Greenberg Traurig has lost three Miami partners in the last week, including Jim Leshaw, the longtime head of the firm's Florida business reorganization and restructuring practice.
Leshaw, a 25-year veteran of Greenberg, left to launch Leshaw Law with offices in downtown Miami and Key Biscayne.
"I had 25 great years at Greenberg, but I'm looking to do something different," he said. "I want to do some mediations and arbitrations and do some outside general counsel to companies here and in Latin America, and that's not something that's possible to do at a big firm."
Leshaw did not take any Greenberg lawyers with him and intends to practice as a solo attorney.
Mark Bloom, national co-chair of Greenberg's business reorganization and restructuring group, and partner Paul Keenan will take over Leshaw's duties heading the Florida practice group, Bloom said in a statement.
"Jim is a dear friend of the firm and our attorneys continue to work with him," said a Greenberg spokeswoman. "The move better accommodated a lifestyle change for him."
Also departing Greenberg last week were Jeffrey Tenen and Israel Sanchez, both Miami partners specializing in aviation law. The duo moved to Hughes Hubbard & Reed's Miami office as counsel. Along with Tenen and Sanchez, former Shook Hardy & Bacon partner Rafael Cruz-Alvarez joined Hughes Hubbard last week.
Tenen represents domestic and foreign air carriers, leasing companies and lenders, while Sanchez structures financing and leasing transactions for the sale of aircraft and aircraft parts.
Nick Swerdloff, Miami managing partner for Hughes Hubbard, said Tenen and Sanchez will complement the work done by the firm's Latin American practice.
"Jeff and Israel leave behind many friends among our strong, global corporate and aviation practices. Change is inevitable and many times change is positive. We wish them well in this new phase of their careers," the Greenberg spokeswoman said.
