sharp is a highly regarded environmental practitioner, who will support M&A work whilst continuing to practice all aspects of environmental law.
"I was fortunate to have had a number of exciting options and gave each of them considerable thought," said Maher. "I chose Greenberg Traurig because of the firm’s global ambition, quality, balance in its practices and locations, sound financial management, strategic vision and culture. I am pleased to be a founder of Greenberg Traurig Maher in the UK, a firm prepared to deliver and focus on what our clients need today and in the future."
Since January, Greenberg Traurig has grown strategically with the addition of more than 40 lateral shareholders in some of the firm's key growth areas including restructuring, corporate and securities, litigation, healthcare law, intellectual property, labor and employment, technology, real estate, financing, and tax.