Holland & Knight
| Holland & Knight LLP | |
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| Headquarters | Decentralized |
| No. of offices | 17 U.S., 3 international |
| No. of attorneys | More than 1,000 |
| Major practice areas | Full service law firm |
| Date founded | 1968 |
| Company type | Limited liability partnership |
| Website | |
| hklaw.com | |
Holland & Knight is an international law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in 17 U.S. offices. Other offices around the world are located in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Beijing, China, and Mexico City, Mexico. Holland & Knight provides representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law.
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[edit] U.S. Office Locations
Holland & Knight has U.S. offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Northern Virginia (Tyson's Corner), Orlando, Portland, San Francisco, Tallahassee, Tampa, Washington, D.C., and West Palm Beach.
[edit] International Practice
Holland & Knight maintains three international offices – in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Beijing, China, and Mexico City, Mexico. The international practice group, a combination of the lawyers and staff in the overseas offices and domestic lawyers and staff, offers combined fluency in 27 languages. The firm also maintains working relationships with many law firms throughout South and Central America; the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Sweden and, Norway; Europe and the U.K.; and within the Pacific Rim.
[edit] History of Holland & Knight
[edit] Predecessor Firms
The Knight firm was founded in the early days of industry and commerce in Tampa. The Holland firm was established in Polk County, Florida, then a center of citrus production and phosphate mining. In 1968, two law firms merged to form Holland & Knight.
[edit] Senator Spessard Holland
A young Spessard Holland declined a contract to pitch for the Philadelphia Athletics and went on to graduate from Emory University in 1912. He was a top student in the University of Florida Law School class of 1916[1] and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross after an aerial mission behind enemy lines during World War I. Mr. Holland served as county judge eight years after the war, then established a law practice in 1929 with W.F. Bevis in Bartow. In his political career, he served as Florida's governor 1941–1945 during World War II and 24 years as a U.S. Senator 1946–1971. After leaving the Senate in January 1971, he returned to Holland & Knight to practice law until his death in November 1971.
[edit] Peter O. Knight
After graduating from Valparaiso University Law School at age 18, Peter O. Knight moved to Fort Myers, Florida, and was elected mayor in 1886 shortly before his 21st birthday. Following service in the Florida Legislature, he settled in Tampa, Florida in 1889, five years after the city was chartered, to start a law practice. In addition to his work as an attorney, Mr. Knight founded TECO Energy, Tampa's present electric utility, and a major bank. Mr. Knight declined President Warren G. Harding's invitation to become a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. When Mr. Knight died in 1946, U.S. Senator Spessard L. Holland was a pallbearer at his funeral[2] -- 22 years before the names of Holland and Knight would be linked in one of Florida's largest law firms.
[edit] Chesterfield Smith
The late Chesterfield Smith served as managing partner of the combined firm until 1983. He was president of The Florida Bar in 1964-65, and became president of the American Bar Association (ABA) in 1973-74. Mr. Smith served also as Chairman of the Florida Constitutional Revision Commission.[3] During his 55-year professional career, Chesterfield Smith gained notoriety as the outspoken president of the ABA who made an early public call to investigate President Richard M. Nixon during the Watergate scandal.[4] Often called "America's Lawyer"[5] and "the conscience of the legal profession," Chesterfield Smith is responsible for the shared values and core beliefs that earned Holland & Knight's reputation as a law firm that balances profits with public duty.
[edit] Selected Moments in Holland & Knight History
- 1889 Peter O. Knight established his practice
- 1919 Senator Spessard Holland established his practice
- 1968 Two Florida practices merge to create Holland & Knight LLP
- 1973-74 The late Chesterfield Smith, Chairman Emeritus, served as ABA President
- 1982 Opened first office outside of Florida in Washington, D.C.
- 1994 Established presence in Atlanta, GA
- 1997 Entered New York and San Francisco markets
- 1998 Joint venture with a Mexico City law firm and established Boston office
- 2000 Opened Midwest office in Chicago and second West Coast office in Los Angeles
- 2001 Pacific Northwest presence with an office in Portland, OR
- 2004 Expanded overseas into Beijing, China
- 2008 International growth with Abu Dhabi, UAE office
[edit] Diversity
Holland & Knight has a Diversity Council, mentoring programs, and other diversity-related programs and initiatives. The firm has been recognized by a number of organizations, including:
- The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest advocacy group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans, assigned Holland & Knight a “100,” or “perfect” rating on its 2008 Corporate Equality Index and Best Places to Work Survey.
- The firm was named a “Best Law Firm for Women” by Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers LLC. Profiled in the August/September 2007 issue of Working Mother magazine, Holland & Knight was honored for creating a work environment that is hospitable to and encouraging of the advancement of women. “With innovative programs and policies that help female attorneys achieve balance in their personal and professional lives and thrive as practitioners, Holland & Knight is ensuring that women are the future of private law practice.”[6]
- The firm was awarded the 2007 CREW Network Impact Award for the category of “Industry Innovator” by Commercial Real Estate Women (“CREW”). This award recognizes an organization that fosters a culture of innovation, dedication to diversity and the equal advancement of women and men in commercial real estate.
- The Minority Law Journal recently ranked Holland & Knight #2 in the nation for the number of Hispanic attorneys.[7]
- Multicultural Law Magazine named Holland & Knight to its list of “100 Top Law Firms for Diversity.”
- The firm received “The Safe Haven Award” at the annual Immigration Equality Annual Benefit and Award Dinner, honoring pro bono attorneys who help win asylum for GLBT people fleeing persecution in foreign countries.
- The firm was awarded the “Michael K. Reese Quality of Life Award” by The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division in honor of the firm’s demonstrated commitment to supporting personal work-life choices, its pro bono activities, domestic partner benefits, career and professional development practices, favorable leave policies for both men and women, and community service.[8]
[edit] Pro Bono Work
Holland & Knight has represented people with legal problems who otherwise would have been denied access to the legal system. Some of their clients include:
- Delma Banks, who was on death row for 20 years before Holland & Knight obtained a reversal of his death sentence
- Wilbert Rideau, a prisoner who spent 44 years in jail until he was freed through a jury verdict
- Haitian victims of torture, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killing, and crimes against humanity for whom the firm obtained a $4.3 million federal jury verdict
- Mohammed Al Rehaief, an American hero who, with his family, helped save POW Jessica Lynch in Iraq
- Dependent and delinquent children who need but are not receiving mental health services
- African-American survivors of Rosewood, a town destroyed in 1923 by white neighbors
- Thousands of African-American would-be renters denied housing in a decade-long scheme
- Low-income pregnant women who were unwitting subjects of medical experimentation
- Prisoners with HIV/AIDS in Alabama facing life-threatening conditions and treatment
- Death row inmates experiencing deplorable conditions of confinement in Mississippi [9]
[edit] Charitable Work
Charitable giving is managed and coordinated by the Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation, which was established as a 501(c)(3) public charity in 1996. Funded through contributions from the firm, Holland & Knight attorneys and staff, as well as external sources, the foundation underwrites several programs that support education.
[edit] Opening Doors for Children
Staffed by volunteers, the Opening Doors for Children program serves as a mentoring and tutoring program for thousands of children and schools across America. The firm also supports several essay contests for high school students:
- The Holocaust Remembrance Project is a national essay contest for high school students to promote the study of the Holocaust. This annual contest culminates with scholarships to winning students and a trip to a major city of distinction to further their understanding of the impact of the Holocaust.
- The Young Native Writers Essay Contest is a writing contest for Native American high school students and is designed to inspire honest portrayals of the richness of Native American life and history.
- The Dream Scholarship Essay Contest is a writing contest for high school juniors and seniors enrolled in public schools in Atlanta, Georgia; Miami, Florida; and Washington, D.C. The contest is designed to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
[edit] Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom
Founder and chairman emeritus of Holland & Knight, Chesterfield Smith (1917–2003) was one of the country’s most prominent lawyers, and his name remains one of the most revered in national legal circles. He was the chief architect of Florida’s Constitution. The Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom at the University of Florida Levin College of Law was dedicated on Sept. 21, 2006, by a distinguished group of friends and colleagues of the legendary Chesterfield Smith: U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, UF President Bernie Machen, Levin College of Law Dean Robert Jerry, then Holland & Knight Managing Partner Howell W. Melton, Jr., and Holland & Knight partner and then chair of the firm's Directors Committee Martha Barnett. Smith graduated from the law school in 1948.
[edit] Rankings and Awards
National Recognition
- Holland & Knight is highly ranked among 30 top performing law firms in the area of client service, according to the BTI Consulting Group annual survey of nearly 300 corporate counsel and C-level executives. The firm received high scores in the areas of Understands the Client's Business and Deals with Unexpected Changes, among others.[10]
- Corporate Counsel magazine named Holland & Knight a "2011 Go-To Law Firm" for the top 500 U.S. companies. Ten companies selected the firm for its work in the areas of Corporate Transactions/Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment and Litigation.[11]
- More than 120 Holland & Knight attorneys were named in the Chambers USA 2011 guide.[12]
- Holland & Knight received national first-tier rankings in the 2010 U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" guide in five practice areas - Admiralty & Maritime Law; Construction Law; Equipment Finance Law; Native American Law; and Private Equity Law.[13]
Litigation Rankings
Holland & Knight has approximately 400 lawyers in its Litigation Section. The firm is engaged in a broad range of civil and white collar litigation in federal and state courts throughout the United States.
- The following Litigation practice areas received a No. 1 ranking in the Chambers USA 2011 guide: Construction (D.C.) and Transportation: Shipping: Litigation (outside NY). Holland & Knight's team of construction lawyers was nominated to the shortlist of Chambers USA Awards for Excellence in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.[12]
- The firm received a first tier ranking in the area of Real Estate & Construction: Construction Litigation in "The Legal 500 United States" 2011 guide, which also recommended the firm in the area of Product Liability & Mass Tort Defense – Aerospace/Aviation. [14]
- Holland & Knight was named one of the world's top trademark law firms in the inaugural edition of the "World Trademark Review 1000 – The Definitive Guide to Trademark Legal Services."
Business Honors
The Business Section has more than 300 lawyers in three major areas: Corporate Transactional, Financial Services and Private Wealth Services, and advises clients on a broad range of business matters and business transactions.
- Directors & Boards magazine ranked Holland & Knight one of the nation's top 10 law firms for dealing with director liability issues and board level mergers & acquisition issues.[15]
- The Best Lawyers in America selected 66 Holland & Knight Business lawyers for inclusion in the 2011 guide. Holland & Knight had more lawyers recognized for Trusts and Estates than any other law firm.[16]
- The 2010 Chambers Global Guide named Holland & Knight among the world's leading law firms earning notable rankings in the areas of Shipping and Asset Finance. [17]
- The Legal 500 United States 2010 edition recommended the firm's Finance: Asset Finance and Leasing practice.[14]
Real Estate Distinctions
With approximately 200 lawyers, Holland & Knight’s Real Estate practice is one of the largest of any U.S. law firm.
- The Best Lawyers in America selected 40 Holland & Knight Real Estate lawyers for inclusion in the 2011 guide and had the most lawyers recognized for Land Use and Zoning Law.
- 26 Real Estate attorneys from eight different markets were listed in the Chambers USA 2011 guide; with a No. 1 ranking in Real Estate (D.C.) and Real Estate: Zoning and Land Use (CA).[12]
- Holland & Knight was ranked as one of the Top 30 Midwest Real Estate Law Firms by Midwest Real Estate News.[18]
- The Legal 500 United States recommended the firm's Real Estate: East Coast practice in its 2010 edition.[14]
Government Accolades
Holland & Knight’s Government Section has more than 100 attorneys and legislative professionals engaged in federal, state, local and tribal government affairs, regulatory counseling and related disciplines.
- Roll Call and National Journal ranked Holland & Knight one of the "top ten lobbying firms/shops" in 2010.
- Former Congressman Gerry Sikorski and Public Policy and Regulation Practice Group Leader Rich Gold were recognized by The Hill newspaper as two of Washington, D.C.’s top lobbyists in 2009.[19]
- Influence magazine ranked Holland & Knight 6th in “The Influence 50” list of lobby shops and law firms for 2010.[20]
- Authors of the four-volume Indian Gaming Handbook, a leading reference work in the field and now in its 6th edition.
[edit] Practice Areas
Holland & Knight's legal capabilities span an extensive range of practices and industries, including:
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[edit] References
- ^ University of Florida College of Law, Spessard L. Holland Law Center profile
- ^ Holland & Knight Firm History
- ^ http://www.law.fsu.edu/crc/
- ^ The Greatest Generation, Tom Brokaw, 1998
- ^ Remembrances: My Life with Chesterfield Smith: America's Lawyer, Second Edition, 2005
- ^ Working Mother Magazine, August/September 2007
- ^ Minority Law Journal, May 2011
- ^ The Florida Bar, http://www.flayld.org/awards/
- ^ ACLU, http://www.aclu.org/prisoners-rights/appeals-court-affirms-mississippi-death-row-conditions-are-unconstitutional
- ^ The BTI Consulting Group, 2010
- ^ Corporate Counsel’s In-House Law Departments at the Top 500 Companies, November 2010
- ^ a b c Chambers USA, June 2011
- ^ http://www.bestlawyers.com/
- ^ a b c Legal 500, June 2011
- ^ Directors & Boards, October 2010
- ^ The Best Lawyers in America, 2011
- ^ Chambers Global, 2011
- ^ Midwest Real Estate News, 2010 Best of the Best issue.
- ^ The Hill, May 2009
- ^ Influence, April 2010
