Greenberg Traurig London Launch Will Push Some Boundaries, Paul Maher Says
Former Mayer Brown vice-chairman Paul Maher is launching a new London office for Greenberg Traurig that reportedly plans to challenge some BigLaw traditions.
Maher will serve as chairman of the London office of a new United Kingdom limited liability practice that will be known as Greenberg Traurig Maher. In addition, he will also co-chair the U.S. firm’s global mergers and acquisitions practice, reports Legal Week.
Two other former Mayer Brown partners from the firm’s London office are joining Maher as co-managing partners of the new Greenberg Traurig office. They are Fiona Adams, a corporate lawyer, and Cate Sharp, who is known for her environmental work.
The London office will “investigate radical alternatives to current law firm structures,” reports the Lawyer, apparently referring to potential nonattorney investment in Greenberg Traurig Maher. This possibility exists under United Kingdom law, although nonlawyers are not permitted to own law firms in the United States.
“It’s a good time to come into the market and push back some of the boundaries. The pricing model has to change,” Maher tells the Lawyer. “Clients are pretty unhappy paying large sums of money for junior lawyers who are being educated on the job. We want to put together a 21st-century law firm.”
Adds Richard Rosenbaum, the president of Greenberg Traurig, in a law firm press release: “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.
“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,” Rosenbaum continues. “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.”
The London venture follows significant lateral hiring by Greenberg Traurig: The more than 1,800-attorney firm has added 40 partners since January, according to Legal Week.
Related earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Mayer Brown Vice Chair Maher Submits His Resignation”
ABAJournal.com: “Mayer Brown Vice Chair Requests Leave in Wake of Firm Restructuring”
Chicago Tribune (2008): “Emerging markets fuel firms’ global growth”
Mayer Brown (2003): “Paul Maher becomes Senior Partner at Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw’s London office”
