Greenberg Traurig Co-Founder, Legal Titan Robert H. Traurig, Has Died

Robert H. Traurig, one of three lawyers who launched  Greenberg Traurig in Miami, passed away Tuesday morning, the Daily Business Review has learned.

Traurig, who passed away at the age of 93, founded Greenberg Traurig alongside Mel Greenberg and Larry J. Hoffman in 1967 according to the firm’s website.

Their goal had been to establish a law firm that mirrored the collaborative spirit and client-oriented values of New York City law firms of that time, according to Greenberg Traurig marketing material. It would seem they succeeded, given the firm’s global status as one of the most powerful players in the legal sector.

Today, the firm Traurig helped build employs 1,944 attorneys and is the ninth largest in the United States, according to the National Law Journal’s 2018 NLJ 500 ranking of firms based on size. Its gross revenue hovered near $1.48 billion in 2017, placing it 14th on The American Lawyer’s 2018 Am Law 200 ranking. Greenberg Traurig is the 19th highest grossing law firm in the world, according to the 2016 Global 100 survey.

Traurig’s longtime friends and colleagues remembered him fondly.

“Bob was an extraordinary fellow, both as a human being and as a lawyer,” Cesar L. Alvarez, 71, former CEO and current senior chairman of Greenberg Traurig told Daily Business Review. “A lot of the growth of Miami is built on Bob Traurig being able to change zoning laws, help clients and improve life here in Miami. He was unique in that respect.”

Traurig moved to Miami in 1939 at age 14 from from Waterbury, Connecticut. After serving in the U.S. Navy as a communications officer from 1943 through 1946, he enrolled at the University of Miami. He first graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, but later returned to the school to earn his law degree. Two years later, he was a practicing attorney.

Traurig focused his storied career on administrative law, government relations and real estate litigation. His deep knowledge of zoning and development made him the “go-to” attorney for Miami-Dade builders in the city’s post-World War II boom, according to a 2011 story on him in Miami Law, a University of Miami Law School  publication that counted Traurig among its most distinguished alumni and generous benefactors.

Those who knew him credit the attorney as being instrumental in the exponential growth of both his firm and its initial home city, thanks to his enthusiasm and expertise, which made him an important player in Miami affairs.

Although he was not practicing law at the time of his passing, Traurig remained engaged with the city and its civic community, having served as a director of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, a Board of Trustees member of the Beth David Congregation, and past chairman of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, according to Miami Law. He also served as the chairman of the Miami Region of the National Conference of Christian and Jews, and was a member of the University of Miami’s Citizen’s Board.

Traurig was infatuated with Miami, having once referred to the Magic City “the most beautiful place” he had ever seen. His impact on the city is perceptible beyond just the legal profession, with the city’s splendor and enduring popularity due in part to his contributions.

Alvarez attributes the firm’s commitment to diversity, community and philanthropy to Traurig and the culture he helped to foster as a co-founder.

“A lot of the traditions that we have at the firm still come from him,” Alvarez said. “So Bob is very much alive in a sense. We always called him the heart and soul of the firm.”

Traurig is survived by his spouse of 65 years, Jacqueline Block-Traurig, his daughters Madeline and Wendy, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.