Corporate Services

Whether your enterprise is a start-up or a Fortune 500 company, a closely held family business or a public franchise, succeeding in today's marketplace requires more than "business as usual." In this value-based, highly regulated climate, non-economic performance parameters – such as corporate compliance and governance – are as critical to your success as your company's bottom line.

Broad-Based Know-How Tailored to Your Operating Environment

The practice of corporate law demands experience across an array of industries, businesses and governmental organizations. Savvy business leaders choose Holland & Knight for our decades of experience in advising public and private entities. With the diversity of our firm and practice teams, we can extend integrated and efficient support across a range of critical matters, including:

• corporate compliance and ethics
• corporate governance
• D&O and management liability
• franchise
• mergers and acquisitions
• project finance
• public companies and securities
• securities litigation
• venture capital and private equity
• white collar defense

Compliance, Governance and Liability Counsel: A Proactive Strategy

Holland & Knight is committed to working proactively to help your organization avoid potential liability. We assist companies in the development of integrated compliance and ethics programs, and our firm was one of the first in the country to establish a dedicated corporate governance team to advise on issues relating to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As the risk of management liability suits increases, Holland & Knight's D&O and Management Liability Team counsels directors and officers regarding the preventive measures required to protect their personal assets.

Vigorous Defense When You Need It

When your company's reputation is on the line, our seasoned White Collar Defense Team will work to provide experienced and incisive defense counsel. Our highly skilled trial attorneys – including a former U.S. district judge – are fully prepared to go to court on your behalf with a goal of helping to minimize the consequences of alleged misconduct. Should your organization become involved in securities litigation, you need seasoned counsel with front-line litigation experience in federal securities law. Dealing with matters of alleged wrongdoing in this highly complex area is one of the strengths of our Securities Litigation Team.

Assuring the Right Relationships for Your Franchise Venture

Strategic to profitable franchising is the ability to structure, maintain and control successful franchise business relationships. Our multidisciplinary Franchise Team is focused on assisting both franchisors and franchisees. From negotiating franchise, sub-franchise and area development agreements to advising on franchisee solicitation, you can count on our commitment to provide professional and insightful guidance regarding your ongoing activities.

Talent and Teamwork Combine to Represent Your Business Interests

Whether your transaction involves a leveraged buy-out, a joint venture or a corporate reorganization, Holland & Knight's Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group leverages its broad-based experience and business know-how to negotiate on your behalf. The team consists of more than 120 dedicated attorneys who collaborate with lawyers and professionals from the firm's other practice areas as needed – such as tax, ERISA, IP, environmental law, real estate and antitrust – to represent you in the full array of transactions your organization may encounter.

Insight and Innovation

Achieving your objectives in today's complex and changing financial marketplace often requires creative deal-making. Holland & Knight attorneys are committed to effective and innovative representation of businesses and institutional investors and acquirers in all manner of venture capital and private equity transactions. With deep domain experience representing both venture capital and growth companies – and insight into emerging market trends – we can guide both investors and entrepreneurs through such diverse transactions as angel financings, bridge loans, PIPEs and public offerings.

Growing to Meet Your Changing Requirements

As our Private Equity Team has evolved in size and scope to meet the ever-increasing needs of financial acquirers and sellers to private equity funds, our counsel addresses matters that range from structuring transactions to the performance of due diligence.

In-Depth Experience Enhanced by an International Presence

Commercial lenders, export credit agencies, multilateral development banks and developers look to Holland & Knight's Project Finance Team for counsel in their complex undertakings. Our experience in risk-allocation techniques and understanding of financing methods – including publicly funded and privatization project structures – give clients the comprehensive support they need for their projects.

Project finance endeavors are often international in scope. Opportunities involving projects such as transportation infrastructure, airports and seaports, power plant construction and telecommunications undertakings can arise anywhere in the world. With international offices in Latin America and established relationships with key law firms around the world, Holland & Knight is positioned to provide the global representation you require.

A Diverse Client Base Informs Our Counsel

Providing effective, professional legal counsel in business law matters requires experience that spans across diverse industries. We advise clients in a broad range of industries, including communications, defense, employment, healthcare, technology, transportation, hospitality, agriculture and banking sectors, among others. Holland & Knight's diverse public company roster ranges from small and mid-size entities to Fortune 500 issuers. We also represent underwriters, private equity funds and venture capital firms in capital-raising transactions. Our Public Companies and Securities Team includes members who have served as counsel to public companies, audit and compensation committees and the SEC, and as members of university and professional securities associations.

From Concept to Completion: Ongoing Representation

You can rely on our Corporate Services Practice Team for experienced counsel long after the negotiation of your original transaction. From concept to completion, our team stays with you, prepared to advise you throughout the life cycle of your business venture.