Innovation Law and Policy Attorney Nick Leibham Joins Holland & Knight

WASHINGTON/IRVINE, Calif. (June 3, 2021) – Attorney Nick Leibham has joined Holland & Knight as a partner in the firm's Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group. Mr. Leibham formerly practiced at K&L Gates for a dozen years, where he was a partner in the firm's law and policy group and co-headed the emerging technologies and innovation practice for the federal marketplace. He will split his time between Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., and Orange County, California, offices.

Mr. Leibham principally advises clients that have a substantial interest in government as a marketplace, running the gamut from true angel round startups to Fortune Global 500 companies. His counsel includes aspects of policy development as well as lobbying the legislative and executive branches of government, federal funding and business development initiatives, procurement, public-private partnerships, regulatory matters and rule makings, tax policy issues, multijurisdiction site selection and company wind-downs where government is a creditor/stakeholder. He also acts as outside general counsel and has substantial experience managing litigation and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) teams, counseling in the area of boardroom governance and facilitating internal investigations, as well as government enforcement actions.

Prior to joining his former law firm, Mr. Leibham was a prosecutor on behalf of the state of California. His political/policy experience includes having been the western regional director for the Democratic National Committee as well as a senior aide to Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii).

"Nick has an extensive background in tech-focused policy and business, especially as it relates to emergent trends, and will be a great asset to our team," said Rich Gold, the leader of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group. "He will be particularly valuable to our clients in the energy, micro-electronics and next-generation mobility industries."

"Holland & Knight's policy team has an impressive list of technology clients. By leveraging my relationships in the industry, in California and beyond, I hope to help expand that client base to include more innovation companies," said Mr. Leibham.

Mr. Leibham received J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of San Diego and a B.A. degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

Also joining Mr. Leibham from K&L Gates is Kathleen Nicholas, who joins the firm as senior public affairs advisor. Ms. Nicholas has spent a decade working at the intersection of law, policy and politics with a focus on energy, environment, advanced technology applications and congressional budgeting, among other issues. Prior to joining her former firm, Ms. Nicholas was staff to the Senate Select Committee on Ethics and an intern for congressional and public affairs at the National Nuclear Security Administration.