Riley Lagesen

Riley Lageson JD ’03 has joined Greenberg Traurig’s new restaurant industry group in Portland as a shareholder and chair. Lagesen moved to the firm after working at Davis Wright Tremaine for over 15 years. During his time at Davis Wright, he served as a partner, as well as the founder and chair of its own restaurant industry practice. “Riley and his team are a perfect fit for Greenberg Traurig’s client-focused culture,” Chief Executive Officer Brian Duffy said. “They will add another dimension to our already strong practices in the areas of food and beverage, hospitality, and real estate. We also expect there will be tremendous synergies with the services we can provide restaurant clients through our global platform.” In his practice, Lagesen serves as lead outside counsel to brands and investors in the restaurant industry, advising them on finance and development strategies. In addition, he represents celebrities in their food and drink endeavors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked with one of his clients, Guy Fieri, in cofounding the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, which raised around $23 million and provided some 40,000 grants to restaurant employees affected by the emergency. Before his legal career began, Lagesen worked in the restaurant industry. He serves on the board of trustees of the Culinary Institute of America. “Joining Greenberg Traurig is a dream scenario for our clients, our team, and our ability to advocate on behalf of the restaurant industry,” Lagesen said. “The firm is uniquely qualified with its experience, size, and geographic footprint to assist clients, from private to public, with all transactional needs.”