Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP welcomes another timely strategic hire to its London office with the addition of Ian Jack, former Co-Head of Global Restructuring & Insolvency at Baker & McKenzie and leader of its London practice. Jack joins as a Shareholder in the firm’s Global Restructuring & Bankruptcy and Banking and Finance Practices, and had been with his prior firm for more than two decades. He advises clients on a broad range of restructurings as well as banking and finance transactions.
“I have been around a long time, but all countries, businesses and law firms are no doubt facing an unprecedented period of disruption, change and challenges,” said Richard A. Rosenbaum, Executive Chairman of Greenberg Traurig.
“Protecting the health of our people and their families, and collaborating among our entire range of practices and global locations to urgently respond to our clients’ needs and deliver extraordinary value, are our first priorities,” Rosenbaum continued. “We just concluded our strongest year on record by any measure, and began 2020 in the same manner, but we all know we are facing new challenges given the coronavirus, oil price wars, stock market gyrations, and the uncertainties stemming from all of those circumstances. But even as we exercise even greater discipline in the operation of our business in every way, we also are poised to grasp uniquely strong opportunities to further enhance and balance our practices and firm, and to deliver what our clients need — Ian Jack presented such an opportunity, in terms of his practice focus, his proven excellence, his experience, his cultural fit, and his wealth of relationships. We are excited to welcome him to the GT family!”
Greenberg Traurig’s London office now has more than 85 lawyers, consisting of a large Corporate Practice, including Banking & Financial Services, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Private Equity; a significant Real Estate practice; and with Litigation and Tax rounding out the team. Firmwide, Greenberg Traurig’s Corporate Practice, including M&A and Private Equity lawyers, has added more than 330 lawyers since 2015. Its global Real Estate Practice also grew significantly with the addition of more than 80 lawyers in Europe and more than 215 globally since 2015. The global Tax Practice has grown by approximately 40 in the same period.
“Greenberg Traurig has ALWAYS been about excellence, strong personal relationships with our clients and delivering real value. Notwithstanding all the changes and new competitive forces in the legal industry, especially in times of greater uncertainty and risk, clients still want legal advisors and counsellors who they can trust, who have their backs and who know their business. And where lawyers on the ground feel trusted, respected and empowered,” Rosenbaum added.
“We are proud to continue to grow in the areas of expertise that clients seek in addressing their legal needs on a global basis. Ian’s broad range of experience demonstrates his unwavering commitment to service clients at the highest levels.” said Fiona Adams, Managing Shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s London office and co-chair of the firm’s global Corporate Practice.
Representative transactions where Jack assisted clients include advising on the sale of an airline; acting for the steering committee of creditors in the restructuring of the USD $16.7 billion of financial indebtedness of the leading Kazakh bank; advising clients in connection with the EURO 1.6 billion project financing for the construction and operation of a tolled section of the Berlin to Moscow highway; advising the senior lenders in relation to the debt restructuring and receivership sale of the Gherkin skyscraper in London; and, advising a client in relation to the EURO 14 billion financing for its bid for Portugal Telecom, among others.
“Greenberg Traurig’s collaborative approach to answering clients’ needs and challenges in the most efficient manner possible is important to me and my practice,” Jack said. “I am very familiar with the team in London and look forward to working with them and firm members across the globe.”
Jack received an L.S.F. from the College of Law at Guildford, and an LL.B. from the University of Exeter. He is admitted to practice in England and Wales. Jack is a Solicitor and JIEB qualified. He is a member of INSOL International and served as Co-Technical Chair for INSOL Dubai in 2016. Jack has been recognised by Chambers UK and Legal 500 for his restructuring, project finance, acquisition finance experience, and other areas.
