MIAMI (July 17, 1998) - The international law firm of Greenberg Traurig, with 350 attorneys in 10 offices, today announced it will open an office in Tysons Corner, Va., to satisfy the growing needs of high-technology companies.
With nine highly-experienced attorneys, the firm's Northern Virginia office will service start-up, emerging and mature companies in the high-tech industry.
The principal focus of the office is to assist information technology, new media, and other emerging businesses in all aspects of planning and implementing their legal and business strategies, from raising capital in the private and public markets to handling day to day corporate issues; protecting intellectual property (including patent, copyright and trademark expertise); providing the full gamut of employment-related services for the high-tech industry; implementing global expansion and distribution, including e-commerce; and partnering with leading technology companies from around the world.
"The addition of our Northern Virginia office firmly establishes Greenberg Traurig as the leading corporate and securities and intellectual property law firm in the region," said Cesar Alvarez, President and CEO of the firm. "Greenberg Traurig is one of the first international law firms to enter this market and the first firm whose primary focus is on emerging technology clients, providing one stop shopping for all of a company's needs."
With more than 80 corporate and securities attorneys throughout the firm, and 80 lawyers in the firm's New York office, Greenberg Traurig has close ties to all of the capital markets and Wall Street. The firm was ranked No. 4 in the nation last year for the number of public offerings it handled for companies.
This is the fourth office Greenberg Traurig has opened in the past 18 months. This office continues the firm's culture of client service and commitment to the entrepreneurial client.
The lawyers opening this office come from several different firms in the area, and are all recognized leaders in the technology industry. C. Thomas Hicks III and Harry M. Glazer, co-managing shareholders of the Tysons Corner office, are former competitors who have assembled this group of outstanding counselors. Said Hicks: "This is a group of business savvy lawyers who understand the needs of technology companies. We bring business as well as legal counseling to the client's management team." Harry M. Glazer formerly headed the Information Technology Practice at Ginsburg, Feldman and Bress. He focuses on venture capitalization, strategic partnerships and providing corporate counseling for rapidly expanding start-ups, emerging and established information technology businesses. Glazer chairs the Emerging Business Network for the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), the region's largest technology association, and is on the board of the Patomac Steering Committee of the American Electronics Association. He is also the founder and co-chair of MindShare, a CEO forum for emerging technology companies in the region, sponsored by the NVTC and the Potomac Knowledgeway with backing from NASDAQ. C. Thomas Hicks III opened Shaw Pittman's Northern Virginia office more than 14 years ago. He is a corporate finance and business lawyer, who represents information technology firms, computer software firms, financial institutions and government contractors. Hicks serves as general council for NVTC, where he has been instrumental in enacting legislation at the state level that has helped create the favorable tax and regulatory environment for technology companies based in Northern Virginia. He is also General Counsel of Wolf Trap National Park, for the Performing Arts, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Northern Virginia Business Roundtable.
Evan R. Smith headed the high-tech practice group at Sixbey, Friedman, Leedom & Ferguson. Smith is a registered patent attorney and has a degree in electrical engineering in addition to his MBA. He has extensive experience in high-tech software and computer equipment, and coordinates the on-line Intellectual Property Resource Center of the Potomac Knowlegeway Netpreneur Exchange.
Harvey J. Shulman, joining Greenberg Traurig from Ginsburg, Feldman and Bress, is nationally-recognized for his work with respect to staffing issues relating to the high-tech industry. As General Counsel to the National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses, he does all of their legislative work and has been extremely successful in changing legislation at the state and federal level to favor technology companies and has represented hundreds of technology firms on employment, independent contractor, wage and hour and similar issues.
Jeffrey R. Houle is a corporate and securities attorney focusing his practice on initial public offerings (IPOs) and other equity and debt offerings. Formerly with Elias, Matz, Tiernan & Herrick, Houle represents both issuers and underwriters in securities matters.
Timothy J. Jessell, also formerly with Ginsburg, Feldman and Bress, is a CPA who focuses on tax and mergers and acquisitions, having represented technology firms on acquisition transactions.
Craig Etter, formerly with Ginsburg, Feldman and Bress, is a CPA who focuses his practice on employment law and tax controversy cases. Etter has authored several articles on employment tax issues. Prior to joining Ginsburg, Feldman and Bress, he was a trial attorney with the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service.
Lee R. Marks headed the Business Practice Group at Ginsburg, Feldman and Bress. Marks represents several public technology companies whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Small Cap Market. In addition to his corporate work, Marks has represented several companies in international arbitration disputes.
Robert Fitzgerald joins Greenberg Traurig as a senior associate. A former associate in the Business Practice Group with Ginsburg, Feldman & Bress, Fitzgerald is a former investment banker and a seasoned securities attorney with significant experience in IPOs and other public equity and debt offerings.