FLORIDA GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY TEAM
For more than four decades, Holland & Knight has represented clients before Florida’s local and state governments, guiding them through complex issues of the executive and legislative branches that affect their interests in the Sunshine State. Our team of experienced government advocates is committed to helping clients use government to their business advantages.
A LONG HISTORY ADVOCATING FOR CLIENTS
Our Florida Government Advocacy Team (FGAT) of public policy advisors and lawyers applies its depth of experience, relationships and substantive political and legal know-how to advocate on your behalf to resolve any issues of concern that relate to Florida government, including:
Monitoring Legislative Activity
Supporting Legislation Favorable to Your Company
KEY CONTACTS
Seeking Sponsors of Bills or Amendments
Testifying Before Legislative Committees
Bob Martinez: Former governor of Florida, former drug czar under President George H.W. Bush and former mayor of Tampa
Miguel de Grandy: Former member of the Florida House of Representatives, including serving as the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee
Nate Adams: Former deputy general counsel to Gov. Jeb Bush and the Florida Department of Education
Mia McKown: Former general counsel to the Florida Department of Citrus and former hearing officer for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Kimberly Case: Former director of legislative affairs for Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and former director of legislative affairs for Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher
Advocating for Appropriations
Ron Klein: Former U.S. congressman, former member of the Florida House of Representatives, and former minority whip and democratic leader of the Florida Senate www.hklaw.com
Drafting Bills or Amendments
Opposing Legislation That Could Be Harmful to Your Business
Jon Steverson: Former secretary and special counsel on policy and legislative affairs at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and former executive director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District
Beth Vecchioli: Former senior-level manager and regulator at the Florida Department of Insurance/Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Ty Jackson: Handles litigation and advocacy before virtually every state agency, regulatory board and commission, at administrative hearings, in state and federal courts, and before Florida’s legislative and executive branches of government
CONNECT WITH US ON TWITTER
Follow @HK_FLgov for the latest updates from our FGAT members.
Our FGAT members are active in the political process. Our support for statewide candidates, as well as candidates for the Florida Legislature, enables our team to maximize opportunities for our clients.
We counsel on constitutional amendments, public policy issues and local ballot referendums. We assist clients in forming political campaign committees and advise on Florida’s campaign finance laws.
OUR REACH GOES BEYOND THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE
Holland & Knight’s FGAT members have extensive experience working on numerous campaigns and with the statewide political parties, providing political strategy and implementation for candidates.
The support you receive from our FGAT members is not limited to representation before the Florida Legislature. We also have a long-standing and extensive executive branch lobbying and state administrative law practice, which includes representing clients before the governor, the Florida Cabinet and all state agencies.
Environmental Regulatory Issues
Compliance and Enforcement Proceedings
Ratemaking Permitting
Administrative Litigation
A TRACK RECORD CLIENTS DEPEND ON
Successfully opposed legislation that would jeopardize Florida businesses’ trade secret proprietary information in the hands of government
Successfully opposed legislation that would have jeopardized the water, wastewater and surface water in portions of Broward County
Successfully opposed legislation that would have prevented much needed public transit improvements in Hillsborough County
Assisted a nonprofit press association with successfully blocking legislation that would have eliminated public notice requirements in Florida newspapers
Successfully protected more than $300 million in funding for Florida’s hospitals that provide critical care to vulnerable populations
Successfully secured $11.25 million in funding for a high-tech innovation research and manufacturing facility in Osceola County
Business and Professional Licensing
Successfully secured $150,000 for a city fire department to purchase a modern incident command vehicle
Successfully secured $3.5 million in recurring funds for a state-affiliated educational foundation to assist minorities in pursuing advanced degrees
Successfully passed legislation that reforms Florida’s property insurance laws relating to assignment of post-loss benefits and entitlement to attorney’s fees by third-party assignees
Successfully opposed legislation prohibiting the use of genetic information in the medical records during the rating and underwriting of life insurance
Successfully opposed legislation that would have increased the exposure for lawsuits and money damages against healthcare providers
Successfully prevented adverse legislation affecting the health insurance program insuring state employees
Successfully prevented onerous legislation governing the merger and acquisition of healthcare practices and facilities
