The boutique law firm of Gelber Schachter & Greenberg, P.A. opened its doors in September, focusing on representing clients in complex civil litigation, white collar matters, and internal investigations. Gerald Greenberg and his two partners – Dan Gelber and Adam Schachter – have extensive experience trying cases in federal and state courts and representing a variety of public, private, corporate and individual clients.
“Our goal is to bring our top-level trial skills and the experience we gained at larger firms into a lean, small firm atmosphere,” said Greenberg. “This gives us the best opportunity to serve clients who desire effective, efficient representation and a direct personal relationship with their attorneys.”
After graduating from Yale Law School and clerking for two federal judges, including Eleventh Circuit Court Judge Stanley Marcus, Greenberg served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Miami, where he investigated and prosecuted significant federal matters. He left the US Attorney’s office to become a shareholder at Stearns Weaver, where he focused on complex commercial and employment litigation.
When Greenberg wanted to start a new venture, Gelber and Schachter made the perfect partners. Schachter, also a former federal law clerk, was Greenberg’s partner at Stearns Weaver, where he handled complex litigation, banking matters, and some of the region’s highest-profile financial industry trials. Gelber had served as a top federal prosecutor in South Florida, led the U.S. Senate’s Investigations Committee, and worked for some of Florida’s top firms. As a respected Florida state senator and Democratic nominee for Attorney General, he also brought a statewide reputation to the firm.
Greenberg is confident that his new firm can provide clients with the services they need. “The same skills are required in the civil and criminal arenas, and there aren’t too many firms where the same lawyers can pivot and do it all,” he said. “We’re nimble and built to move easily between different kinds of cases.”
Since it opened, the new firm has handled high-profile matters. For example, the firm represents a coalition of plaintiff s challenging the Senate and Congressional redistricting maps adopted by the Florida Legislature in 2012, and it is represents the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts in a lawsuit against Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac over unpaid documentary stamp taxes. On a pro bono basis, Greenberg is part of a team that represents a group of doctors and advocacy groups participating in a challenge to a Florida law that would prevent physicians from asking their patients about firearms.
Along with these cases, the firm has been retained by companies, individuals, and government entities to handle sensitive investigations of criminal and regulatory issues, while also representing civil clients in employment matters, contract disputes, and banking matters.
Asked what makes him stand out as an attorney, Greenberg noted that a top lawyer needs the combination of aptitude and compassion for his clients.
“To be effective, you need to write persuasively and argue powerfully,” he said, “but none of that matters if you don’t care about your clients. The personal investment in a client’s well-being is what separates a good lawyer from a great one.”
