Greenberg Traurig Expands Hospitality and Real Estate Practices

Global law firm Greenberg Traurig has strengthened its Real Estate and Hospitality practices with the addition of cross-border attorneys Carlos A. Sugich and Carlos Freaner, both joining from Snell & Wilmer.

Sugich joins as co-chair of the Americas Hospitality Group in Phoenix and Mexico, while Freaner joins as a shareholder in Mexico.

Building on the firm’s Mexico City office of more than 70 attorneys, Greenberg Traurig is expanding its cross-border capabilities in Mexico and key hospitality markets through a new presence in Los Cabos, where Sugich will serve as managing shareholder. Sugich previously led the launch of his former firm’s Los Cabos office nearly two decades ago.

According to the firm, the expansion enhances its ability to support clients across Mexico and internationally through its global platform.

Brian L. Duffy, CEO of Greenberg Traurig, said the expansion of the firm’s hospitality and real estate platform in Phoenix and Mexico reflects continued investment in strategic markets and further strengthens its cross-border capabilities across the United States, Mexico, and other jurisdictions.

Licensed in Arizona and Mexico, Sugich has more than 20 years of experience advising U.S. and international clients on domestic and cross-border real estate, hospitality, and development transactions. His practice includes acquisitions, development, joint ventures, financing, and operational matters across the United States, Mexico, and Latin America, with a focus on hospitality, master-planned resort communities, mixed-use projects, and private golf and social club membership plans. He also advises on international expansions and matters related to nearshoring and manufacturing in Mexico.

Freaner represents national and international investors, hotel and resort operators, and developers in hospitality-focused real estate and M&A transactions across Mexico. His experience includes acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, financings, hotel agreements, condominium developments, and leasing, as well as advising luxury resorts, golf courses, master-planned communities, lenders, and borrowers in complex real estate financing projects.

Michael J. Baum, co-president of Greenberg Traurig and co-chair of the firm’s Global Real Estate Practice, said Sugich had worked alongside the firm on numerous sophisticated transactions over the years and that both Sugich and Freaner further strengthen the firm’s Real Estate and Hospitality practices in Phoenix and Mexico.

In addition to his legal practice, Sugich is active in the Phoenix community. He is a member and past president of the Thunderbirds nonprofit organization and previously served as tournament chairman of the WM Phoenix Open.

Nicole M. Goodwin and Jeremy D. Zangara, co-managing shareholders of the firm’s Phoenix office, said Sugich’s arrival reflects the firm’s commitment to Phoenix and its ability to attract top-tier legal talent.

Sugich stated that he and Freaner look forward to expanding the firm’s presence in Phoenix and Los Cabos and leveraging Greenberg Traurig’s global platform and hospitality and real estate capabilities to serve clients in key U.S. and international markets.

Sugich earned an LL.M. in international legal studies from New York University School of Law and a J.D. equivalent from Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Law.

Freaner earned an LL.M. from University of San Diego School of Law and a J.D. equivalent from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.

gtlaw.com