Law firm grows Gulf offices while keeping Tel Aviv base

Greenberg Traurig now operates legal offices in Riyadh, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. The U.S. firm added these locations over the last three years. This expansion joins the company's existing operations in Israel. The firm has maintained a presence in the region for over a decade.

Richard Rosenbaum, the firm's executive chairman, confirmed the timeline of the growth. He noted that the company opened its Tel Aviv office in 2012. At that time, the firm had already been operating for some years. Rosenbaum stated that the decision to expand into the Gulf followed a specific business strategy. He described the move as a response to client demand rather than a political statement.

Rosenbaum addressed the potential friction of working in Saudi Arabia. That country does not maintain formal diplomatic ties with Israel. He said the firm chose transparency over secrecy regarding its Israeli operations. “We are proud that we’re here,” he said. “And it’s something that we don’t hide.” This open approach has not slowed the company's growth in the Gulf region.

The chairman emphasized that the firm serves commercial interests. “We’re not a political organization,” Rosenbaum explained. “We’re a business serving clients.” He pointed out that substantial business transactions occur between Israel and the Gulf. He added that the company feels comfortable as long as its regional partners are comfortable. He said no local investor has cited the firm's dual presence as a negative factor.

Rosenbaum believes commercial cooperation in the region is more active than the public realizes. He observed that businesses in Israel and the Gulf actively assist one another. This applies even in areas without formal diplomatic relations. He described the current environment as one of coexistence and mutual benefit. The firm initially entered the Israeli market to support the country during a difficult period. That effort evolved into a full office handling financing and transactions.

The firm has also engaged with antisemitism on U.S. college campuses. This work began in response to the events of October 7. Greenberg Traurig has supported legal challenges to identify funding sources for certain protest activities. Some of this work was performed pro bono. Other matters involved paying clients. Rosenbaum said the firm believes rising antisemitism reinforces the importance of the state of Israel for Jews worldwide.

The company's history is rooted in the experience of its founders. Three Jewish lawyers started the firm in Miami in 1967. They faced barriers to employment at established law firms. Rosenbaum noted that some social clubs in south Florida remained closed to Jews when he joined the company. He said the firm's leadership and hiring practices reflect this founding identity. He stated that this approach is not driven by external diversity targets.

Rosenbaum concluded that the firm's culture values inclusion based on its origins. He said the company was created as an opportunity for people who were not hired elsewhere. He believes the legal profession is now more welcoming to Jewish lawyers than when he began his career. The firm continues to operate with a focus on serving its clients across the Middle East and the United States.