Lateral Look: Greenberg Traurig

A state-of-the-art real estate practice with global reach is just the tip of the Greenberg for this multifaceted firm.

Greenberg Traurig Lateral Profile 2024

Temperatures aren't the only thing soaring in Miami - so is its legal scene! For many associates thinking of practicing in The Magic City, Greenberg Traurig was a name they were familiar with: “They have a big presence nationally, but also particularly in Miami, and I wanted something dynamic in the area.” Not only that, but GT is well-known for its real estate prowess too: “it's our bread and butter.”

View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings

Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life

 

Why did you join your firm? Associates say…

“How independent each office was, allowing each office to have their own uniqueness and cater to the needs of those local clients. It was also very cordial and relaxed – not at all like other Big Law firms.”

“Mentorship by senior partners was extremely important; the vast majority of partners in my practice group have been at the firm for almost their entire careers.”

“The trust they put in associates and attorneys to take on more advanced/important tasks and assignments that they show they're capable of.”


 

  

Career Development & the Path to Partnership

 

33

0.63 : 1

82%

partners made in 2023

associate : partner gearing

of associates intend to make partner

74%

75%

82%

felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children felt partnership was achievable at the firm agreed partners
are nurturing
future leaders

 

The view from the firm: Greenberg Traurig provides a variety of learning and professional development programs to build legal knowledge, strengthen professional skills, and empower our attorneys to make strategic business decisions that work for them. Our development programs enhance the skills and competencies our attorneys need at each step of their career, while supporting attorneys so they can thrive in their work, in their client relationships, and as part of our community. We focus on two critical components of development: (1) growth and advancement around a set of core competencies and (2) cultural freedom to leverage unique talents.


 

Hours & Compensation

 

no requirement

10.1

47.1

billable hours
target*

average number of vacation days associates took in one year

average number of hours associates worked in one week

63%

62%

58%

agreed they had a good work-life balance

said the benefits package makes the workload worthwhile

found the bonus allocation fair and transparent

 *varies by market

Salaries

The firm did not disclose its salaries.

 

The view from the firm: At GT, our credo is simple—we are one firm, one culture, one people. Our clients come from all walks of life, as do we. We believe that our lawyers’ obligation to the community is broader than just the legal work we do and that our lawyers have a professional responsibility to contribute their time and skill to provide legal services to those who do not have access to lawyers or otherwise cannot afford legal representation. As such, to effect change and incentivize participation, the firm continues its commitment to Pro Bono, requiring 25 hours of mandatory pro bono work and crediting up to 100 hours of pro bono work, recognizing up to 75 hours on community, civic, inclusion, and belonging activities (such as volunteering).


 

Is Greenberg Traurig the right firm for you?

 

87%

91%

84%

were happy in their current role

     agreed the work is interesting

felt comfortable being themselves at work

The view from the firm: Our culture of empowerment is a natural fit for individuals who are eager to create their own opportunities and have proven track records of success in areas that excite them. We recruit experienced attorneys who are personally committed to the highest standards of excellence and efficiency. 

Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...

“Most firms have a very similar PR pitch about culture which quickly melts away after you are hired. GT's culture was almost undersold during my research and interviews, and since joining, it quickly became clear that nothing about the culture is fake or just a line from marketing.  People work hard, they work together, and they care.”

“The firm is filled with genuinely good people that hold others accountable to being genuinely good people to others.”

“Collaborative and understanding, but competitive with a drive to win. Being here brings out the best in me as a lawyer and as a person.”


 

 Inclusion & Wellbeing

 

The view from the firm: 

Wellbeing

GT invests heavily in the wellness and well-being of its shareholders, associates, and professional staff through an extensive collaborative firmwide initiative. The direction and support of this initiative comes from active firm leadership participation, as well as a team of Wellness Ambassadors representing offices and shared services teams across the globe.  Well-being and self-care programs are communicated through weekly GT Wellness newsletters, a dedicated intranet resource center, firm-sponsored webinars, and a firm-provided wellness platform featuring mindfulness meditations, live and prerecorded fitness classes, and other self-care lessons. That said, GT does more than “talk the talk”. The firm continuously expands resources available in response to the evolving needs of our times, from emotional and mental health to financial and physical wellness. In line with this dedication to a culture of wellness, Greenberg Traurig is an enthusiastic signatory of the ABA Well-Being Pledge. By participating in this pledge, GT proudly demonstrates our support for well-being in the legal profession at large and commit to a healthy work environment.

 

Engagement, Culture and Opportunity

We have cultivated a culture where great ideas flourish when the sharpest minds with unique perspectives come together. Since our founding in 1967, we’ve built a firm where talent, dedication, people from many cultures and backgrounds, and innovative thinking define the way we serve our clients. This is not simply a statement – it is part of our DNA. With a presence in 49 markets globally, GT offers a dynamic team of attorneys whose breadth of experience and strong sense of cohesion create seamless strategies for clients nationally and internationally.

GT attracts attorneys that possess a sense of grit, resilience, and a client-first mindset. We celebrate how some of our lawyers and professional staff may have taken unconventional paths to join our ranks, going to law school at night, or being the first-generation to go to college. We believe this commitment to success strengthens our ability to deliver the best possible results for our clients and communities. We’ve worked to foster an environment that welcomes individuals from varied backgrounds, experiences, and cultures, ensuring that Greenberg Traurig remains a place of inclusion where legal talent thrives based on merit and dedication.

GT thrives on the passion and drive of our people, emphasizing merit, innovation, belonging and collaboration first. By fostering and rewarding an environment where skill and determination lead to greater opportunities, we continually attract top-tier talent while maintaining the high standards that have made us a trusted firm across multiple disciplines.

 

GT invests heavily in the wellness and well-being of its shareholders, associates, and professional staff through an extensive collaborative firmwide initiative. The direction and support of this initiative comes from active firm leadership participation, as well as a team of Wellness Ambassadors representing offices and shared services teams across the globe.  Well-being and self-care programs are communicated through weekly GT Wellness newsletters, a dedicated intranet resource center, firm-sponsored webinars, and a firm-provided wellness platform featuring mindfulness meditations, live and prerecorded fitness classes, and other self-care lessons. That said, GT does more than “talk the talk”. The firm continuously expands resources available in response to the evolving needs of our times, from emotional and mental health to financial and physical wellness. GT proudly demonstrates our support for well-being in the legal profession at large and is committed to fostering a healthy work environment.


 

 Pro Bono

 

undisclosed

90%

average pro bono
hours 
per US attorney    

    agreed the firm is committed to pro bono

 

The view from the firm: The Innocence Project (criminal justice); National Afghan Women’s Flag Football Team (asylum); Transformative Justice Law Project (LGBTQ+ rights).


 

 Sustainability & CSR

The view from the firm: We are particularly focused on sustainability and endeavor to minimize our carbon footprint. As part of our efforts to be transparent, we have completed the CDP Climate questionnaire, a global standard assessment for environmental impact disclosure. GT’s offices are net carbon neutral with respect to the firm’s global office energy usage, and are 100% powered by renewable energy.  We have targeted and successfully offset these annual emissions through a long-term agreement for the purchase of renewable energy certificates equal to our global electricity usage from a new-build wind farm and PV Solar generating facility.

As a global law firm, we do not have production facilities, distribution, or undertake in any industrial, mining, processing, or agricultural activities, or engage in any other carbon-intensive activities.  We are actively addressing our primary climate-related impact which is our Scope 2 emissions related to energy usage.  We will continue to examine our carbon footprint and will determine whether additional targets are needed.


 

Contact

Learn more about opportunities at the firm

Recruitment contact: Gtrecruiting@gtlaw.com