Greenberg Traurig Expands Middle East Footprint with 50th Office in Abu Dhabi
The global law firm, Greenberg Traurig, has officially launched its 50th office in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an international financial centre in the UAE. The new office is the firm’s third in the Middle East, following openings in Dubai and Riyadh in 2023. Prominent finance and restructuring lawyer Christian Adams and mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and private equity lawyer Chris Lester, both joining from Latham & Watkins, will serve as co-managing shareholders of the Abu Dhabi office.
Richard A. Rosenbaum, Executive Chairman of Greenberg Traurig, said,
“The strategy of organic growth, rather than through mergers or vereins, continues to deliver exceptional results for clients and the firm worldwide. Strategic expansion in key financial and government centers — as well as emerging markets — has allowed the firm to consistently attract top legal talent. The empowering culture and business model enable Greenberg Traurig to serve clients through both local insight and global reach.”
He added,
“Opening the Abu Dhabi office represents the execution of the growth strategy at its finest. As the capital city of the UAE, this office complements the accelerated growth occurring in the Middle East. With top local and international legal talent across key practice areas including M&A, private equity, finance and restructuring, energy, digital infrastructure, real estate, hospitality, sports, media and entertainment, public policy, and disputes, Greenberg Traurig is well-positioned to support governments, government-related entities, and local and international conglomerates and investors driving this growth story.”
Khalid A. Al-Thebity, Middle East Regional Chair and Managing Shareholder of the Riyadh office, said,
“Launching three offices in the Middle East in two years is unique in the market. Few other firms can claim the roster of talent present in the sectors most important to regional growth. Both Christian and Chris exemplify that legal expertise: highly skilled, experienced, and respected throughout the region.”
Steven Bainbridge and Sarah Mahood, Co-Managing Shareholders of the Dubai office, commented,
“Christian and Chris are preeminent lawyers in Abu Dhabi and the UAE with 34 years of collective experience living in the UAE and working in the region. Their leadership further strengthens Greenberg Traurig’s ability to deliver exceptional client service and insight in this dynamic market.”
Christian Adams, based in the UAE since 2008, represents governments, government-related entities, corporations, sponsors, banks, and private credit lenders on complex financing transactions across the Middle East and internationally. His practice focuses on investment, hospitality, leisure, entertainment, energy, infrastructure, and real estate sectors, covering conventional and Islamic lending, refinancings, restructurings, distressed debt, private credit transactions, structured financing, securitizations, leveraged and acquisition financings, and real estate financings.
Adams said, “Joining a global law firm of Greenberg Traurig’s reputation, especially with the Abu Dhabi office launch, aligns with the commitment to supporting clients in the UAE and Abu Dhabi as the country establishes itself as a key driver of economic growth in the Middle East. The firm’s international platform enables service across both inbound and outbound investments, essential for client success and regional development.”
Chris Lester focuses on inbound and outbound M&A, private equity, joint ventures, investments, and corporate restructurings across AI and digital infrastructure, technology, life sciences and healthcare, and banking and financial services sectors. With over 25 years of professional experience across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Lester’s clients include Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, government-related entities, and global and regional private equity firms.
Lester added, “Serving clients within Greenberg Traurig’s unified culture of collaboration, legal excellence, and entrepreneurship provides the ideal environment to deliver outstanding service to Abu Dhabi and beyond.”
Greenberg Traurig’s Abu Dhabi office, operating as a branch of Greenberg Traurig, P.A., strengthens the firm’s global platform and presence in the Middle East.
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