Mark E. Grantham has joined global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP to lead the firm’s Atlanta office as Commercial Litigation Practice co-chair alongside shareholder Richard J. Valladares. Grantham brings with him Ann M. Byrd, of counsel, who will focus on complex commercial litigation and product liability.

Grantham and Byrd’s hires represent Greenberg Traurig’s ongoing effort to recruit the profession’s pre-eminent attorneys, further strengthening its position in the legal marketplace.

“Mark represents every quality a Greenberg Traurig shareholder entails, including an established reputation, a strong client base, and a solid track record,” said Atlanta office Managing Shareholder Theodore I. Blum. “Our ability to consistently attract and retain top talent gives us a distinct competitive advantage. He and Ann together bring a powerful combination of leadership and skill, and we are confident their addition will greatly strengthen our already elite roster of litigators.”

Before joining Greenberg Traurig, Grantham served as the founding managing partner for the new Atlanta office of global law firm DLA Piper. His practice experience focuses on trial and appellate work, in both state and federal courts, and complex arbitration matters in domestic and international arbitration forums. He has been recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 United States, Georgia Trend Magazine, Atlanta Magazine, Law & Politics Magazine, and Best Lawyers in America.

Byrd also joins the firm from DLA Piper and has experience in all aspects of state and federal litigation, as well as international arbitration. In 2015, she was the recipient of a Fulton County Daily Report award for one of the top business verdicts in Georgia.

“The goals and philosophies of Greenberg Traurig’s leadership align with mine, as do the skill set and experience of the talented litigators who make up the Atlanta Litigation Practice group,” Grantham said. “This symmetry was a big part of why the firm and I both realized a partnership would not only work, but would thrive.”

“I’m also very pleased Ann joined me in this move,” Grantham continued. “Greenberg Traurig has one of the best commercial litigation practices in the world, and the firm will not only benefit from her strength in this area, but she from theirs as well.”

Grantham is joining a high caliber group of litigators in the Atlanta office that includes Ernest LaMont Greer, co-president of the firm; Lori G. Cohen, chair of the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device & Health Care Litigation Practice, chair of the Trial Practice Group, and co-chair of the Atlanta Litigation Practice; and David Long-Daniels, co-chair of the Global Labor & Employment Practice and chair of the Atlanta Labor & Employment Practice. Additionally, the Atlanta office was recently selected by the Daily Report as 2015 Litigation Department of the Year winner in two categories - Product Liability and Mass Torts and Labor and Employment.