Johnny P. ElHachem

Johnny ElHachem is a litigation and regulatory attorney in Holland & Knight's Tallahassee and Miami offices and is recognized for his extensive background in gaming law, regulatory matters and complex business litigation. Mr. ElHachem leverages his international and government background, as well as his fluency in Arabic, French and English, to provide comprehensive legal representation to clients in the United States and abroad. His global perspective and in-depth knowledge of various legal systems help to ensure that his clients receive legal counsel tailored to the complexities of today's interconnected world.

Gaming Law, Horse Racing and Regulation

Mr. ElHachem draws from his extended experience as a former assistant general counsel for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), an agency that licenses and regulates more than 1 million entities in Florida, to help clients navigate regulatory challenges and ensure proactive compliance.

While there, Mr. ElHachem was the deputy chief attorney for the gaming and horse racing division for years, and possesses a deep understanding of the nuances and challenges of regulatory matters. In his role at the gaming division, he served as the lead litigation counsel and handled and first-chaired high-profile cases involving casinos and racetracks. Additionally, he offered counsel to executives on the intricacies of gaming law, ensured strict compliance with regulations, including licensing and permitting, and played a pivotal role in drafting many of the current rules governing Florida's gaming, equine and horse racing industries. This includes regulations overseeing cardrooms, slot machines, and the safety and integrity of horses and greyhounds.

At Holland & Knight, Mr. ElHachem harnesses his experience as a former regulator to benefit his clients. Monitoring and assessing various regulatory developments across several jurisdictions, he aims to keep his clients well-informed about the ever-evolving laws and developments surrounding pari-mutuel wagering, sports betting, daily fantasy sports and other regulated industries.

Complex Business Litigation

Mr. ElHachem also has extensive experience in administrative tribunals and state and federal courts across multiple states. In addition to his gaming law practice, he has represented entities and investors in circuit and appellate courts in cases involving business fraud, corporate and partnership disputes, breaches of fiduciary duties and derivative actions. Mr. ElHachem has represented federal receivers in matters focusing on Ponzi schemes and has collaborated with various regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

International Perspective

Having lived, worked and studied in Lebanon, France and Saudi Arabia before relocating to the United States, Mr. ElHachem brings a global perspective to his practice. His international experience includes advising on local and international regulatory compliance matters, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the UK Bribery Act.

Community Engagement, Mentorship and Pro Bono

Beyond his legal practice, Mr. ElHachem is an active community member, serving on multiple boards and volunteering as a college mentor with Strive for College. He is dedicated to mentoring new attorneys and law students, guiding them in their career development. He also strives to provide pro bono representation in excess of 100 hours on a yearly basis.