Can you put Green in Greenberg Traurig? by gimleteye

It is a little breathless: "CLIMATE CULTURE: SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION A CHALLENGE TO PUSH THE RESET BUTTON ON HOW YOU THINK ABOUT CREATING PROSPERITY: A SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION SYMPOSIUM".

The charitable organization sponsoring the symposium at the Mayfair Hotel and Spa on August 28th, "featuring an exhibition of some of the most important visionaries in sustainability", is Miami-based "Dream in Green"; a start up environmental group that has done a good job reaching into Miami Dade classrooms with information and curriculum like having kids understand their carbon footprint.

But the virtues of inclusivity should not be extended without comment or critique: I can't let the masthead for the event slip by without noting how it is dimmed by the presence of Miami law firm Greenberg Traurig as a sponsor.

Greenberg Traurig is a very large law firm, with offices scattered around the country. Its humble origins were advocating as a black hat on behalf of developers and land speculators in Miami Dade; in particular, municipal zoning and permitting.

In that area of practice, the firm in Miami always exercises its muscle vigorously-- cherishing its black hat image. It was no surprise to me that Jack Abramoff ended his legal and lobbying career in the firm's DC office.

In Miami, one of the least commendable aspects of the prevailing anti-environmental ethic that runs through the county commission is how smart attorneys wield lobbying influence in ways so damaging to the public interest.

Robert Traurig often lead his minions at the county commission podium, strategizing and contributing to battles against civic and conservation groups and their causes.

Now that the housing markets have crashed and zoning applications for suburban sprawl are dead as roadkill, now that condominiums and conversions are flat on their backs, I suppose its time for everyone to be a little dreamy and green, even Greenberg Traurig.