Holland & Knight LLP > Austin, United States > Firm Profile

Holland & Knight LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 1

Noted by clients for its ability to ‘deliver on both structure and execution’, Holland & Knight LLP’s ‘very solid M&A group’ has a wide national and international reach, with cross-border deals involving Europe and Canada making up a significant area of focus for the team. Key industries for the team include consumer products, financial services and energy. A Florida-based trio of David Barkus, George Mencio and Robert Grammig leads the practice: Grammig, who is described as the ‘hardest working M&A attorney in Florida’, stands out for his experience with public M&A, while Mencio is noted for his international trade expertise and Barkus is an expert on private equity-backed deals. In Denver, Stephen Dietrich is a key contact for transactions in the retail automotive space. Philadelphia lawyer Paul Jaskot is active across sectors including materials and wealth management. Adam August has a strong track record in heavily regulated transactions and is based in the firm’s Tysons office, while Tampa-based partner Alyse Latour is well versed in defense, aerospace and government services M&A.

Real estate > Land use/zoning Tier 1

Holland & Knight LLP‘s team encompasses a consortium of nationwide offices capable of handling complex land use, planning, and zoning matters. In Miami, Joseph Goldstein and departmental co-head Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz advise a range of clients on land use aspects of their developments, often leveraging the firm's environmental capabilities to advise on the regulatory and transactional aspects of projects and joint ventures. In New York, co-head of the department Joe Guay and Kenneth Lowenstein offer advice on affordable housing, zoning and re-zoning, and development rights, with a strong focus on development and finance matters that concern the hospitality sector. In Washington DC, the team assists clients with urban land use and development matters, including historic preservation and municipal law issues in complex, mixed-use developments and affordable housing projects, with Christine Shiker serving as a key contact for foreign governments and embassy clients for advice on on land use matters.

Transport > Aviation and air travel: finance Tier 1

Key areas of expertise for Holland & Knight LLP‘s aviation practice include joint ventures, global insolvencies, and large mergers and asset sales. The team also assists with alternative financing and investment structures in the aviation sector, along with aviation asset-related capital markets deals. Clients further mandate the group to advise on the leasing, financing, purchasing and sale of aircraft, engines and parts. Working between Chicago and New York, Latin America specialist Phillip Durham represents leasing companies in cross-border aviation financings. In San Francisco, Nathan Leavitt focuses on transactions involving airlines that operate in Latin America; Brian Daigle acts for aircraft lessors, airlines and financiers; and the expertise of asset finance specialist Audrey Sung encompasses commercial jet and turboprop aircraft. Over in New York, the practice of aircraft financing and leasing expert John Pritchard includes securitizations; and Richard Furey advises on asset and infrastructure finance. In Miami, Donald Gray‘s workload covers aircraft finance transactions, and aerospace commercial and regulatory law; and William Coleman assists with general finance, asset and structured deals. Laura Lewis in New York and San Francisco-based Danielle Santucci are other names to note. In early 2024, commercial aircraft finance specialist Cynthia Liu joined from Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP.

Energy > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 2

Holland & Knight LLP’s team has significant experience in representing oil and gas operators, national oil companies and service providers in a range of energy-related disputes, including oil and gas class actions, oil and gas lease disputes, royalty litigations, and toxic tort disputes in the oil and gas industry. The team is jointly led by Austin-based Juan Alcalá, who focuses on complex litigation involving Latin America, and Dallas-based Greg Binns, known for his expertise in oil and gas and energy-related litigation, including well allocation, title issues and joint operating agreements. Other key contacts in the Dallas office include Craig Haynes, who is routinely retained by major oil and gas companies and facility owners for royalty disputes, class actions and price disputes, and Gregory Curry, whose extensive practice includes royalty disputes, title issues and joint operating agreement claims.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 2

Having upgraded its offering in renewable energy with several hires towards the end of 2022, Holland & Knight LLP has acted for major clients on the gamut of project agreements, as well as supporting investors and developers with M&A and tax matters. The broad department is coordinated by four lawyers with disparate expertise: renowned expert in solar, wind and energy storage projects, Justin Boose (Los Angeles); Stephen Humes (New York), an experienced name in renewable energy project finance and development; public policy lawyer Mark Kalpin (Boston); and Amish Shah (Washington DC), whose practice focuses on tax matters in the energy sector. In Houston, Ram Sunkara and George Humphrey are both key members of the practice group, and in Washington DC, Taite McDonald is a name to note for cross-government matters.

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 2

Holland & Knight LLP houses a team of ‘fantastic negotiators’, advising and representing EPC contractors on major infrastructure projects, while handling a range of high-profile contentious and non-contentious matters, including P3 projects and disputes. Operating from the firm’s Washington DC and New York offices, Stephen Shapiro co-leads the team alongside Orlando-based Ben Subin, handling the full range of federal government contract work and commercial litigation. The group’s capabilities in advising on large-scale real estate developments and heavy construction are further bolstered by Robert Bernstein, who spearheads the construction practice in New York. Other key contacts in the New York office include Adam Paterno and Monte Starr, handling litigation mandates for contactors, subcontractors, and construction managers.

Real estate Tier 2

Holland & Knight LLP has continued to expand its national offering with the March 2023 addition of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, known for its Tennessee presence along with its expertise in the health sector in particular. With heads in New York and Miami, the large practice is involved in a broad set of sizeable development and transaction matters. This includes sizeable mandates relating to condominiums, the redevelopment of downtown Tampa, along with involvement in the development of the Tennessee Titan’s stadium in Nashville. Under the leadership of New York office’s Joe Guay, who also serves as co-chair of the hospitality, resort and timeshare group, and Miami’s Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz, the real estate team continues to provide an array of services covering acquisitions, dispositions, lease work, land use, and financings, to name a few. Stuart Saft leads the New York real estate practice group; he also co-chairs the condominium development and conversion team and has specialisms in areas including conversion-to-condominium and cooperative ownership. In Dallas, Mark Sloan is particularly active on shopping center and multifamily transactions and developments together with his representation of lenders on workouts and foreclosures. Margot Mendelson Hammond is another key name for lease finance and lending, advising out of Boston.

Transport > Aviation and air travel: litigation and regulation Tier 2

Offering ’excellent expertise in all matters of aviation law’, Holland & Knight‘s aviation practice is based predominantly in New York, Washington DC, Florida, Illinois, and California. The group consistently acts for both US and foreign airlines in major litigation arising out of high-profile airline crashes. It also handles disputes over aircraft leases, passenger claims, and class actions involving US and international law. On the regulatory side, the team assists with licensing issues, regulatory compliance, competition analysis, and defense-side enforcement matters. The department additionally handles aviation trade work (including high-profile disputes over traffic rights) and the regulatory aspects of airline commercial alliances and mergers. Firm-wide litigation section leader Christopher Kelly defends airlines and manufacturers (and their insurers) against suits brought throughout the US; and Steven Raffaele and Judy Nemsick are also experienced aviation litigators. Over in DC, Anita Mosner is ‘a true expert in her field’, while Benjamin Allen is a June 2023 hire from the  US National Transportation Safety Board, where he spent over a decade. All attorneys listed are in New York unless otherwise stated.

Transport > Rail and road: litigation and regulation Tier 2

With ‘significant industry experience that is relevant to clients’ operations’, Holland & Knight‘s widely-respected rail practice acts as counsel to Class I railroads such as BNSF Railway Company. It also represents several Class II and Class III regional railroads. On the road transportation side, the practice operates from several of the firm’s offices, including Jacksonville, DC, Tampa, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles, and it represents motor carriers, logistics companies, freight brokers, automotive companies, manufacturers, shippers, and app-based gig economy companies. The practice’s expertise ranges from litigation and arbitration to regulatory and governmental matters, and the firm’s highly-regarded public policy and regulation group also fields a sizeable transportation team. In Jacksonville, William Byrne, who is ‘strongly recommended to everyone’, has longstanding experience in rail, road, intermodal and ocean transportation, including warehousing and supply chain issues, while Jameson Rice predominantly practices in road, rail and intermodal transportation and logistics, as well as ocean transportation. The group further includes Dallas-based Charles Shewmake, a specialist in railroad-related litigation and regulatory work; and Linda Auerbach Allderdice in Los Angeles, who has extensive transportation sector experience.

Transport > Shipping: finance Tier 2

Holland & Knight LLP routinely acts for both US and foreign banks, as well as investors and shipping companies that are active in international shipping transactions. The group also represents non-traditional sources of ship financing, including governmental finance support entities, non-bank lenders, and underwriters in capital markets and private equity transactions. The team additionally acts for lenders and borrowers on Jones Act compliant domestic financings, and fields experts in US, Marshall Islands and Liberia-related tax issues. Other areas of strength are lender-side shipping group restructurings, workouts and Chapter 11 insolvencies. Recent highlights include assisting International Seaways with senior secured financings and marine integration activities (following its merger with Diamond S Shipping). Maritime finance practice head Jovi Tenev has extensive experience in representing banks and other financiers and companies in major shipping financings; and Richard Furey regularly represents vessel owners, lenders and charterers in a range of leasing and finance deals. Over in  Washington DC, Gerald Morrissey III advises on the financing of maritime-related companies and projects. All attorneys listed are based in the firm’s New York office unless otherwise mentioned.

Transport > Shipping: litigation and regulation Tier 2

Holland & Knight is consistently sought out to handle US-related maritime incidents. Recent workloads include supply chain ensnarement-related litigation and proceedings before the Federal Maritime Commission, and the representation of shipper companies seeking recoupment for charges imposed during the pandemic. The team is also active in cargo loss work, while its full-service status facilitates the leveraging of antitrust, sanctions, energy, environmental, and tax specialisms. The practice is further mandated on a daily basis to advise on shipping regulatory issues, including Coast Guard and related matters, customs and border protection issues, carriage of dangerous goods, Office of Foreign Asset Control matters, embargoes, economic sanctions, and International Maritime Organization conventions. National transportation and infrastructure industry co-chair Christopher Nolan ‘provides practical and actionable advice’; Michael Frevola acts in maritime arbitrations and court proceedings; James Power‘s practice encompasses admiralty law; and Vincent Foley focuses predominantly on international transportation litigation and arbitration. Over in Houston, Michael Cavanaugh is a shipbuilding legislative and regulatory expert; and Julia Haines acts in offshore energy and traditional maritime litigation. All advisers are based in New York unless otherwise mentioned.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

Holland & Knight LLP fields a robust team of experienced oil and gas transactional lawyers who routinely represent a range of multinational and independent oil and gas companies, private equity and petrochemical companies across the full spectrum of oil and gas transactions. These range from mergers and acquisitions, lease interpretations, and midstream commercial agreements, to divestitures of federal offshore oil and gas leases, land acquisitions and sales related to refinery plant expansions. Co-head of the oil and gas subsector group Seth Belzley is one of the main contacts, splitting his time between Denver and Houston and advising clients from the pipeline, midstream, oil and gas, renewable fuels, and solar industries. From Denver, fellow co-chair Robert Dougherty specializes in acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures related to oil and gas properties and exploration and production companies, while Dallas’ Andy Derman leads the firm’s international energy practice and is well-versed in oil and gas investment projects and cross-border transactions. Ram Sunkara, based between Houston and Atlanta, is noted for his expertise in complex mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and project finance transactions across the oil and gas sectors.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: middle-market (Up to $500m) Tier 3

Holland & Knight recently expanded its capabilities in life sciences transactions through a merger with Tennessee-based healthcare boutique Waller Landsen Dortch & Davis in March 2023, adding to a team of private equity specialists with a strong presence in the South that maintains close relationships with established regional sponsors such as Falfurrias Capital and Warren Equity. In addition to its healthcare work, the team handles a prolific volume of middle-market buyouts, recapitalizations, growth investments, and exits in sectors such as energy, defense, and tech. Healthcare and financial services expert David Barkus and cross-border M&A specialist George Mencio are based in Miami and jointly head up the team together with Tampa-based lawyer Robert Grammig, who focuses on public M&A. Charlotte lawyer Rick Bange is a key contact for leveraged buyouts and growth equity matters, while Chattanooga partner Roddy Bailey, who joined the team as part of the March 2023 merger, handles both venture capital and private equity work. In Boston, Rebecca Wilsker is especially recommended for matters in the tech sector.

Tax > International tax Tier 3

Holland & Knight LLP advises multinational corporations, HNWIs, family offices, entrepreneurs, foundations, and other private clients in domestic and cross-border tax matters including tax matters involving estate planning, family businesses, fiduciaries, trustees, and charitable giving. The practice is co led by Miami-based Kevin Packman, Stewart Kasner, William Sherman, and William Sharp, who splits his time between the Atlanta, Tampa and San Francisco offices. Packman concentrates his practice on advising US and domestic high-net-worth private clients on tax and trusts and estates matters. Kasner advises ultra-high-net-worth foreign and domestic clients on US federal income, gift and estate tax matters associated with their cross-border investments, including U.S. real estate investments and business activities, as well as pre-immigration tax planning. Sherman provides sophisticated tax planning for M&A, restructurings, joint ventures and investments for clients in diverse industries, including hospitality, petrochemicals, aluminum, tobacco, real estate, transportation, telecoms, retailing, investment management, pharmaceuticals and numerous others. Sharp advises US-based and foreign-based companies, as well as high-net-worth individuals and family offices (both US and non-US based family offices), on domestic and international tax controversy as well as cross border tax planning matters.  Joshua David Odintz, who is based in Washington DC, supports clients with obtaining changes in tax reform bills and FATCA regulations and focuses his practice on tax controversy and withholding tax matters. In Dallas, Mary McNulty has extensive experience litigating cross-border matters.  

Tax > Not-for-profit (Fortune 1000 private foundations, national trade associations, and charities) Tier 3

Holland & Knight‘s practice advises a diverse client base of nonprofits and tax-exempt groups on the full gamut of relevant matters, with expertise in tax compliance, corporate governance, endowments, and restructurings, as well as audits and other tax controversy issues. Jason Havens and Kelly Hellmuth, both of whom are based in Jacksonville, co-lead the team alongside David Rosenberg and Jonathan Blum, who work from Dallas. Blum, who has a long history in the practice area, joined the firm in February 2023 from Polsinelli PC alongside Andrew Grumet and Christina Cahill, who joined the New York office in August.

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 3

Holland & Knight LLP is a trusted choice for major corporations and large family estates, with expertise at the administrative, trial, and appeals court levels. Co-leading the tax controversy group within the firm are Mary McNulty, who is based in Dallas, and William Sharp, who works from Atlanta. McNulty has particular strength in the energy sector, while Sharp is in particular noted for his aptitude in international tax matters. Dallas lawyer Abbey Garber has over 30 years of experience in the practice area, with a record in both civil and criminal issues. Also in Dallas is Lee Meyercord, who focuses on federal tax disputes and acts on behalf of both prominent corporations and high net worth individuals. Amish Shah works from Washington DC and is highly active in the energy sector.

Healthcare > Service providers Tier 4

Jointly led by Maria Currier, Jeffrey Mittleman and Jennifer Weaver, the team at Holland & Knight LLP handles an increasing number of mandates involving consolidation within the service providers sector. Working out of the Florida office, Currier utilizes her medical background to assist clients with regulatory issues, and Shannon Hartsfield is noted for her broad knowledge of healthcare data breaches and the regulatory aspects of transactions. Based in Tennessee, Weaver’s primary areas of expertise include FCA litigation and government investigations, while Mittleman is a key name within the Massachusetts practice. In the New York office, Brian Platton is noted for his longstanding expertise in the structuring of joint ventures and M&A.

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 4

Holland & Knight draws upon its multifaceted experience to offer a full-service advisory and litigation practice in the ERISA space. A particular specialism of the firm is the vulnerability of insurance providers to serious fraud within the healthcare benefits arena with a dedicated team assisting clients to recuperate assets from fraudulent claims. The team are regularly engaged in complex litigation around both health and welfare benefit plans representing plan participants, fiduciaries, service providers and investment managers. ‘Skilled legal strategist’ Todd Wozniak leads the team from his Atlanta office, defending private companies and public institutions on ERISA litigation, ESOPs and wider labor and employment issues. Florida-based Lindsey Camp has considerable expertise defending class actions, ERISA breach of fiduciary duty actions, ESOPs amongst other significant matters.    

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 4

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 4

Recommended for its ‘strong knowledge of cyber law in US’ and internationally, the data strategy, security and privacy team at Holland & Knight LLP fields a growing team of experienced practitioners with expertise in data-driven project counselling, technology related transactions and government policy compliance. Team head Mark Melodia, in New York, combines consumer class action defense experience with cyber law knowledge to support clients through investigations and disputes related to data security -in Philadelphia, Paul Bond is another key name for disputes matters. Atlanta-based Elizabeth Hinson is a go-to for incident response matters. Wendell Bartnick departed the team in March 2023.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 4

At Holland & Knight LLP, the outsourcing and tech transactions department undertakes a broad range of ITO and BPO transactions, often working with financial services institutions, logistics companies, and global hospitality groups. James Paine chairs the practice from the Atlanta office and concentrates on cloud solutions, ERP licensing, strategic services arrangements, and IT infrastructure operations. Paine also advises on the outsourcing of finance and accounting and HR services. Also in Atlanta is corporate attorney Sarah Parker, who handles ITO matters, managed network services, tech licensing, and systems integration. Chicago-based Glynna Christian assists clients with strategic transactions involving blockchain and payment solutions.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 4

Holland & Knight LLP‘s real estate finance and real estate capital markets practice has numerous locations all over America with practice heads and finance experts Joe Guay and Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz situated in New York and Miami, respectively. The team is active over a number of transaction types, typically representing national and foreign banks, insurance companies, pension funds, and debt funds. CRE capital market transactions falls within the scope of the practice alongside workouts and lender and borrower representation. In Century City, David Packer is a key name for secured debt workouts, acquisition and disposition, and real estate financings, while in Charlotte David Iacuzio manages CMBS and CLO programs. John Decker focuses on commercial real estate from Atlanta. New York-based litigator Vivian Arias and Dallas-based real estate expert Matthew Swerdlow is also noted.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 4

Holland & Knight LLP offers comprehensive non-contentious tax expertise to a broad range of clients, including public and private companies, private foundations, tax-exempt organizations, individuals, trusts, and partnerships. The practice is well known for handling mid-market transactions as well as private client matters, benefitting from collaboration with the firm’s strong private wealth service group. William Sherman, dividing his time between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, has experience in a broad range of sectors, including hospitality, petrochemicals, tobacco, real estate, transport, telecoms, and pharma. He chairs the group alongside Todd Keator in Dallas and John Martini in Philadelphia. Joshua Odintz in Washington DC advises major clients in the management consulting and pharma spaces. Houston-based Roger Aksamit focuses on energy, natural resources, real estate, and private equity taxation, while Mark Melton in Dallas assists clients with acquisitions, dispositions, investments, and derivatives transactions. Washington DC’s Daniel Strickland has notable expertise advising on tax credits in the renewables space. Having joined the firm in August 2023 from Steptoe LLP, Washington DC’s Robert Rizzi brings vast experience advising domestic and multinational corporations on the tax aspects of M&A, reorganizations, workouts, and joint ventures.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies Tier 5

Holland & Knight provides support to venture capital clients, corporate strategic investors, and angel investors on their funding endeavors into emerging growth companies. The firm also assists these companies through every phase of their corporate lifecycle. Tim Poydenis, who became co-head of the practice upon joining the Century City office in February 2023 from Goodwin, advises companies and investors on formations, fundraisings, exit strategies, and corporate governance. Jeffrey Seul, co-leading from Boston, offers guidance to clients in tech sectors such as digital health, fintech, and autonomous transportation on various corporate matters. Enrique Conde and Danielle Price are key members of the Miami practice.

International trade > CFIUS