Holland & Knight's South Florida Real Estate and Land Use Group is proud to provide legal services in one of the most robust and dynamic real estate markets in the world. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic presented both our South Florida group and the firm with unprecedented challenges. In 2021, our attorneys continued to work through pandemic-related challenges while also resuming work in areas coming back to life. The matters in this annual report represent some highlights of the group's undertakings over the past year, during which our extraordinarily diverse real estate professionals participated in a number of sophisticated, community-defining and transformative real estate projects.
We advised our clients on the purchase and sale of a wide variety of commercial properties, including office, multifamily and mixed-use projects. We assisted a diverse array of capital markets clients in negotiating, structuring and documenting complex transactions, including syndicated loans, public finance and private development matters. We also guided clients through sophisticated land use entitlements – supported by the strong working relationships that we maintain with local elected officials, their aides and senior staff – all while navigating the pandemic.
Our efforts and innovation were recognized by several national organizations and industry publications. In the 2022 edition of the U.S. News – Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" guide, Holland & Knight was named "Law Firm of the Year" in Land Use and Zoning Law and ranked as a national first-tier law firm in Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law, as well as a metropolitan first-tier firm for Real Estate Law in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. In addition, The Legal 500 United States recognized Holland & Knight as a Top-Tier Firm in Real Estate-Land Use/ Zoning in 2022. The South Florida Real Estate and Land Use Group, as well as many of our individual lawyers, are the subjects of significant acclaim, including recognition by Chambers USA – America's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.
Throughout the year, our real estate professionals focused on creating positive, forward-looking opportunities, as well as facilitating renewal and redevelopment throughout South Florida and beyond. We excel at collaborating together, with our clients, as a single team with one goal: delivering results with unrivaled value while navigating the expected and unexpected for our clients. In this brochure, Holland & Knight's South Florida Real Estate and Land Use Group proudly presents some of our most notable 2021 transactions.
Joseph Goldstein
Miami
Real Estate Practice Group Leader
Nicholas Milano
Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach
Real Estate Practice Group Leader
Holland & Knight's experienced commercial real estate lawyers possess a wide range of industry insight and actively assist clients to purchase, sell, lease, develop, operate and finance billions of dollars of commercial and residential real estate assets, including office, retail, single and multifamily homes, apartments and industrial properties. In addition to these standard asset classes, our leasing, acquisition, disposition and development attorneys represent clients in the master planning of sophisticated portfolios involving multiple investors and complex agreements, such as high-end luxury condominiums and hotels. Our attorneys routinely handle projects from the permitting phase, through construction, and into the leasing and selling phase. This comprehensive representation covers a variety of product types, including office, industrial, flex, retail, residential and mixed-use properties, involving both single-site projects and large portfolios.
ASSISTING NUVEEN REAL ESTATE IN OFFICE LEASE AT 1000 WATERFORD
Holland & Knight represented the landlord, Nuveen Real Estate, in the negotiation of a 65,000-square-foot office lease with Franchise World at 1000 Waterford, a business center in Miami-Dade County. Its 1000 Waterford office will house marketing and culinary staff members, as well as its Latin American regional office.
REPRESENTING AMAC IN 1800 ALTON PROJECT
Holland & Knight represented Arbor Management Acquisition Company (AMAC) in the $33 million acquisition of a mixed-use project in Miami Beach. The project, known as 1800 Alton, is a Class-A retail building located near Sunset Harbour.
ASSISTING ELION PARTNERS IN LEASING, TRANSACTIONAL
AND
FINANCING WORK
Holland & Knight has continued a working relationship with Elion Partners throughout 2021, aiding the Miamibased company in its property acquisition, disposition, leasing and financing work in multiple coastal, infill gateway markets. Elion's investment strategy is focused on last-mile logistics real estate, targeting coastal, infill logistics hubs near large population centers in supply-constrained markets. The recent acquisitions that Holland & Knight assisted with are part of a series that Elion has planned for its portfolio aggregation strategy across key logistics markets. Elion also has offices in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle.
During 2021, Holland & Knight represented Elion in the acquisition of several last-mile industrial distribution assets in strategic West Coast logistics markets, including Seattle and its surrounding counties, the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California.
In addition to the series of last-mile acquisitions, Holland & Knight represented Elion in the leasing of acquired industrial space to various tenants, including a home improvement company, a construction engineering company, a multinational ecommerce company and an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer.
ADVISING CITY OF CORAL GABLES IN SALE OF PARCEL FROM C/LEJEUNE LLC
Holland & Knight represented the city of Coral Gables, Florida, in connection with negotiations regarding the sale of a parcel from C/LeJeune LLC.
ASSISTING CASSA KNIGHTDALE IN SALE OF 2 PHASES OF NORTH CAROLINA PROJECT
The project in Knightdale, North Carolina, comprises four phases with a total of 780 single-family homes and townhomes. Holland & Knight represented Miami-based Global City Investments LLC's affiliate, Cassa Knightdale LLC, in selling two of the four phases to Taylor Morrison. Holland & Knight prepared and negotiated all closing documents and joint venture documents on the client's behalf, conducted title review and due diligence review, and coordinated all aspects of the closing.
REPRESENTING MIAMI DADE COLLEGE IN GROUND LEASE FOR 2 NEW SCHOOLS
Miami Dade College (MDC) and KIPP Miami – part of the national Knowledge is Power Program of public charter schools – partnered to open two new schools, KIPP Royalty and KIPP Courage, at MDC's North Campus. These institutions will provide students and staff with pathways for educational advancement and professional development.
Holland & Knight represented MDC in the ground lease for the new 120,000-square-foot building that will include 79 classrooms and serve more than 1,400 students. MDC, the most diverse institution in the nation with 167 nations and 63 languages represented in its student body, has eight campuses and outreach centers offering more than 300 distinct degree pathways, including associate and baccalaureate degrees, career certificates and apprenticeships.
ADVISING HIDROCK SUBSIDIARY IN PURCHASE, FINANCING OF MIAMI PROPERTIES
Holland & Knight represented a subsidiary of Hidrock Properties in connection with the acquisition and financing of the property at 2600, 2608 and 2610 North Miami Avenue, as well as the acquisition and financing of an additional property at 2534 North Miami Avenue and 26 Northwest 26th Street, for the future development of two mixed-use projects in Miami.
Our South Florida real estate lawyers advise borrowers, lenders, developers and equity investors on a diverse range of real estate-related capital market transactions across all commercial product types. All facets of real estate lending are encompassed by our finance practice, including office, retail, industrial, multifamily, residential, condominium, timeshare, hospitality and senior living. From conventional financing arrangements to national mortgage lending conduit programs, our lawyers have the experience and acumen necessary to deliver prudent and practical advice designed to help our clients meet their goals.
ADVISING BORROWER ON $35 MILLION
CONSTRUCTION LOAN
FOR SERENA BY THE SEA
Holland & Knight represented the borrower in acquiring a $35 million construction loan to build a luxury condominium development in Clearwater, Florida, called Serena by the Sea. Construction is currently underway.
REPRESENTING FALCON
REAL ESTATE IN ACQUISITIONS OF LEASED ASSETS
Holland & Knight represented Falcon Real Estate Investment Management in the acquisition of the following leased properties:
• Falcon, acting as real estate investment adviser to Capital-38, a family office based in London, acquired the property leased to CVS across from Wrigley Field in Chicago. Holland & Knight's South Florida team led the acquisition and financing out of the Miami office with support from the firm's Chicago team.
• Falcon, acting as real estate investment adviser to Capital-38, acquired property in Orlando, Florida, currently leased to Accredo Health, a Cigna specialty pharmacy entity.
ASSISTING GOMEZ DEVELOPMENT WITH AVENTURA CONSTRUCTION LOAN
Holland & Knight advised Aventura Eco-Offices Property Owner LLC, an affiliate of Gomez Development Group, in obtaining a $45 million construction loan from Parkview Financial in California to build a medical office complex adjacent to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital. The LLC recently took ownership of the 1.63-acre site at 21291 Northeast 28th Avenue through an entity transfer with HCA Florida Aventura Hospital. This is a joint venture development.
Holland & Knight's Joint Venture Group has vast experience in all relevant areas necessary for structuring, drafting and implementing strategic alliances to advance our clients' wide-ranging business interests. This experience includes multiparty joint venture agreements requiring complex waterfalls to diverse product types in several states or anything in between.
A successful real estate joint venture must be specifically tailored to each individual business, taking into consideration the legal and operational nuances that can make or break these arrangements, including state and federal regulations, tax consequences, industry-specific considerations and advanced techniques for evaluating and minimizing risks.
Our team members have decades of experience, a vast array of interdisciplinary skills and work with other Holland & Knight lawyers from complementary practices and industry teams to provide our clients with comprehensive representation for the successful structuring and implementation of their joint ventures.
REPRESENTING GLOBAL CITY IN PHASE II JOINT VENTURE
Holland & Knight represented Miami-based Global City Investments LLC in the entrance of its affiliate, Cassa Knightdale LLC, into a joint venture with Amherst BTR Member LLC for the development of 215 housing units in Knightdale, North Carolina. As part of this transaction, Global City contributed the property and equity in Knightdale, while Amherst contributed the equity necessary for development. This transaction was Phase II of a four-phase deal transferring several parcels to new entities. Holland & Knight prepared and negotiated all closing documents and joint venture documents on the client's behalf, conducted title review and due diligence review, and coordinated all aspects of the closing.
ASSISTING GLOBAL CITY IN JOINT VENTURE WITH FLORIDIAN PARTNERS
Holland & Knight represented Global City Development in a joint venture with Floridian Partners to utilize project bond financing to acquire, on behalf of housing authorities or governmental agencies, qualified existing workforce multifamily housing projects located in Florida with a single project size equal to or greater than $25 million.
ASSISTING KONIG PROPERTIES
IN
710 EDGE PROJECT
Holland & Knight represented Konig Properties (as part of a joint venture with other partners known as 710 Edge) in the acquisition of multiple parcels of property in the Edgewater neighborhood of Miami along Biscayne Bay. The parcels consisted of two single-family homes, two apartment buildings and a 15-unit condominium complex. The firm handled all aspects of the contract negotiation, served as escrow and closing agent, reviewed title, survey, conducted due diligence review, negotiated all loan documents in connection with the financing of the acquisition and negotiated the joint venture agreements with Konig Properties' partners. In addition, Holland & Knight handled all aspects of the closing with all sellers.
ADVISING GOMEZ DEVELOPMENT IN JOINT VENTURE FOR
DEVELOPMENT OF MIXED-USE COMPLEX
Holland & Knight assisted Gomez Development Group in the formation of a joint venture for the development of a proposed mixed-use complex in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, consisting of approximately 152 multifamily apartments and ground floor commercial/retail space. Approximate project cost is $40 million.
Holland & Knight has extensive knowledge in all aspects of land use, zoning and environmental law, from zoning and entitlements to acquisitions and project development, as well as compliance assessments and environmental impact reports. Our attorneys and professionals have experience addressing issues related to water quality, due diligence, entitlements, wetlands, historic preservation, health and safety, hazardous materials, biotechnology, insurance and litigation.
REPRESENTING PAN AM FLIGHT ACADEMY IN ZONING FOR PILOT TRAINING FACILITY
Holland & Knight advised Pan Am Flight Academy in connection with the zoning rights for a flight simulation training center in Hialeah, Florida. The Hialeah City Council passed a conditional-use permit for the flight school on first reading in August 2021, giving the academy permission to operate within a warehouse not typically used for educational training. A second and final vote is scheduled for September 2022. The flight school would occupy 67,594 square feet at 1125 Northeast Eighth Street, part of the 19-acre Miami Axis Park. It would host 20 flight simulators with capacity for up to 60 pilots, including instructors, and could accommodate up to 20 instructors and three staff members at one time.
The project will contribute to the city's economic prosperity and viability, provide access to a globally recognized academy for world-class flight training, and generate additional economic synergies between the city of Hialeah and Miami International Airport.
ASSISTING IN ZONING RIGHTS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SWEETWATER
Holland & Knight represented the client in connection with the zoning rights for Lil Abner Apartments II in Sweetwater, Florida. The construction for the 244-unit affordable housing complex will complement and share some amenities with the neighboring Lil Abner Apartments that were completed in 2013. The apartments will target low-income senior citizens and help serve the fast-growing elderly population in western Miami-Dade County as rents in market-rate apartments increase. Based on the project's proposed development program, it will serve to contribute to the city's economic prosperity and viability, and will address one of its highest priorities: meeting the housing needs of the elderly population.
PRO BONO REPRESENTATION OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN CAMPUS EXPANSION
The Learning Experience is a school that has promoted a safe and peaceful environment for children and adults with developmental disabilities since 1972. Holland & Knight provided comprehensive pro bono legal representation in order for the school to expand and provide additional educational opportunities for developmentally disabled students in Miami.
The Learning Experience sought an expansion to its existing campus located at 5651 Southwest 82nd Avenue. Holland & Knight immediately went to work to represent The Learning Experience with a comprehensive pro bono representation that included a multipronged approach, as detailed below:
• Determining development program viability. The team presented the preliminary vision of the expansion to Miami-Dade County, which entailed the development of a new academic building, and an increase in overall student enrollment. The team also worked with project design professionals to ensure the final site plan adhered to the Miami-Dade County zoning regulations.
• Navigating zoning regulations. To meet the requirements of the proposed expansion, Miami Learning Experience School sought a rezoning of the expansion site, a special exception to allow for the development of a two-story, 4,355-square-foot academic building encompassing additional classroom space, an unusual use request to allow for an increase in enrollment from 135 to 180 students, and minor non-use variance requests to allow for reduced setbacks and driveway distances.
• Neighbor outreach. In preparation for the public hearing process, significant neighborhood outreach was also started to discuss the application requests and obtain support for the expansion proposal. As a result of these discussions, great efforts were undertaken by the project design professionals to ensure that the proposal would maintain the residential character of the community. Prior to the public hearing, more than 100-plus petitions of support were provided to the county on behalf of neighbors, parents and supporters.
• Obtaining necessary approvals. After obtaining county staff's favorable recommendation, Holland & Knight represented Miami Learning Experience School during the public hearing process before the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners and obtained unanimous approvals for all required land use entitlements.
• Ongoing representation. Holland & Knight is proud to further the incredible mission and required needs of Miami Learning Experience School, and our land use attorneys will provide continued pro bono representation through completion of the school expansion project.
ASSISTING DEZER DEVELOPMENT IN MALL
REDEVELOPMENT APPROVALS
Holland & Knight represented Dezer Development in land use matters for its proposal to redevelop the Intracoastal Mall, a waterfront retail and restaurant center in North Miami Beach. Our land use team obtained approvals for a mixed-use project with 2,000 residential units, 375,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment use, 200,000 square feet of office use, and 250 hotel rooms, which was vested through a development agreement with the city. Buildings will be up to 40 stories and the project will feature the creation of a new waterway.
ADVISING PROLOGIS IN APPROVALS FOR LAST-MILE LOGISTICS CENTER
Holland & Knight represented Prologis Inc. in land use matters for its proposal to assemble and redevelop two blocks in a mixed-use industrial neighborhood with a vertical last-mile logistics center in Miami-Dade County. Our land use team obtained a road closure, zoning approval and site plan approval for a three-story, 968,750-plus-square-foot building that includes a warehouse, office and retail uses that will serve as an urban distribution hub for an e-retailer.
OUR TEAM SOUTH FLORIDA REAL ESTATE GROUP
POSITION YOURSELF TO THRIVE WITH OUR GROUP’S UNPARALLELED EXPERIENCE
Holland & Knight’s Real Estate Practice is active throughout the South Florida market across a network of three offices –Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Because Florida is one of the country’s top states for growth across a range of industry sectors, our South Florida practice serves as an integral part of Holland & Knight’s nationwide recognition.
For more than 100 years, we have provided legal counsel to real estate clients in practically every area of their business, including:
Development/Sales
HOLLAND & KNIGHT’S REAL ESTATE PRACTICE IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF:
REAL ESTATE FINANCE
Real estate finance is a core strength of our Real Estate Practice, as demonstrated by our significant track record within the national real estate finance space.
RETAIL
Holland & Knight has one of the strongest retail practices nationwide. As other retail law firms abandon their focus on the retail sector, we are even more committed to it, and continue to organize our retail practice around the needs of clients to fit their business services and structure.
HOSPITALITY
We have a focus on the hotel and hospitality industry, with particular emphasis on hotel and mixed-use communities. We advise hotel owners and developers of mixed-use resort and urban communities domestically and in the emerging markets of Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Holland & Knight was one of the first law firms with attorneys certified as LEED-accredited (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). We have attorneys who are certified to advise clients on green building, environmentally sustainable construction and performance issues.
LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS
Since the inception of low-income housing tax credits in 1975, Holland & Knight has represented syndicators, developers, broker-dealers and equity investors in structuring, negotiating and documenting tax-advantaged equity investments in all types of real estate throughout the U.S. As a result, we have developed extensive knowledge about low-income housing tax credits, and the tax and business problems that can arise in structuring tax-advantaged transactions.
SOUTH FLORIDA REAL ESTATE GROUP
QUICK FACTS
lawyers in the South Florida Real Estate group – the largest concentration of real estate attorneys across the firm 48 of attorneys throughout South Florida, the gateway to Latin America Deep Hospitality Bench
OUR TRANSACTIONAL
in Urban Land Institute, the largest and most prestigious land use organization in the country Leadership Positions
EXPERIENCE
AND PROWESS ALLOW US TO BE:
HIGHLY RESPONSIVE
to market changes including the COVID-19 pandemic, creatively adapting as circumstances demand
COMPREHENSIVE
via working relationships with local regulatory and policy authorities throughout the country, including municipalities and the executive and legislative branches
INNOVATIVE
by offering cutting-edge counsel on evolving issues affecting every aspect of the real estate industry
CONNECTED
to the Florida, Caribbean and Latin American markets, employing our intimate knowledge of pivotal opportunities, trending communities and challenges within these locales and beyond
LEADING LAWYERS ON YOUR SIDE
2023 The Best Lawyers in America Guide
110 real estate lawyers recognized Noted in the areas of Leisure and Hospitality Law, Real Estate Law, Litigation − Real Estate, Environmental Law, and Land Use and Zoning Law
2022 The Legal 500 United States Guide
Firm recognized as top-tier nationwide for Land Use/Zoning and recommended for Real Estate Partners Joseph Goldstein and Stephen Shapiro were highlighted as “Hall of Fame” lawyers in the guide
2022 Chambers USA Guide
33 real estate attorneys from eight different markets recognized
Firm received No. 1 rankings in Real Estate (Washington, D.C.; North and Central Florida; South Florida and Texas) and Zoning/Land Use (California and South Florida)
2022 U.S. News – Best Lawyers Guide
Holland & Knight named “Law Firm of the Year” in Land Use and Zoning Law; in addition, firm has received national first-tier rankings in Real Estate Law and Land Use and Zoning Law in the 2015-2022 guides
INCLUSION IN ACTION
We seek to further develop an organization and a culture where all talented individuals – including those traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession – can have, and can see, a path to long-term success.
We are committed to these efforts because diverse and inclusive teams reflect the world we serve and produce better results for our clients. Most importantly, a diverse and inclusive organization is simply better
RECOGNITION
Seramount Best Law Firms for Women
Recognized as one of 2022 “Best Law Firms for Women” for using best practices in recruiting, retaining, promoting and developing women lawyers
Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality
Firm received its eighth “perfect score” on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index in 2022, which rates U.S. workplaces LGBTQ+ inclusion
Mansfield RuleTM Certification
DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS
Since 2017, 50 percent of our newly promoted partners are diverse, based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or veteran status.
Our Directors Committee, the firm’s highest policymaking body, is 45 percent diverse, based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or veteran status.
2021 Law360 Diversity Snapshot
Ranked 7th for Most Diverse Equity Partners
2020 Chambers
Diversity & Inclusion Awards
Winner of “Veterans Program of the Year” | Providing pro bono help to active/retired military families on myriad issues, including bankruptcy, eviction and criminal cases
Received Mansfield Certified Plus designation for fourth consecutive year because women, minority and LGBTQ+ lawyers represent at least 30 percent of firm leadership roles and committees
The American Lawyer Magazine
High rankings in 2021 Diversity Scorecard:
No. 1: Hispanic Partners
Top 10: Hispanic Non-Partners
Top 10: “Other Racial or Ethnic Group” Partners
Top 20: African American Partners
Street Law Inc.
Received the 2020 Excellence in Service Award for the firm’s exceptional commitment to Street Law and its NALP/Street Law Legal Diversity Pipeline Program
HNBA 2019 Corporate Partner of the Year
Recognized by the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) for our longstanding support of the HNBA and unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion
Ten of our U.S. offices are led by diverse Executive Partners.
Local Office
Diversity Committees: Devise and implement locally tailored programming
Inclusive Benefits: Benefits for domestic partners regardless of gender; transgender and reassignment benefits according to WPATH guidelines
Diversity Pipeline: Investment in programs designed to encourage historically underrepresented students to consider the legal profession
Diversity Council: Leads diversity strategy and initiatives, and includes Managing Partner and Directors Committee Chair
Attorneys may request an affinity mentor for additional guidance and coaching
INCLUSION IN ACTION
Recruiting: Engagement and participation with diversity programs at law schools, including job fairs, seminars and mock interview programs
Community Engagement: Engagement with affinity bar organizations and diversity conferences and events
Rising Stars Program: Dynamic and intensive leadership program for a select group of talented women lawyers Client Partnerships: Collaboration with clients to improve diversity and inclusion in the legal profession
LCLD: Participation in the 1L LCLD Scholars and LCLD Fellows Programs; Managing Partner serves as an LCLD member
COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITIES
Holland & Knight Founder Chesterfield Smith (1917-2003) instilled in our lawyers a sense of community purpose and recognition that we have a duty to provide needy people and groups with free legal services. Today, that charge remains woven into the fabric of our firm. Holland & Knight annually contributes an amount of time equal to at least 3 percent of the firm’s billable hours to pro bono legal service. The variety of cases we take on is as broad as the needs of the communities in which we practice.
In addition, members of the firm serve in leadership roles in governmental bodies, nonprofit organizations, civic initiatives, higher education institutions and economic development groups. As active members of our bar associations, we have many opportunities to leverage the resources of our firm with other law firms in community service. From cultural events to public education programs, our attorneys share their talents and resources to improve the quality of life in communities where we work and live. Holland & Knight also coordinates large-scale national and local service days and regular service engagements with the firm’s community partners.
OUR PUBLIC AND CHARITABLE SERVICE DEPARTMENT
Holland & Knight’s Public and Charitable Service Department was created in 2009 to integrate the firm’s global pro bono, community service and charitable giving initiatives to make deeper investments in communities in need. Our firm is proud to provide legal and organizational assistance to these positive forces for social change.
Veterans and the Military
Active-duty military service personnel often face complicated legal issues while they serve our country. We’ve joined the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Military Pro Bono Project to help these individuals and their families with a variety of legal needs. As a result of this work, the ABA again honored Holland & Knight with its annual ABA Military Pro Bono Project Outstanding Services Award. Holland & Knight is the only law firm or company to receive the Military Pro Bono Project’s annual Outstanding Service Award each year since the award’s inception in 2012. We dedicate significant resources to initiatives that benefit military veterans, including supporting the Wounded Warrior Project, providing legal services for the United Way’s Mission United Initiative to assist veterans with civilian re-acclimation, and partnering with the ABA’s Section of Taxation and the Internal Revenue Service to coordinate a Military Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Social Entrepreneurship
The nonprofit organization MyGoodDeed was founded in 2002 to carry forward the remarkable spirit of service and unity that arose on and after Sept. 11, 2001. The organization was co-founded by Jay Winuk, the brother of Glenn Winuk, a Holland & Knight partner and volunteer firefighter and EMT, who lost his life in the line of duty as a rescuer at the World Trade Center on 9/11. MyGoodDeed has achieved great success leveraging grassroots technology, social media, public relations and networking strategies to expand participation in the annual 9/11
Day Observance. This is now a federally designated National Day of Service and Remembrance, in large part due to the organization’s efforts. As MyGoodDeed has grown by leaps and bounds and spread its message worldwide, Holland & Knight has helped build the organization’s infrastructure to maximize the impact and sustainability of its call to service. Serving as general counsel, we provide pro bono legal services that range from corporate governance guidance to transactional and intellectual property strategy.
Civil Rights
Best Buddies International is the world’s largest program dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Holland & Knight has supported the organization for more than 20 years by serving as outside general counsel, on its board of directors and for local advisory boards; providing financial support for Best Buddies’ awareness events that promote disability rights to a wider audience; and employing individuals through the Best Buddies Jobs program. We applaud Best Buddies’ commitment to advocate for the rights of people with IDD.
Human Rights
When Florida mandated Holocaust education in the state’s public schools in the mid-1990s, Holland & Knight assisted in preparing the first curriculum. Since then, we have focused on creating awareness about the Holocaust and genocide, and promoting the lessons learned from extraordinary stories of human courage and compassion. Our attorneys teamed up with Bet Tzedek to help hundreds of Holocaust survivors recover thousands of dollars in reparations from the German government and gain access to pro bono legal services. The firm works with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Lawyers Committee, which provides professional development initiatives to study the legal ramifications of the Holocaust. We also support other organizations that are active in this area of focus, such as Facing History and Ourselves and the Anti-Defamation League.
Children and Education
Through the Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation’s Opening Doors for Children program, the firm’s attorneys and staff help students who are at risk of never realizing their full potential. We partner with schools and nonprofits in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods to provide tutoring, serve as mentors and enhance their curricula. For example, at Charles R. Darwin Elementary School in Chicago, students who are struggling with reading get help from our volunteers during “power lunches” held in the classrooms. Through a Reading Is Fundamental program, they take home a minimum of three books per year to spark their interest in reading. Many of these students also learn about the history of the United States and are introduced to the legal system through a partnership with the Constitutional Rights Foundation.
OUR TEAM OUR TEAM
MIAMI
PARTNERS
Shawn S. Amuial
305.789.7591
shawn.amuial@hklaw.com
Hugo P. Arza
305.789.7783
hugo.arza@hklaw.com
Vivian C. de las Cuevas-Diaz
305.789.7452
vivian.cuevas@hklaw.com
Daniel P. Faust
305.789.7674
daniel.faust@hklaw.com
John F. Halula
305.789.7796
john.halula@hklaw.com
Juan J. Mayol Jr.
305.789.7787
juan.mayol@hklaw.com
Ilana B. Strickon
305.789.7444
ilana.strickon@hklaw.com
Alejandro J. Arias
305.789.7446
alejandro.arias@hklaw.com
William R. Bloom
305.789.7712
william.bloom@hklaw.com
Isabel C. Diaz
305.789.7477
isabel.diaz@hklaw.com
Pedro Gassant
305.789.7430
pedro.gassant@hklaw.com
Jessica H. Hoch
305.789.7410
jessica.hoch@hklaw.com
Richard A. Perez
305.789.7630
richard.perez@hklaw.com
Melissa S. Turra
904.798.5457
missy.turra@hklaw.com
Mark I. Aronson
305.789.7657
mark.aronson@hklaw.com
Miguel A. De Grandy
305.789.7535
miguel.degrandy@hklaw.com
Jorge R. Escobar
305.789.7521
jorge.escobar@hklaw.com
Joseph G. Goldstein
305.789.7782
joseph.goldstein@hklaw.com
305.789.7776
ines.marrero@hklaw.com
Jesse Roisin
305.789.7495
jesse.roisin@hklaw.com
Jason A. Vaupen
305.789.7670
jason.vaupen@hklaw.com
Gavin Williams
305.789.7637
gavin.williams@hklaw.com
Adam M. Zwecker
305.789.7672
adam.zwecker@hklaw.com
Alan S. Krischer
305.789.7758
alan.krischer@hklaw.com
Elena Aidova
305.789.7766
elena.aidova@hklaw.com
Brett H. Holland
305.789.7777
brett.holland@hklaw.com
Vanessa Madrid
305.789.7453
vanessa.madrid@hklaw.com
Tomas E. Castellanos
305.789.7476
tomas.castellanos@hklaw.com
Audrey Kirschenbaum
305.789.7544
audrey.kirschenbaum@hklaw.com
Danielle Moore Kramer
305.789.7643
danielle.moore@hklaw.com
305.789.7450
alexa.duarte@hklaw.com
kazarae.lowe@hklaw.com
OUR TEAM
MIAMI (CONT’D)
ASSOCIATES
Eric R. Reissi
305.789.7518
eric.reissi@hklaw.com
Alessandria San Roman
305.789.7580
alessandria.sanroman@hklaw.com
Oliver G. Silva
305.789.7515
oliver.silva@hklaw.com
Lauren K. Swanson
305.789.7696
lauren.swanson@hklaw.com
LAND USE PLANNERS
Mercy S. Arce
305.349.2178
mercy.arce@hklaw.com
PARALEGALS
Sam F. Grafals
305.349.2155
samantha.grafals@hklaw.com
James R. Williams Jr.
305.789.7413
james.williams@hklaw.com
Alberto J. Torres
305.789.7744
alberto.torres@hklaw.com
Roberto M. Losada
305.789.7484
robert.losada@hklaw.com
Yandra M. Ng
305.349.2170
yandra.hernandez@hklaw.com
FORT LAUDERDALE AND WEST PALM BEACH
PARTNERS
Irwin J. Fayne
954.468.7895
irwin.fayne@hklaw.com
Janna P. Lhota
954.468.7841
janna.lhota@hklaw.com
Nicholas G. Milano
954.468.7804
nick.milano@hklaw.com
OF COUNSEL
Debbie M. Orshefsky
954.468.7871
debbie.orshefsky@hklaw.com
ASSOCIATES
Alexandra L. Briesemeister
954.468.7987
alexandra.briesemeister@hklaw.com
Kathryn Goldberger
561.650.8373
kathryn.goldberger@hklaw.com
Jonathan S. Marcus
954.468.7924
jon.marcus@hklaw.com
Stephen B. Moss
954.468.7857
stephen.moss@hklaw.com
SENIOR COUNSEL
Christine Anchia Crousillat
954.468.7892
christine.crousillat@hklaw.com
Judith E. Kreitzer
954.468.7859
judi.kreitzer@hklaw.com
Herman R. Lipkis
954.468.7825
herman.lipkis@hklaw.com@hklaw.com
954.468.7851
allison.mccarthy@hklaw.com
With approximately 1,700 attorneys and other professionals in 32 offices throughout the world, Holland & Knight is committed to providing exceptional service to clients in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law.
Learn more about Holland & Knight at www.hklaw.com .
