Overview

Ron Klein, a member of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group, has worked in the private sector as a business and transactional attorney for more than 25 years, as well as the public sector as an elected official in both Tallahassee and Washington. This experience offers a distinctive combination of skill sets in that he has worked and advised private sector principals and management on business and legal issues, as well as having served in the Florida House, Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Klein's ability to understand the complex issues and concerns of clients - combined with his extensive knowledge, resources and working relationships - enables him to help clients make the best strategic business decisions.

From 1992 through 1996, Mr. Klein served in the Florida House of Representatives and participated actively in economic development, financial service and healthcare committee and legislative work. From 1996 through 2006, he served in the Florida Senate continuing his involvement in business development and healthcare policy, as well as being elected as the Minority Whip and Democratic Leader. During his 14 years in the Florida Legislature, he worked closely with his peers and was committed to cultivating strong bipartisan relationships.

In 2006, Mr. Klein was elected to represent Florida's 22nd Congressional District, (Broward and Palm Beach counties), wherein he served two terms, continuing his focus on business development, healthcare and energy issues. He served on the full Financial Services Committee, with membership on the Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee, which was involved in the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit; and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. He also served on the full Committee on Foreign Relations and as vice chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia; the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade; and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

In his work in the Florida Legislature and U.S. House of Representatives, Mr. Klein played an active role in supporting the marine industry and yachting service businesses. He helped pass legislation streamlining costs of operations and worked on a regular basis with state and federal agencies which govern and regulate the marine industry and associated waterways.

Mr. Klein co-chaired the New Democrat Coalition Energy Task Force which, with a broad coalition of industry, environmental, and consumer groups, led the effort to pass energy policy based on robust investment in research and development, the development of energy efficient products and services and the use of incentives to encourage market certainty. As a member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere (Caribbean, Central and South America) within the Foreign Affairs Committee, he participated in a number of issues relating to political and international business relations between the United States and countries in the region.

Mr. Klein's practice at Holland & Knight includes advising clients in how to anticipate, consider, analyze and navigate rules, regulations and compliance in the financial services, healthcare and energy sectors. He also works in the areas of international business and trade.

Resident in the District of Columbia office solely to provide law related services, and not engaged in the general practice of law unless under the supervision of lawyer licensed to practice in the District of Columbia.

Credentials

Education
  • Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D.
  • The Ohio State University, B.A.
Bar Admissions/Licenses
  • Florida
Memberships
  • Jewish American Heritage Month Committee, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
  • Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), Founder and Chairman
  • Florida Democratic Party, Chair, Board of Trustees
  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Board Member, South Florida
  • U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Council
  • Wexner Heritage Foundation, Fellow
  • Flemming Fellows Institute, Fellow
  • Florida International Affairs Commission, Commissioner
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Committee for Economic Development, Trustee
Honors & Awards
  • Holland & Knight PCS Pro Bono All-Star, 2018-2021
  • Holland & Knight Community Service All-Star, 2019
  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Broward-Boca Outstanding Advocate Award, 2016
  • Florida Blue Key, Honorary Member
  • Politico, "Rookie of the Year," 2007