As part of an ongoing commitment to enhance its dynamic leadership team in Texas, global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has made a number of leadership changes in the region.
Cara Mittleman Kelly will join Karen M. Kennard as co-managing shareholder in leading the Austin office, which currently has more than 40 attorneys and offers legal counsel on a broad spectrum of local, national, and international matters, spanning key industries such as e-commerce, education, energy, government, health care, insurance, private equity, real estate, retail, and technology.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help lead a team that truly embodies the diverse and dynamic spirit of this incredible city,” Kelly said. “Austin’s unique mix of state government leaders, a thriving business community, and a culture of innovation creates the perfect backdrop for our versatile attorneys to provide clients with the exceptional legal counsel and client service they have come to expect from Greenberg Traurig.”
The firm has been growing its presence in Texas steadily for the last 22 years, opening its first office in Dallas in 2003, followed shortly by offices in Houston and Austin. Today Greenberg Traurig has 175 attorneys in three Texas offices and has grown that presence with a 44% increase in shareholders over the last three years.
“When we came into Texas 22 years ago, our focus wasn’t just on serving local clients, but also on understanding the unique spirit of the state and becoming a part of the Texas business and legal community,” Executive Chairman Richard A. Rosenbaum said. “We wanted to be the first firm that would end up feeling truly Texan, but that would have a global platform. We call ourselves GT Texas, and the Dallas, Houston, and Austin offices work seamlessly together. Our clients appreciate that we operate as one unified firm, not just in Texas but across the globe.”
Demetrius G. McDaniel and Shari L. Heyen lead GT Texas as firm senior vice presidents and regional operating shareholders for Texas. Other key leadership includes Dallas Managing Shareholder Joseph F. Coniglio.
Given the firm’s focus on operating across the state, GT has named key Texas leaders in the following areas:
- Texas Litigation Practice: Craig Duewall in Austin, Bina Palnitkar and Karl G. Dial in Dallas, and Roland Garcia and Ethel J. Johnson in Houston.
- Texas Corporate Practice: Thomas Woolsey in Dallas and Francis (Frank) R. Bradley III in Houston.
- Strategic recruiting will continue to be supported by Elizabeth Ross Hadley in Austin, Peter S. Wahby in Dallas, and Franklin D.R. Jones Jr. in Houston.
- Expanding the Corporate Practice with Shareholder Gemma Descoteaux in Dallas and Shareholder Kurt Lyn in Austin.
- Adding to the Real Estate and Energy Practices with Shareholder Paul M. Williams in Austin.
- Adding to the Intellectual Property & Technology Practice with Rob LeBlanc and Ashley N. Moore in Dallas.
- Enhancing the Financial Regulatory & Compliance Practice with Shareholder Jera L. Bradshaw in Dallas.