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Greenberg Traurig Announces Plan for Strategic Succession Starting in 2010; Cesar L. Alvarez to Become Executive Chairman; Richard A. Rosenbaum to Become Chief Executive Officer

January 26, 2009 — The international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP today announced that in January of 2010, a current president of the firm, Richard A. Rosenbaum, will assume the role and responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer from Cesar L. Alvarez. At that time, Alvarez will remain engaged full-time in firm management as the firm's Executive Chairman and will focus on the firm's growth prospects, both in the USA and internationally, as well as on the strategic challenges that will be facing the legal industry. Larry J. Hoffman, Chairman, and Matthew Gorson, President, will remain in their current roles on a full-time basis.

Alvarez joined the firm in 1973. He was named CEO in 1996, assuming the CEO role from Hoffman, an original founder of the firm in 1967. Greenberg Traurig has grown to more than 1800 attorneys and has been widely recognized for having a very diversified platform with over 32 offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. In 2008, Greenberg Traurig was selected by Chambers as USA Law Firm of the Year for 2007.

Rosenbaum, 54, joined Greenberg Traurig in 1985. As President, Rosenbaum oversees the operation and growth of 15 of the firm’s offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

“Richard is the right person for the role and responsibilities of the CEO. I have worked very closely with him for many years and trust his abilities to move our firm and our culture forward with the same style of servant leadership that has been the hallmark of our management philosophy for years. I am personally pleased that Richard has agreed to take on this position, and I know that Larry and Matt feel the same. Richard, Larry, Matt, and I have worked together as one cohesive team on a daily basis for years and that will continue to be so now and in the future when in January of 2010 I move full-time into my new role as Executive Chairman. During the next year, Richard and I will work together to make sure this change of roles in 2010 is as seamless to the firm as it was when I assumed the CEO role from Larry Hoffman,” Alvarez said.

"For more than 23 years, I have had the best teachers, mentors, role models and friends in Mel Greenberg, Larry Hoffman, Cesar Alvarez and Matt Gorson,” added Rosenbaum. "Our success over these years stems from our unselfish and collaborative team approach among the senior management while providing exceptional value and service to our clients in a unique culture of trust, respect, empowerment and real collaboration. This will not change. Cesar, Larry, Matt and I will continue our style of collaborative management.”