Greenberg Traurig ended merger talks with London-based Berwin Leighton Paisner in March amid concerns about the U.K. firm’s practice mix and culture. The leadership at Greenberg Traurig had also become disillusioned with BLP’s management, according to several people close to the discussions.
Still, the merger talks represented a significant step for the Miami-based firm. Greenberg Traurig has grown rapidly, launching new offices in Germany, Israel, Japan, Poland and South Korea since 2012, but it has never undertaken a large-scale combination. In addition to reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading real estate practices, the BLP merger would have offered Greenberg Traurig a significantly enhanced presence in London.
