Profile
Cesar L. Alvarez is a Senior Chairman of Greenberg Traurig. He previously served as the firm's Executive Chairman for more than three years and as its Chief Executive Officer for 13 years. During his tenure as CEO, which began in 1997, he directed the firm's growth from 325 lawyers in eight offices to approximately 1850 attorneys and government professionals in more than 36 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America, including strategic alliances in Milan and Rome, Italy. Under Cesar's leadership, the firm was recognized as the fastest-growing law firm in the United States and is among the Top 10 law firms in the country.
Before taking the helm as CEO, Cesar practiced securities, corporate and international law for more than 25 years. Throughout his career, he has represented numerous public companies and served on the boards of directors of several publicly traded corporations and charitable organizations. He has been recognized nationally and in his community for his professional, business and charitable leadership. He has been honored as one of the "100 Most Influential Lawyers in America" by The National Law Journal in 1997, 2000, and 2006 (the last 3 editions), as one of the top most powerful Hispanics by PODER's Power Issue, and among "The 25 Best Latinos in Business," Hispanic Magazine's Power Issue, both in 2008. He also has been honored by Chambers and Partners with its "Lifetime Achievement" Award and by the American Bar Association with its "Spirit of Excellence" Award.
Capabilities
Recognition & Leadership
- Recipient, Leadership Award, Harvard Business School Club of South Florida, 2019
- Recipient, Lifetime Achievement Award, American Lawyer Media, 2018
- Recipient, Lifetime Achievement Award, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award in Florida, 2017
- Recipient, Daily Business Review, "Professional Excellence: Lifetime Achievement Award," 2015
- Recipient, Hispanic National Bar Foundation Lifetime Leadership Award, 2014
- Recipient, "Spirit of Excellence" Award, American Bar Association, 2008
- Recipient, "Lifetime Achievement" Award, Chambers USA Awards for Excellence, 2008
- Recipient, "President's Award of Merit," The Florida Bar, May 2008
- Listed, South Florida Business Journal, "Power Leaders," 2017 and 2019-2020
- "Power Leaders 250 - Professional Services," 2019-2020
- "Power Leaders in Law," 2017
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law; International Trade and Finance Law, 1993-2025
- Named, "Lawyer of the Year," Corporate Law, Miami, 2015 and 2025
- Named, "Lawyer of the Year," International Trade and Finance Law, Miami, 2013 and 2019
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2019
- Listed, South Florida Legal Guide, "Top Lawyer," 2011-2021
- Recipient, Dade County Bar Association and the Dade Legal Aid, "Sandra Day O’Connor Award," 2015
- Listed, Lawdragon "The 500 Leading Lawyers in America – The Heavyweights," 2015
- Listed, South Florida Business Journal, "Top 100 Power Leaders," 2015
- Recipient, "Heroes of the American Dream Award," The National Immigration Forum, October 2013
- Recipient, The Scopus Award, American Friends of the Hebrew University, July 2010
- Recipient, "Tocqueville Award for Outstanding Philanthropy," United Way of Miami-Dade Tocqueville Society, March 2009
- Listed, The Legal 500 Latin America, Corporate and M&A, 2012
- Listed, South Florida Business Leader magazine, "Business Leader of the Year," Legal Category, 2010
- Listed, The National Law Journal
- "50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America," May 2008
- "100 Most Influential Lawyers in America," 1997, 2000, 2006 (Last Three Editions)
- Listed, PODER magazine
- "75 Most Influential Hispanics in 2010," December/January 2011
- "Top Most Powerful Hispanics," The Black Book of PODER, 2008
- "The 100 Most Powerful Latinos," (International Edition), 2003-2004
- "One of the 50 Most Powerful People in South Florida," The Power Issue (Miami Edition), 2003-2004
- Listed, Florida Trend Magazine
- "Florida 500 - Living Legend," 2018-2024
- "Top Managing Partner," 2004-2006, 2008
- "Legal Elite," 2004-2005
- Listed, Hispanic Magazine, "25 Best Latinos in Business," The Power Issue, February 2008
- Listed, Chambers & Partners USA Guide, 2007-2008
- Listed, Lawdragon 3000, "Leading Lawyers in America," 2006
- Recipient, MultiCultural Law magazine, "CEO of the Year," 2006
- Listed, South Florida CEO magazine
- Power Issue, April 2005
- "100 Most Powerful People in South Florida," December 2002
- Recipient, FIU Medallion, Florida International University, 2005
- Listed, Ocean Drive - En Español
- "Miami's New Power Players," June 2005
- "Top 100 Most Powerful Players," June 2005
- Recipient, South Florida Business Journal
- "South Florida Ultimate CEO" Award, 2004
- Diversity Works! Advocate-Individual Award, February 2004
- Inducted, Hall of Fame, Miami-Dade Community College, 2003
- Recipient, New American Award, Archdiocese of Miami, Inc., 2003
- Recipient, Silver Medallion for Service to Humanity Award, The National Conference for Community and Justice (formally National Conference of Christians and Jews), 2003
- Listed, The Miami Herald, "The Power Dozen: The Most Influential Business People in Miami-Dade County," December 2003
- Recipient, Golden Castanets Award, Ballet Hispanico, 2002
- Listed, Miami Business Magazine, "100 Most Powerful People in Miami," 2001
- Recipient, "Attorney of the Year" Award, Hispanic National Bar Association, 2001
- Listed, Hispanic Business, "100 Most Influential Hispanics," 1996-1998
- Recipient, Humanitarian of the Year Award, Women's International Zionist Organization, 1997
- Recipient, Pro-Bono Award, Cuban-American Bar Association
- Rated, AV Preeminent® 5.0 out of 5.0
- Chair, Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, Board of Trustees
- Trustee, Florida International University, 2008-Present
- Chair, Academic and Policy Committee
- Chair, Dean’s Leadership Council, FIU Law
- Chair, Florida International University College of Law, Advisory Board, 2003-Present
- Member, University of Miami School of Law, Visiting Committee, 2009-Present
- Board Member, Start Kids Bright, Inc. (f/k/a National Center for Excellence in Early Education, Inc.), Board of Directors
- Board Member, National Council of La Raza, Board of Directors
- Member, The Florida Council of 100
- Board Member, Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation, Board of Directors, 2011-Present
- Member, United Way of Miami-Dade
- Member, Advisory Council
- Chairman, Board of Directors, 2003-2005
- Campaign Chair, 2001-2002
- Participant, Guardian Ad Litem Program, Miami-Dade County
- Chair, American Bar Association, Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities, 2010-2013
- Vice Chairman, Trustee and Chair, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Audit Committee, 2000-2012
- Board Member, Take Stock in Children, Board of Directors, 2011-2013
- Trustee, University of Florida Levin College of Law, 2006-2011
- Board Member, Florida International University Foundation, Board of Directors, 1998-2008
- Trustee, Miami Dade College, 2005-2007
- Trustee, Manhattanville College, 2002-2007
- Board Member, Holocaust Documentation & Education Center, Inc., Board of Directors, 2004-2007
- Trustee, Florida Free Trade Area of the Americas
- Trustee, National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts
- Former Chairman, The Florida Bar, Securities Committee
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Cuban American Bar Association
- Member, Cuban Detainees in Guantanamo, Executive Committee
Credentials
Education
- J.D., with highest honors, University of Florida Levin College of Law, 1972
- M.B.A., University of Florida, 1970
- B.S., University of Florida, 1969
- A.A., Miami-Dade Community College, 1967
Admissions
- Florida
Languages
- Spanish, Fluent