Cesar Alvarez is a distinguished lawyer who is currently the president and chief executive officer Greenberg Traurig, LLP, one of the nation’s fastest rising law firms. Born on June 17, 1947 in Havana, Cuba, Cesar Alvarez came to the United States as a refugee in 1960. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree (1969), Masters in Business Administration (1970), and Juris Doctorate (1972) with highest honors from the University of Florida. Cesar Alvarez’ practice areas cover mergers and acquisitions, international law, aviation, corporate and securities, and capital markets, with more than 25 years of practice.

The leadership and lawyering skills of Cesar Alvarez did not go unnoticed, as evidenced by the many of awards and recognitions that he has received, including a “Lifetime Achievement Award” presented by Chambers USA Awards for Excellence in 2008, and Spirit of Excellence Awards in 2008 presented by the American Bar Association. Chosen by Super Lawyers magazine in 2007 and 2008 and listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Alvarez is also recognized as one of the “50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America” by The National Law Journal in 2008; one of the “100 Most Powerful People in Miami” by Miami Business Magazine; one of the “100 Most Influential Hispanics” by Hispanic Business; and one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” by The National Law Journal in 1997, 2000, and 2006.

One of the highlights in Alvarez’ career is how he has grown with the law firm Greenberg Traurig, being its CEO and President. He joined the firm in the early 1970s as the 13th lawyer on staff. In 1997, he was appointed president and CEO of the firm, and since then, the firm has expanded from 325 lawyers in eight offices in 1997 to more than 1,750 lawyers and lobbyists in about 35 locations in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Greenberg Traurig is now recognized as one of the fastest growing law firms in the United States. As of 2006, Traurig was the 16th largest law firm in the world by revenue; and by 2008, it was the 8th largest law firm in the United States by revenue. In 2007, Chambers and Partners selected Greenberg Traurig as “US Law Firm of the Year.”

Additionally, Cesar Alvarez helped establish the Florida International University College of Law and Florida A&M University College of Law.