NEW YORK – July 30, 2021 – In January 2018, Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) announced a forward-looking plan to move the center of its New York regional operations to the state-of-the-art, conveniently located, yet-to-be-constructed One Vanderbilt project in Manhattan, as one of its first tenants.
The firm envisioned a cohesive plan suitable for today, yet nimbly adaptable to coming changes in talent needs, technological advances and, first and foremost, the priorities and expectations of its highly valued clients, always at the center of every strategic move.
Richard A. Rosenbaum, the firm's Executive Chairman, was quoted back in January, 2018 as saying: “Our firm will once again be a leader by utilizing both ‘new law’ space planning in this state-of-the-art and perfectly located project in concert with a combination of alternative nearby locations to provide the most efficient and effective overall solution for our clients and talent alike.”
And then, as the majestic tower rose above Manhattan, New York and the world were unexpectedly hit by a pandemic, forcing all the changes which Rosenbaum and others saw coming to be suddenly accelerated, almost overnight. Life as we knew it would never be the same.
Greenberg Traurig wasted no time in adapting to the pandemic, strongly performing for its clients and as a firm, and looking out for its lawyers and professional staff. As New York emerged from the pandemic, it was time to fine-tune the plan.
The idea of utilizing One Vanderbilt as the center of operations remained on target, with the firm planning its move during October 2021.
"While some may continue to spend significant time working at home for individual reasons, and many will spend considerable time at One Vanderbilt, the firm believes that we can, in effect, have a number of folks working 'remotely' while still being together with their GT colleagues in an office setting closer to home, also serving clients whose own lives have relocated during this period," Rosenbaum said. "By using longstanding and significant offices at the Graybar Building, and in New Jersey, Westchester, and Albany, likely in expanded forms, along with locations being planned on Long Island, we believe we can accomplish these objectives in a way that works for our unique firm, close to our clients, respecting our people, adapting to change, and delivering excellence and value that clients appreciate."
"This approach facilitates flexibility and convenience while preserving opportunities for collaboration and camaraderie made most possible by being together, albeit in various settings," said Ejim Achi and Scott J. Bornstein, co-managing shareholders of the firm's New York office. "We have always been on the cutting edge of change, and we are very excited that, even as we have achieved so much growth and success, we have not lost our desire to continue to seek optimal solutions for our clients, lawyers, and staff."
In this context, the firm has fine-tuned its One Vanderbilt plan. In addition to planning for an expanded and first-class conference center, and a greater number of visitor offices, the pivot to capturing greater utilization from its existing web of regional offices enabled the firm to elect to eliminate one floor at One Vanderbilt.
"We are proud of the elevation of excellence, client service, productivity, and absolute resilience shown by our entire team during the pandemic,” Rosenbaum said. “While nothing replaces being together for GT's globally unified culture of family, mentoring, and collaboration, much more flexibility was suddenly possible and successfully executed. So, when we saw a unique window of opportunity to execute a beneficial transaction that made sense for who we are as a firm, we nimbly moved to take full advantage."
About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: www.gtlaw.com