As part of an overall strategy to respond to client needs as they change in today's economic climate, the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, with a one-of-a-kind U.S. platform and key global locations, has announced the addition of two key shareholders and the opening of a new office in White Plains, New York. This office will work very closely with the firm's 300-lawyer New York City office. Worldwide, the firm has 1800 lawyers in 31 offices. This will be the firm’s third office in the greater New York metropolitan region along with its offices in New York City and in Morristown, New Jersey.
Thomas M. Leslie and Thomas J. Infurna, two long-time partners of Thacher Proffitt & Wood, have joined the firm. Mr. Leslie leaves his position as Thacher Proffitt's Vice Chairman and Managing Partner of that firm's White Plains office. He will become the managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s White Plains’ office.
"Tom Leslie would be a welcome addition to any major law firm at any time, given his long history of counseling important clients and his well-earned reputation for quality, integrity and character," said Richard A. Rosenbaum, President of Greenberg Traurig. "But in these challenging times, when clients increasingly operate in many diverse markets and need their law firms to provide immediate answers from a wide range of experts at a reasonable cost, we specifically sought him out for his leadership in helping us combine top quality services, our uniquely large and diverse global platform and a convenient and cost efficient location in White Plains. This move fits our strategy of delivering top tier quality quickly and efficiently, with an emphasis on finding ways to deliver value to clients by controlling our costs of delivery in creative ways. In this case, Tom and his team will also lead us in addressing client needs in Westchester and Connecticut."
To launch the White Plains office, the firm also welcomes as of counsel Kenneth P. Addeo, Gregory P. Murphy and Michael J. Vitolo and as associates, Douglas M. Cain, Randy S. Eckers and Daniel J. Pennessi.
"I have practiced law at Thacher Proffitt for a long time, and it is a fine firm," said Mr. Leslie. "But as I look to the balance of my legal career and how best to serve my clients during changing times, I sought out a firm with a more diverse business model and broader platform. I am proud to be part of a firm where the cooperation among offices and practices brings broad skill sets as well as an advantage in international markets."
Greenberg Traurig's strategy for growth is to establish a presence in markets with identifiable business opportunities that can be supported by several of the firm's nationally recognized practice groups. The firm only opens offices where and when it makes sense and it can make a difference for its clients. White Plains serves as a vital base of business operations for a growing number of New York City-headquartered companies and is also a corporate hub in its own right – home to numerous high-tech firms and other major corporations. This winning mix of commerce, technology and innovation makes White Plains an ideal home for a growing team of Greenberg Traurig attorneys. When Greenberg Traurig adds an office, it does so because it has found a local team of attorneys that complement the firm's collaborative platform and – importantly – are lawyers who are culturally consistent with the firm's values.
The White Plains office will be Greenberg Traurig’s third in New York state and 28th in the United States. The firm has had an established presence in New York City since 1991 and in Albany since 2004. With the opening of White Plains, the firm will have six offices in the North East. Greenberg Traurig has the most U.S. offices among the Top 10 law firms on The National Law Journal’s 2007 NLJ 250.
White Plains, situated just 25 miles north of Manhattan, has impressive credentials as one of the top suburban office and retail centers in the nation. White Plains is the Westchester County Seat and the center for corporate, retail, and Federal, State and County courts and offices. It is the gateway to both metropolitan and upstate New York, New England and other major northeast markets. Downtown White Plains has become a corporate hub attracting high technology firms, major corporations, and three colleges/universities. With more than 3000 units of residential housing built or currently in the approval process in the downtown, it will soon become a major residential neighborhood as well. (Source: City of White Plains Website)
About the attorneys
Thomas M. Leslie’s practice includes representing institutions and individuals in connection with the purchase, sale and financing of real estate, as well as the sale and financing of loan portfolios. He also advises lenders specializing in asset based financing, revolving credit and term financings and private aircraft financing. Tom is a member of the Westchester County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the Westchester County Association Board of Directors. He received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and his A.B. from the University of Notre Dame, cum laude.
Thomas J. Infurna practices in commercial real estate law and asset-based finance. He represents a variety of financial institutions as well as real estate investors and developers. He received his J.D. from St. John's University School of Law, with honors, and was a St. Thomas Moore Scholar and the New York Practice Editor of the St. John's Law Review. He received his B.A. from Fordham University, magna cum laude, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Alpha Theta and a Fordham University Presidential Scholar.
Kenneth P. Addeo’s practice focuses on commercial real estate law and asset-based finance transactions. He represents commercial banks, saving banks and capital companies in a variety of transactions, including commercial fee and leasehold mortgages, commercial real estate lending, construction and development financing transactions, and commercial asset-based loan facilities, including aircraft financing transactions. Kenneth received his J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University, cum laude, and was a Member of The Justinian Society. He received his B.S. from Siena College.
Gregory P. Murphy has extensive experience in transactional real estate and asset-based finance. He has represented numerous nationally recognized lending institutions and owner/developer clients. He received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and his B.S. from Pace University, summa cum laude.
Michael Vitolo's practice focuses on commercial, real estate, banking and lending matters with transactions occurring throughout the United States. He represents banks, finance companies and other financial institutions and investors in sophisticated multi-property and multi-state transactions, including revolving credit and term loan facilities, lease and portfolio financing, purchase and sale of real property and multi-bank syndications and participations. Michael also has extensive Uniform Commercial Code and Letter of Credit expertise. He received his J.D. from Syracuse University Law School, cum laude, where he was a member of the Justinian Honor Society and his B.A. from the University of Rochester.
Douglas M. Cain represents a variety of financial institutions, equipment leasing companies, developers and investors in commercial real estate, asset-based, equipment leasing and finance transactions, as well as the acquisition and disposition of loan portfolios, individual loans, syndicated notes, B notes and mezzanine loans. Douglas received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and his B.A. from University of Maryland.
Randy S. Eckers represents financial institutions and developers in a variety of real estate financing and structured financing transactions including acquisitions, refinances, and multi-state, multi-property transactions secured by office buildings, condominium units, shopping centers, hotels, parking garages, manufacturing facilities and multi-family housing. Randy also represents financial institutions in the acquisition and disposition of loan portfolios, individual loans, syndicated notes, B notes, FHA- and RHS- insured loans, participation interests, mezzanine loans and equipment loans. In addition, Randy also advises financial institutions specializing in warehouse loans secured by distressed assets located in the United States and Mexico. He received his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law, with honors, and his B.A. from Binghamton University.
Daniel J. Pennessi represents institutions and individuals in connection with all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including the acquisition, development, leasing and disposition of a variety of asset classes, together with the financing thereof, as well as the acquisition and disposition of multi-state portfolios. In addition, Daniel’s real estate experience includes zoning and land use matters. He is the Executive Treasurer of the Urban Land Institute, Westchester/Fairfield District Council. He received his J.D. and Environmental Certificate from Pace University School of Law, cum laude, where he served as the Articles Editor for the Pace International Law Review and Review of the Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. He received his B.S.B.A. from Stonehill College.
Thomas M. Leslie and Thomas J. Infurna, two long-time partners of Thacher Proffitt & Wood, have joined the firm. Mr. Leslie leaves his position as Thacher Proffitt's Vice Chairman and Managing Partner of that firm's White Plains office. He will become the managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s White Plains’ office.
"Tom Leslie would be a welcome addition to any major law firm at any time, given his long history of counseling important clients and his well-earned reputation for quality, integrity and character," said Richard A. Rosenbaum, President of Greenberg Traurig. "But in these challenging times, when clients increasingly operate in many diverse markets and need their law firms to provide immediate answers from a wide range of experts at a reasonable cost, we specifically sought him out for his leadership in helping us combine top quality services, our uniquely large and diverse global platform and a convenient and cost efficient location in White Plains. This move fits our strategy of delivering top tier quality quickly and efficiently, with an emphasis on finding ways to deliver value to clients by controlling our costs of delivery in creative ways. In this case, Tom and his team will also lead us in addressing client needs in Westchester and Connecticut."
To launch the White Plains office, the firm also welcomes as of counsel Kenneth P. Addeo, Gregory P. Murphy and Michael J. Vitolo and as associates, Douglas M. Cain, Randy S. Eckers and Daniel J. Pennessi.
"I have practiced law at Thacher Proffitt for a long time, and it is a fine firm," said Mr. Leslie. "But as I look to the balance of my legal career and how best to serve my clients during changing times, I sought out a firm with a more diverse business model and broader platform. I am proud to be part of a firm where the cooperation among offices and practices brings broad skill sets as well as an advantage in international markets."
Greenberg Traurig's strategy for growth is to establish a presence in markets with identifiable business opportunities that can be supported by several of the firm's nationally recognized practice groups. The firm only opens offices where and when it makes sense and it can make a difference for its clients. White Plains serves as a vital base of business operations for a growing number of New York City-headquartered companies and is also a corporate hub in its own right – home to numerous high-tech firms and other major corporations. This winning mix of commerce, technology and innovation makes White Plains an ideal home for a growing team of Greenberg Traurig attorneys. When Greenberg Traurig adds an office, it does so because it has found a local team of attorneys that complement the firm's collaborative platform and – importantly – are lawyers who are culturally consistent with the firm's values.
The White Plains office will be Greenberg Traurig’s third in New York state and 28th in the United States. The firm has had an established presence in New York City since 1991 and in Albany since 2004. With the opening of White Plains, the firm will have six offices in the North East. Greenberg Traurig has the most U.S. offices among the Top 10 law firms on The National Law Journal’s 2007 NLJ 250.
White Plains, situated just 25 miles north of Manhattan, has impressive credentials as one of the top suburban office and retail centers in the nation. White Plains is the Westchester County Seat and the center for corporate, retail, and Federal, State and County courts and offices. It is the gateway to both metropolitan and upstate New York, New England and other major northeast markets. Downtown White Plains has become a corporate hub attracting high technology firms, major corporations, and three colleges/universities. With more than 3000 units of residential housing built or currently in the approval process in the downtown, it will soon become a major residential neighborhood as well. (Source: City of White Plains Website)
About the attorneys
Thomas M. Leslie’s practice includes representing institutions and individuals in connection with the purchase, sale and financing of real estate, as well as the sale and financing of loan portfolios. He also advises lenders specializing in asset based financing, revolving credit and term financings and private aircraft financing. Tom is a member of the Westchester County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the Westchester County Association Board of Directors. He received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and his A.B. from the University of Notre Dame, cum laude.
Thomas J. Infurna practices in commercial real estate law and asset-based finance. He represents a variety of financial institutions as well as real estate investors and developers. He received his J.D. from St. John's University School of Law, with honors, and was a St. Thomas Moore Scholar and the New York Practice Editor of the St. John's Law Review. He received his B.A. from Fordham University, magna cum laude, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Alpha Theta and a Fordham University Presidential Scholar.
Kenneth P. Addeo’s practice focuses on commercial real estate law and asset-based finance transactions. He represents commercial banks, saving banks and capital companies in a variety of transactions, including commercial fee and leasehold mortgages, commercial real estate lending, construction and development financing transactions, and commercial asset-based loan facilities, including aircraft financing transactions. Kenneth received his J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University, cum laude, and was a Member of The Justinian Society. He received his B.S. from Siena College.
Gregory P. Murphy has extensive experience in transactional real estate and asset-based finance. He has represented numerous nationally recognized lending institutions and owner/developer clients. He received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and his B.S. from Pace University, summa cum laude.
Michael Vitolo's practice focuses on commercial, real estate, banking and lending matters with transactions occurring throughout the United States. He represents banks, finance companies and other financial institutions and investors in sophisticated multi-property and multi-state transactions, including revolving credit and term loan facilities, lease and portfolio financing, purchase and sale of real property and multi-bank syndications and participations. Michael also has extensive Uniform Commercial Code and Letter of Credit expertise. He received his J.D. from Syracuse University Law School, cum laude, where he was a member of the Justinian Honor Society and his B.A. from the University of Rochester.
Douglas M. Cain represents a variety of financial institutions, equipment leasing companies, developers and investors in commercial real estate, asset-based, equipment leasing and finance transactions, as well as the acquisition and disposition of loan portfolios, individual loans, syndicated notes, B notes and mezzanine loans. Douglas received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and his B.A. from University of Maryland.
Randy S. Eckers represents financial institutions and developers in a variety of real estate financing and structured financing transactions including acquisitions, refinances, and multi-state, multi-property transactions secured by office buildings, condominium units, shopping centers, hotels, parking garages, manufacturing facilities and multi-family housing. Randy also represents financial institutions in the acquisition and disposition of loan portfolios, individual loans, syndicated notes, B notes, FHA- and RHS- insured loans, participation interests, mezzanine loans and equipment loans. In addition, Randy also advises financial institutions specializing in warehouse loans secured by distressed assets located in the United States and Mexico. He received his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law, with honors, and his B.A. from Binghamton University.
Daniel J. Pennessi represents institutions and individuals in connection with all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including the acquisition, development, leasing and disposition of a variety of asset classes, together with the financing thereof, as well as the acquisition and disposition of multi-state portfolios. In addition, Daniel’s real estate experience includes zoning and land use matters. He is the Executive Treasurer of the Urban Land Institute, Westchester/Fairfield District Council. He received his J.D. and Environmental Certificate from Pace University School of Law, cum laude, where he served as the Articles Editor for the Pace International Law Review and Review of the Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. He received his B.S.B.A. from Stonehill College.