Greenberg Traurig adds capital markets expert Alex Roussos, expanding regional strength
Greenberg Traurig has welcomed leading capital markets shareholder Alex Roussos, enhancing the firm’s capital markets offering in the region and globally. Roussos will practice in the firm’s UAE and KSA locations.
With more than 20 years’ experience advising on debt, regulatory capital, hybrid, and equity-linked capital markets transactions for governments, international, and regional financial institutions and large corporate entities across the Middle East and internationally, Roussos is a leader in the market.
Roussos’ hire aligns with Greenberg Traurig’s regional directive of hiring specific individuals who are strongly recognized for their reputation in their respective markets and strategic client base. The move will be complemented with the addition of three further prominent capital markets lawyers expected to join the firm in the coming weeks. A move which will bolster the firm’s capital markets offering cementing its position as a leading player both regionally and globally.
The regional team will integrate with Greenberg Traurig’s global Capital Markets industry group to advise clients on cross-border transactions, including publicly listed bond and sukuk (Shari’ah-compliant) offerings, high yield and investment grade debt offerings, both Rule 144A and Regulation S, regulatory capital (Basel III) issuances and liability management exercises. The team is one of the most experienced in the region, having been at the forefront of developments around Islamic financing techniques and new Sharia’h standards.
Roussos has a strong background practicing in elite global law firms, including his most recent service as managing partner and co-head of the Middle East banking and finance practice at Dentons in Dubai, prior to which he practiced at Norton Rose Fulbright and Clifford Chance.
“Over the decades, we have grown primarily by choosing individuals and teams in strategic areas, playing the long game, and placing our values and culture first,” said Richard A. Rosenbaum, Greenberg Traurig’s executive chairman. “Across the United States and around the world, we have grown to 2,850 lawyers in 49 markets with a wide range of diversified practices and industries without any merger, verein, or other structure that would diminish our culture as one, unified and collaborative law firm. This places clients first and trusts, respects, and empowers our lawyers on the ground. Alex joins from his position as managing partner of Dentons’ Dubai office and co-head of its Middle East banking and finance practice. He is a leading capital markets practitioner in finance, capital markets, regulatory capital, and beyond, and has been ranked over the past 10 years by Chambers Global for Capital Markets – Debt – United Arab Emirates and The Legal 500. We are thrilled to welcome him to the firm.”
Khalid A. Al-Thebity, Greenberg Traurig’s Middle East regional chair and managing shareholder of the KSA location, added, “Alex is a leading practitioner in the field of banking, finance, and capital markets with more than 20 years’ experience. He has acted on some of the most high-profile deals across the Gulf Cooperation Council, and we are extremely pleased to welcome him on board. Capital markets remains a core industry group for us in the region and Alex aligns perfectly with our commitment to hiring individuals who are strongly recognized for their reputation in their respective markets and strategic client base.”
“Alex has a phenomenal reputation, and we are confident that by collaborating with the leading teams on the ground, we will continue to provide an even more succinct offering to our clients in the region and internationally,” co-managing shareholders of Greenberg Traurig’s UAE location Steven Bainbridge and Sarah Mahood said in a joint statement.
Roussos added, “I am delighted to have officially joined the Greenberg Traurig community, a firm which from the outset has demonstrated their commitment to the region and entrepreneurial spirit. Capital markets are a vital component of any financial system, and the opportunities really are endless. Greenberg Traurig’s freedom within a framework approach defines how firms should be prepared to adapt and innovate to support clients throughout their entire journey. I am looking forward to the prospect of helping grow the team both regionally and globally, presenting the strength and depth of our offering to clients in key jurisdictions where we are present, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, London, New York, Singapore, and Tokyo, as well as more broadly across the Gulf Cooperation Council and the wider Middle East – including key markets such as Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar.”
