Holland & Knight Continues Expansion of Real Estate Practice With Addition of Richard Perez
April 19, 2005
Richard Perez - Miami
Former General Counsel to Florida Secretary of State Joins
the Miami Office
MIAMI – Holland & Knight LLP today announced that Richard Perez,
former General Counsel to the Florida Department of State, has joined the firm
as Senior Counsel. Perez, who joins the firm’s established real estate practice
group in Miami, will focus his practice on government contracts for land use
deals as well as corporate securities.
As General Counsel to the Florida Department of State, Perez actively managed
all legal matters pertaining to the 2004 presidential election. Prior to joining
the Department of State, he was Of-Counsel at Akerman Senterfitt’s Miami office
in its corporate practice group, focusing his practice on general corporate,
mergers and acquisitions, and governmental matters. While at Akerman Senterfitt,
he represented the Florida House of Representatives on matters related to the
2002 redistricting cycles, negotiated the agreements between Palm Beach County
and The Scripps Research Institute, and advised the federal court on re-drafting
Georgia’s state legislative districts.
The move marks the second time in three months that Holland & Knight has
strategically expanded the real estate practice group in Miami. In February, a
prominent group of land use and environmental lawyers, headed by partners Juan
Mayol, Joseph Goldstein, Alan Krischer and Ines Marrero-Priegues, joined the
firm from Akerman Senterfitt. Perez’ government contracts practice and
experience in varied political and governmental related matters is seen as a
significant complement to Holland & Knight’s recently acquired land use, zoning
and environmental expertise.
“We are delighted that Richard Perez has decided to join our growing real
estate practice group in Miami,” said John Halula, Holland & Knight real
estate practice group leader for Miami. “His outstanding talent and experience
in both the government sector and private practice further strengthens the broad
range of real estate legal services that Holland & Knight can provide to our
clients.”
“Richard represents the future of our office, and our community: a bilingual,
Harvard trained-lawyer who has established significant relationships at all
levels of government and business,” added Peter Prieto, Executive Partner of the
firm’s Miami office. “We are very pleased he has chosen to join Holland &
Knight.”
Contact: Susan Berliner, (813) 769-4326