Law firm grows Gulf offices

Greenberg Traurig now operates in three Gulf cities in addition to Israel. The US law firm has opened offices in Riyadh, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. This expansion occurred over the last three years. The firm maintains a long-standing presence in Tel Aviv.

The company first opened its Tel Aviv office in 2012. At that time, it had been operating in the region for over a decade. Richard Rosenbaum, the executive chairman, stated that the Gulf expansion began roughly three years ago. He noted that the firm has maintained its Israeli base throughout this growth.

Rosenbaum said the firm does not see a conflict in working with countries that have different diplomatic ties. Saudi Arabia does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel. He recalled that some legal peers were hesitant to acknowledge their work in Israel when the Tel Aviv office opened. Greenberg Traurig chose to be open about its location.

"We are proud that we're here," Rosenbaum said. "And it's something that we don't hide." He stated that this transparency has not hindered growth in the Gulf. He explained that the expansion was driven by business opportunities. He said the firm is not trying to influence regional diplomacy.

Rosenbaum said the firm focused on serving clients when opening offices in Riyadh and Dubai. "We're not a political organization," he said. "We're a business serving clients. And there's a lot of business that goes on between Israel and the Gulf." He noted that the firm is comfortable as long as its regional partners are comfortable.

He said no local investors have raised the firm's Israeli presence as a negative factor. He believes the dual presence is viewed positively. He suggested that commercial cooperation between Israel and the Gulf may be more extensive than the public realizes. "But in terms of business, people not only coexist, but fairly actively help each other," he said.

The firm was partly motivated to support Israel during a challenging period. This led to the development of a full office for financing and transaction opportunities. Rosenbaum said the firm helps clients with their situations wherever they are. "We're not here to create world peace," he said. He expressed hope for an end to conflicts and normalized relations.

The firm has been involved in legal efforts to address antisemitism on US college campuses since October 7. Rosenbaum observed that antisemitism has become a more troubling issue. He stated the firm supports Israel and believes rising antisemitism reinforces the importance of the state. The firm has supported legal challenges to identify funding sources behind protest activities.

Some of this work was performed pro bono, while other matters involved paying clients. Rosenbaum has personally supported United Hatzalah, an Israeli emergency medical organization, since October 7. He said the fight against antisemitism is an ongoing challenge. He noted that the situation within the American legal profession is relatively stable.

Rosenbaum said he has seen little evidence of active antisemitism within major US law firms. He suggested the profession is more welcoming to Jewish lawyers now than when he began his career. The firm was founded in Miami in 1967 by three Jewish lawyers who faced barriers to employment. "It was because it's who we are," Rosenbaum said.