Ronald Kleinman, the managing partner of Greenberg Traurig's Washington office, is leaving to open the new D.C. office of Coral Gables, Fla.-based Colson Hicks Eidson, the Florida firm said today.
Colson Hicks Eidson partner Joseph Matthews said Kleinman's last day at Greenberg Traurig is today, and he starts work at Colson Hicks on Monday. Kleinman could not be reached for comment. Kleinman and Matthews will be the only two lawyers, Matthews said, but the firm expects the office to grow.
The office will focus on commercial litigation and international arbitration, Matthews said.
Matthews said that Colson Hicks wanted to move into Washington to work with and compete against larger law firms using contingency and alternative billing arrangements. Matthews said, “International arbitration has been the domain of large law firms, but we feel we can punch above our weight class and we’re looking forward to being involved in that area.”
Kleinman has been the managing partner of Greenberg Traurig’s Washington office for the past seven years. His practice focuses on international and treaty law, and has been involved with efforts to secure compensation for victims of international terrorism. He also counsels clients on insurance coverage litigation matters. From 1984 through 1989, he served as deputy assistant legal adviser in the State Department.
Matthews, who has been a partner at Colson Hicks since l989, will be splitting his time between D.C. and South Florida. He advises clients on commercial litigation matters and international arbitration issues.
Matthews said Colson Hicks has had a long-running relationship with Greenberg Traurig and will be subleasing office space from Greenberg. He said the new office is expected to open in early March.
In a statement, Greenberg Traurig said, that the Washington office will now be headed by Laura Klaus and Sanford Saunders. Klaus focuses her practice on appellate litigation, and Saunders focuses his practice on complex civil litigation and white collar criminal defense.
Here is Greenberg Traurig’s statement: “We thank Ron Kleinman for his contributions to our firm as he embarks on a different path. We wish him well and look forward to collaborating with his new firm in the future as we have in the past. We are very pleased that Laura Klaus and Sandy Saunders have agreed to take on the management responsibilities for our Washington office. They have each been successful shareholders and leaders in our office for years, are great role models for our quality and culture, and the transition has been seamless.”
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