Overview

Scott D. Ponce is a partner in Holland & Knight's Miami office. He practices in the areas of complex civil and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on class action litigation and arbitration, and media law. He defends class action lawsuits in federal and state courts throughout the United States. He also has represented numerous national and local media outlets in defamation suits, public records litigation, opposing the closure of court records and proceedings, and the prepublication review of articles and broadcasts. Mr. Ponce also has extensive experience in representing clients in intellectual property litigation, particularly relating to copyright infringement and trademark issues. Additionally, Mr. Ponce has extensively litigated issues arising under the Helms-Burton Act, serving as lead counsel in two of the first major cases that were filed under the Act.

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Ponce served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Edward B. Davis, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Mr. Ponce is admitted to practice in the States of Florida, Vermont and New York, the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida, and the United States Circuit Courts of Appeal for the Second, Ninth and Eleventh Circuits.

Mr. Ponce received a B.S.B.A. in finance, with honors, from the University of Florida in 1995. He received his J.D., with honors, from the University of Florida College of Law in 1998. While in law school he was a member of the Florida Law Review. 

Media Coverage

Representative Experience

Credentials

Education
  • University of Florida, J.D., with honors
  • University of Florida, B.S.B.A., with honors
Bar Admissions/Licenses
  • Florida
  • New York
  • Vermont
Court Admissions
  • All State Courts in Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Honors & Awards
  • Florida Super Lawyers magazine, 2017-2024
  • Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend magazine, 2022
  • Daily Business Review Professional Excellence Award, Holland & Knight - Litigation Departments - International Large Honoree, 2017
  • Most Effective Lawyer Finalist, Class Action, Daily Business Review, 2014
  • Most Effective Lawyer Finalist, Public Interest, Daily Business Review, 2014
  • Top Lawyer, South Florida Legal Guide, 2014, 2015
  • Holland & Knight Public and Charitable Service All-Star, 2014
  • Top Up and Comer, South Florida Legal Guide, Commercial Litigation, Media Law, 2009-2013
  • Client Service All-Star, The BTI Consulting Group, Inc., 2013
  • Most Effective Lawyer Finalist, Public Interest, Daily Business Review, 2013
  • NAACP Foot Soldier In the Sands Award, 2013
  • Best Up and Coming Florida Attorney, Florida Trend, 2004, 2007, 2008

Publications

Speaking Engagements

News