Greenberg Traurig, LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Greenberg Traurig, LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Corporate and commercial > M&A: Lower Mid-Market Deals, £100m-£750m Tier 2

With capabilities to handle high-value and multijurisdictional M&A transactions, Greenberg Traurig, LLP continues to attract new clients from a wide range of industry sectors including logistics, telecommunications, and real estate. Co-heading the corporate M&A team are cross-border specialist Paul Maher, joint venture expert Fiona Adams, and industrials and financial services authority Henrietta Walker. Maher has extensive experience handling both public and private M&A transactions for clients from the chemicals, life sciences, and retail sectors, while Adams stands out for her expertise in leading on joint venture transactions and negotiations. Walker is adept in disposals, corporate advisory, and reorganisations. Other key practitioners in the group include Shashank Krishna – who concentrates on transactions in the energy, infrastructure, and defense sectors – Sarah Moyles – who focuses on public and private M&A transactions, joint ventures, and venture capital deals – and Joel Wheeler – who has experience assisting on private M&A, private equity transactions, and corporate restructurings.

Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: civil Tier 2

Greenberg Traurig, LLP‘s civil fraud practice has ‘some of the biggest names in civil fraud and the expertise to take on the largest cases’. The team routinely represents corporations and individuals from the retail, finance, investment, energy and real estate sectors in cross-border civil fraud matters. It is particularly experienced in multi-jurisdictional cases, and search and seizure orders; clients further benefit from the London group’s leveraging of litigation teams from the firm’s international network of 47 offices. The London civil fraud and business disputes practice is co-chaired by Kathryn Garbett, who is ‘one of the most experienced civil fraud litigators around’, and Claire Broadbelt, who acts for both claimants and defendants in high-value civil fraud cases before the English High Court. The second line of experienced practitioners includes Annabel Thomas, whose caseload frequently involves multiple jurisdictions and interim relief applications; longstanding civil fraud expert Martin Shobbrook, who has considerable experience in multi-jurisdictional asset tracing; Hannah Blom-Cooper, who heads the London contentious insolvency practice; and Elizabeth Fox, who handles matters involving fraud and misconduct allegations. Other names to note are Mehmet Karagoz, Katharine Bond, Bethany Histed and Stephanie Silverston. ‘First-rate litigator’ Masoud Zabeti was promoted to shareholder in early 2024.

Investment fund formation and management > Real estate funds Tier 2

Despite a challenging fundraising year, Greenberg Traurig, LLP‘s specialist real estate funds team has gone from strength to strength in the real estate private equity and credit space, continuing to advise clients across the full fund lifecycle. Praised as ‘hardworking, technically strong and collaborative‘, the team is also noted for its capability in secondaries. The practice benefits from the expertise of Steven Cowins, who helps to establish funds and joint ventures, as well as secure portfolio M&A deals. Marc Evan Snell is presently leading a number of the firm’s key fundraisings and investment transactions. Tom Dear centres on fund formations, acquisitions and disposals, and joint ventures. Tim Dolan, who joined the practice from Reed Smith LLP in January 2023, is noted for his experience in financial services regulation.

Real estate > Commercial property: investment Tier 2

Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals) Tier 3

The growing team at Greenberg Traurig, LLP routinely acts for individuals facing allegations of money laundering, bribery and corruption, and fraud. Adeptly handling agency enforcement proceedings as well as internal investigations, the team is also well-placed to advise on international sanctions and extradition matters. ‘Really impressive operator‘ Rebecca Meads leads the team and has a solid track record defending clients before the SFO. Alex Swan is the name to note for multijurisdictional bribery and corruption and market abuse investigations. The group also includes a strong team of associates, including Helen Sotillo, Greta Barkle, who assists on cross-border matters, and Gavin Costelloe, who is recommended for work relating to money laundering and fraud allegations, as well as investigations by the Insolvency Service and Companies House.

Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) Tier 3

Working in close collaboration with the firm’s US offices, Greenberg Traurig, LLP maintains an ‘outstanding‘ white-collar crime and investigations practice with strength in cross-border mandates. Rebecca Meads oversees the department and her experience encompasses anti-bribery and corruption, AML, and asset freezing matters. Meads works alongside the ‘highly capable‘ Alex Swan, who handles tax investigations, compliance programmes, and due diligence instructions.

Corporate and commercial > Equity capital markets – mid-large cap Tier 4

Greenberg Traurig, LLP’s London-based equity capital markets team regularly leverages the firm’s US and international presences to handle private placements, primary and secondary offerings, debt and equity restructurings, and take-private transactions for both New York- and London-listed clients. Dorothee Fischer-Appelt is particularly noted for her US-UK cross-border expertise and regularly advises on US offerings as well as on the US securities and regulatory aspects of share issuances for UK and European corporate clients. Andrew Caunt heads up the team and handles fundraises in the UK as well as in emerging markets. UK ECM expert James Mountain is also a name to note.

Corporate and commercial > Financial services: contentious Tier 4

Increasingly visible in the market following some notable hires in recent years, the ‘proactive and commercial’ team at Greenberg Traurig, LLP excels in defending individuals and entities across a wide array of contentious regulatory issues, as well as white-collar matters. Team head Matt Hancock has a ‘down-to-earth, pragmatic approach to difficult issues’, be it in relation to high-profile market abuse allegations or in the context of the regulatory rules under the Senior Managers Regime. Katharine Bond is ‘very supportive and hardworking’ in her efforts on behalf of senior individuals responding to regulatory scrutiny, including where it overlaps with employment issues.

Finance > Debt capital markets Tier 4

Greenberg Traurig, LLP continues to advise both arrangers, issuers, and investors on cross-border debt capital markets and bond liability management transactions. Its work spans Rule 144A offerings, US private placements, restructurings, green and sustainability-linked bonds, and standalone debt issuances in both developed and emerging markets. Dorothee Fischer-Appelt is the sole DCM partner. Helena Nathanson joined McCarthy Denning in 2024. She recently advised a hotel operator on an exchange offer for its outstanding $147m convertible bonds.

Real estate > Commercial property: development Tier 4

A one-stop shop, Greenberg Traurig, LLP advises clients on all facets of development projects, including acquisition, planning, tax, construction, finance, pre-letting and disposal matters. The firm handles a range of asset classes, from self-storage and logistics to senior living and build-to-rent. The practice is led by Danielle Martin, who is well-versed in portfolio sales and restructurings, and Matthew Priday, who is an expert in logistics and leisure projects. Within the team, Carol Hopper advises clients on data centre developments, and Steven Cowins acts on life sciences matters. Ashia Adams was made partner in March 2024.

Real estate > Property finance Tier 4

The Greenberg Traurig, LLP team frequently works for a variety of banks, capital fund managers, and real estate investment managers on real estate finance transactions. The team is jointly led by Partha S. Pal, Daniyal Ansari, and Sierra Taylor, the latter of whom joined the firm from Paul Hastings LLP in April 2023. Pal, a seasoned practitioner who is well-known in the market, is experienced in mezzanine loans, particularly within the luxury hotel space. Ansari is well-versed in financing deals for student accommodation and build-to-rent assets, both in the UK and Europe.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Music Tier 4

Led by Neil Miller, Greenberg Traurig, LLP‘s music practice assists social media companies, gaming and interactive entertainment companies with music licensing agreements. The team, which has recently advised on a new type of licensing agreement involving music mashup tools, is also well positioned to handle commercial agreements concerning AI. Miller draws on his extensive in-house experience in the music industry to assist with complex music licensing deals.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 5

Greenberg Traurig, LLP's tax department is led by Graham Iversen, a highly experienced practitioner with expertise in M&A, joint ventures, debt restructurings, and a broad range of other matters. Working alongside Iversen are Charles Case, a specialist in funds, and Clive Jones, who is particularly active in the real estate industry. Jessica Ganagasegaran, who is qualified as a CTA, advises on domestic and international transactions.

Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail Tier 5

Fraud is a key area of expertise for the banking and financial services litigation team at Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Its expertise ranges from acquisition finance and trade finance disputes to contentious financial services regulation and compliance matters, asset recovery, and insolvency litigation. ‘Exceptional litigator’ Masoud Zabeti heads the firm’s global litigation practice and is involved in banking disputes on an international scale. With extensive regulatory expertise, Matt Hancock advises both regulated financial services firms and individuals. Katharine Bond is an ‘extremely able lawyer’ and boasts a balanced claimant and defendant banking litigation practice, while Mehmet Karagoz focuses on fraud, internal investigations, and crisis management.

Finance > Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans Tier 5

Led by asset finance expert Graeme McLellan, Greenberg Traurig, LLP's banking and finance team handles some general syndicated lending and investment-grade borrower work, including in areas of core firmwide sector expertise such as real estate and transport. Leveraging his broader corporate restructuring credentials, Rupert Cheetham handles some syndicated lending work in a distressed scenario.

Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 5

'Small but perfectly formed', Greenberg Traurig, LLP advises debtors, creditors and investors across a wide array of work, from special situations and amend and extend transactions through to administration processes. Although the team – which also regularly works alongside international offices throughout its European and US network on cross-border deals – is sector agnostic, it is particularly effective in the real estate field, where it is able to leverage the firm's overarching subject matter knowledge and strong client base that includes real estate funds. Team head John Houghton is 'experienced and knowledgeable' across a range of formal processes and more transactional work, and has been particularly active in relation to the use of the UK restructuring plan, including in restructurings involving foreign debtors. Drawing upon his former transactional finance grounding, Rupert Cheetham excels in consensual workouts and schemes, while Hannah Blom-Cooper 'has a wealth of experience in contentious insolvencies'.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium Tier 6

Experienced on both the claimant and defendant side, Greenberg Traurig, LLP represents an international array of clients in commercial litigation, ranging from fraud and breach of contract or duty claims to asset recovery and contentious insolvency proceedings. Global litigation practice head Masoud Zabeti’s multijurisdictional disputes practice spans the CIS region, the Middle East and major offshore financial centres. Kathryn Garbett and Claire Broadbelt lead the firm’s civil fraud and business disputes, Mohammed Khamisa KC boasts a diverse clientele, spanning various jurisdictions. Elizabeth Fox and Mehmet Karagoz are also active team members.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 6

Greenberg Traurig, LLP handles a range of major commercial arbitrations and is also increasingly active in investor-state arbitrations. Mohammed Khamisa KC is experienced in multi-jurisdictional disputes involving multiple parties, contracts and related proceedings in different fora. Leith Ben Ammar represents clients from Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and the Middle East in international arbitrations. In July 2024, the firm hired Pinsent Masons LLP’s former global co-head of international arbitration Jason Hambury, and fellow partners Gurmukh Riyat and Clea Bigelow-Nuttall.

Finance > Transport finance and leasing Tier 6

Exhibiting 'excellent customer focus and commercial understanding', Greenberg Traurig, LLP is a popular choice among clients in the rail sector across a range of domestic and cross-border finance and leasing matters, often drawing upon resources throughout the firm's wider finance practice. Graeme McLellan has 'excellent industry knowledge', which he deploys to good effect on rolling stock procurement transactions, depot financings and portfolio acquisitions/disposals.

Corporate and commercial > EU and competition

Transport > Rail