The unique design of our Rising Star® program serves to distinguish Holland & Knight from other law firms. The goals of this year-long program are to help prepare participants for leadership opportunities, elevate their profiles within the legal profession and community, and increase their success in business development.
Each year Holland & Knight selects a group of talented and dedicated women lawyers to participate in Rising Star® – a dynamic and intensive program of leadership, marketing, management and professional skills development, professional mentoring and experiential learning. To be eligible, Rising Stars candidates must be in at least their seventh year of practice and have been affiliated with Holland & Knight for at least two years. Other selection criteria include professional experience, community involvement, motivation to be a leader, and the ability to invest the time and effort necessary for success. Program applications are generally solicited each fall for participation in the following year.
Class of 2025
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Alexis Alonzo (2023)
Real Estate | Century City, CA
Kristin Asai (2019)
Litigation | Portland, OR
Kristina Azlin (2013)
Litigation | Los Angeles, CA
Kyla Baker (2023)
Real Estate | Atlanta, GA
Leila Batties (2008)
Real Estate | Washington, D.C.
Jenna Bigornia (2015)
Business | Boston, MA
Ms. Bigornia is currently commercial counsel at Biogen.
Meg Raker Brown (2023)
Real Estate | Washington, D.C.
Cynthia Burnside (2012)
Litigation | Atlanta, GA
Lynn E. Calkins (2004)
Litigation | Washington, D.C.
Renee Covitt (2020)
Real Estate | New York, NY
Agnes Doyle (2023)
Litigation | Houston, TX
Allison Dyer (2020)
Business | Atlanta, GA
Susan Eichler Edlein (2006)
Litigation | Atlanta, GA
Ms. Edlein is currently serving as the Chief Judge in the State Court of Fulton County (Georgia).
Jessica Early (2017)
Litigation | Boston, MA
Nicole Elliott (2022)
Government/Tax | Washington, D.C.
Jessica Farmer (2024)
Litigation | Washington, D.C.
Cheryl Feeley (2015)
Litigation | Washington, D.C.
Rachel Fink (2022)
Business | Atlanta, GA
Carrie Friesen-Meyers (2018)
Structured Finance | San Francisco, CA
Ms. Friesen-Meyers is currently deputy general counsel at Upstart.
Annie Gamez (2017)
Litigation | Miami, FL
Marjorie Gannett (2018)
Real Estate | Washington, D.C.
Ms. Gannett is currently deputy general counsel at Combined Properties.
Colleen Leonard Gans (2011)
Real Estate | San Francisco, CA
Ms. Leonard is currently principal counsel in Real Estate at Apple.
Steffanie Garrett (2012)
Litigation | Chicago, IL
Ms. Garrett is currently chief legal counsel at the Illinois State Police.
Christine Gay (2016)
Litigation | Miami, FL
Suzanne E. Gilbert (2003)
Litigation | Orlando, FL
Stacie Andra Goeddel (2009)
Real Estate | San Francisco, CA
Shannon Hartsfield (2003)
Healthcare | Tallahassee, FL
Morgan Ivey (2024)
Healthcare | Nashville
Janene Jackson (2017)
Government | Washington, D.C.
Andrea James (2024)
Litigation | Houston
Naomi F. Katz (2008)
Labor and Employment | Chicago, IL
Ms. Katz is currently associate general counsel in Employment at Ulta Beauty.
Bonni F. Kaufman (2007)
Environment | Washington, D.C.
Joanie Kim (2004)
Public Companies and Securities | Seattle
Ms. Kim is currently senior vice president and deputy general counsel of Global Retail and Commercial at Starbucks.
Tammy L. Knight (2005)
Public Companies and Securities | Fort Lauderdale
Sarah Korapaty (2016)
Litigation | New York, NY
Lisa Kpor (2022)
Litigation | Chicago, IL
Ms. Kpor is currently litigation counsel at United Airlines.
Marie Larsen (2023)
Litigation | New York, NY
Laura Lewis (2023)
Business | New York, NY
Emily Lieban (2023)
Government | San Francisco, CA
Jen Lowndes (2023)
Litigation | Orlando, FL
Chelsea Maclean (2013)
Government | San Francisco, CA
Jennifer A. "Jenn" Mansfield (2009)
Litigation | Jacksonville, FL
Katherine Markel (2024)
Business | Tysons
Nicole Maron (2022)
Public Companies and Securities | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Louise McAlpin (2006)
Litigation | Miami, FL
Allison McCarthy (2010)
Real Estate | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Chelsea Ashbrook McCarthy (2019)
Litigation | Chicago, IL
Taite McDonald (2019)
Government | Washington, D.C.
Mia McKown (2013)
Litigation | Tallahassee, FL
Rebecca Mendez (2016)
Real Estate | Miami, FL
Katharine Menendez de la Cuesta (2019)
Litigation | Miami, FL
Judith M. "Judy" Mercier (2004)
Litigation | Orlando, FL
Elizabeth M. Mitchell
Litigation | Boston, MA
Ms. Mitchell is currently associate general counsel of Global Litigation, Investigations and Employment at Smith & Nephew.
Valarie Ney (2020)
Business | Tysons, VA
Kathryn W. Oberto (2005)
Real Estate | Orlando, FL
Jennifer Oosterbaan (2004)
Litigation | Chicago, IL
Barbra Rachel Parlin (2006)
Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights | New York, NY
Christin Petroski (2016)
Business | Orlando, FL
Rebecca Plasencia (2020)
Litigation | Miami, FL
Ashley Plemons (2018)
Corporate | Atlanta, GA
Danielle Price (2011)
Business | Miami, FL
Laura Renstrom (2022)
Litigation | Jacksonville, FL
Trisha Rich (2014)
Litigation | Chicago, IL
Lara Rios (2020)
Business | Miami
Catherine Rowsey (2022)
Litigation | Dallas, TX
Ms. Rowsey is currently an attorney at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Caitlin Saladrigas (2022)
Litigation | West Palm Beach, FL
Susan Santana (2004)
Government | Washington, D.C.
Ms. Santana is currently vice president of Legislative Affairs at AT&T.
Tara A. Scanlon (2003)
Real Estate | Washington, D.C.
Christina Schwing (2012)
Litigation | Jacksonville, FL
Megan Schmid (2022)
Litigation | Houston, TX
Sarah Seedig (2022)
Corporate/Mergers and Acquisitions | Denver, CO
Meghan Shah (2023)
Business | Boston, MA
Ashley Shively (2020)
Litigation | San Francisco, CA
Brooke Sizer (2024)
Business | Houston
Tracy Slavens (2011)
Real Estate | Miami, FL
Anastasia Sotiropoulos (2024)
Business | Chicago
Ilenna Stein (2024)
Healthcare | Boston
Brianna Stolley (2024)
Business | Tysons
Ilana Strickon (2012)
Real Estate | Miami, FL
Marisa C. Terrenzi (2009)
Corporate/Mergers and Acquisitions | McLean, VA
Natalie P. Thomas (2008)
Litigation | Tampa, FL
Ms. Thomas is currently the Senior Associate General Counsel for Global Litigation at Jabil.
Vivian Thoreen (2010)
Business | Los Angeles, CA
Antonia Tzinova (2013)
Business | Washington, D.C.
Aymee Valdivia (2017)
Business | Miami, FL
Tara L. Vance (2008)
Corporate/Immigration | New York, NY
Christine Walz (2016)
Litigation | Washington, D.C.
Theresa Wanat (2018)
Litigation | Houston, TX
Stacey Wang (2014)
Litigation | Los Angeles, CA
Lindsey Williamson (2024)
Government | Atlanta
Kwamina Thomas Williford (2008)
Litigation | Washington, D.C.
Kendall Wilson (2022)
Business | Tampa, FL
Melissa Wong (2019)
Healthcare | Boston, MA
Parker Young (2023)
Business | Houston, TX
Victoria Zerjav (2019)
Corporate | Stamford, CT
Other former Rising Stars include: Robyn Axberg, Cindy Basham, Tamara Carmichael, Kelli A. Edson, Michele Sibley Gonzales, Demrie Graham, Kerry Halpern, Patricia Harris, Claudia Hinsch, Ani Hovanessian, Lauren Jenkins, Paula Kirlin, Tamara Kolz, Robin Main, Esther L. Moreno, Christine Quigley, Heather Pinder Rodriguez, Erika Royal, Ann-Therese Schmid, Jennifer A. Short, Jane K.P. Tam, Sarah Tremer, Angelique Waddell and Lisha Wheeler.