Prominent Attorney and Lobbyist James Jonas Joins Holland & Knight
March 1, 2005
W. James Jonas- Washington
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - Holland & Knight expands its government affairs
practice in Texas with the arrival of distinguished attorney W. James Jonas
III. Jonas, who is ranked among the state’s top lobbyists, joins the firm’s San
Antonio office as a partner in the Public Policy & Regulation group and a member
of its State Capitals Team.
Jonas has extensive experience in all aspects of local, state and federal
legislative matters. Constantly traveling between San Antonio, Austin, and
Washington, D.C., he counsels corporate clients, landowners, government
entities, political candidates and campaigns on a wide array of issues,
including economic development, policy advocacy and multi-state project
implementation. He brings significant breadth of knowledge spanning multiple
industries: information technology, education, health care, criminal justice,
financial services, base closures, economic development, transportation, gaming,
election law, privatization, telecommunications and environmental law.
“James’ arrival at the firm is another important step for Holland & Knight as
we continue to expand both the breadth and depth of our state lobbying
capabilities,” said Rich Gold, PP&R Practice Group Leader. “Holland & Knight’s
PP&R Group is one of the profession’s leading practices, providing both a
national and state platform to represent its government affairs clients.”
“James is a well-respected professional who has been actively involved in the
ongoing evolution of government affairs in Texas and in virtually every major
procurement policy shift in the state,” said Robert Highsmith, national team
leader for the State Capitals Team. “His addition to this already outstanding
team strengthens our presence in this region and will enhance our ability to
provide exceptional advocacy and counseling services.”
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Jonas was a co-applicant with the firm in
seeking selection as federal government affairs counsel for the City of San
Antonio. He is on the Board of Trustees for St. Mary’s Hall where he is
Co-Chair of the Development Committee. Jonas is a member of the State Bar of
Texas, and the American, District of Columbia and San Antonio Bar Associations.
Jonas serves in numerous civic leadership positions, including the University of
Texas San Antonio Development Board and Executive Committee, UTSA Department of
Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Council Chairman, and Greater San Antonio
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. James is known throughout the community
as an active advocate for autistic children to include his work with the
Treehouse Day Program for autistic children where his 9-year-old son, William,
is a student.
He earned his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law in 1987, and
received his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude with honors in politics
from Washington and Lee University in 1983.
About Holland & Knight’s State Capitals Team: The national State
Capitals Team is one of the largest in the United States, combining in-depth
knowledge of state and local governments with extensive geographic coverage that
spans Texas, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, California, Maryland, Rhode Island
and the District of Columbia. The team works to maximize clients’ business
operations by strategically managing governmental opportunities and providing
representation on a full range of procedural, regulatory and substantive issues,
including lobbying, representation before state agencies or local governments,
guidance in the procurement or grants-making process or monitoring legislative
and administrative developments.
Contact: Beth Salvosa, (202) 663-7240