Michael Kreitzer Michael Kreitzer with Greenberg Traurig. (Courtesy photo)

Michael Kreitzer joined Greenberg Traurig as shareholder this month after more than 16 years at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod, where he formerly chaired the firm's litigation group.

Kreitzer said he didn't consider any other firms and said the impetus behind his move to Greenberg in Miami was his clients.

“As time passed and I began to develop clients who had both a national and international platform … I needed to be affiliated with a firm that could service those clients,” Kreitzer said.

Kreitzer identified Merz North America, a specialty health care company, and Starwood Property Trust, which bills itself as the largest commercial real estate investment trust in U.S., as clients that are particularly fitted to Greenberg's larger platform. Greenberg Traurig also cited LNR Property, Luxury Brand Partners, Berkadia, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and ex- Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade as current or former clients of Kreitzer.

“We are privileged to have a litigator of Michael's stature working with us and are very pleased to welcome him to Greenberg Traurig, where our clients will benefit from his wide-ranging experience,” said Miami co-managing shareholder Jaret Davis.

Kreitzer, who left Bilzin on July 2, said the transition has been smooth. He said he expects one other lawyer to follow him as partner at Greenberg.

“Michael Kreitzer has been a valued partner and friend for years, and we wish him the best,” Albert Dotson Jr., managing partner of Bilzin Sumberg, said in a statement.

“Bilzin Sumberg's litigation group will continue to be led by partners Mitch Widom, Phil Stein, and Bob Turken,” Dotson added. “Under their leadership this group of more than 30 attorneys has participated in some of the most complex and sophisticated litigation matters both locally and nationally.”

Bilzin, with a single office in Miami, had an average head count of 90 lawyers in 2018, according to ALM data. The firm said its profits per equity partner reached $1.41 million last year.

“As one of Florida's preeminent commercial law firms, Bilzin Sumberg is young compared to the long-established Am Law 100 firms that the firm goes toe-to-toe [with],” the firm said in statement. “Over the past decade, profits per equity partner and revenue per lawyer consistently out-ranked Florida's Am Law 100 and 200 firms.”

Greenberg Traurig's largest office is in New York, according to ALM data, but it was founded in Miami and has strong South Florida roots. The firm's partner profits were up 7.1% last year, to $1.75 million. Greenberg Traurig ranked 14th on the 2019 Am Law 100, as measured by gross annual revenue, which climbed north of $1.5 billion last year.

Read More

Strong LatAm, Private Equity Performances Push Up Profits for Greenberg Traurig

Bilzin Sumberg Reports Down Year in 2017 After Earning Big Fees the Year Before

Bilzin Advises on $285M Loan for Miami Condo Construction