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Holland & Knight Announces Opening of Abu Dhabi Office to Better Serve Clients in the Region and Worldwide

Holland & Knight's law office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, serves clients located or doing business in the Middle East as well as the surrounding regions of Africa, Central Asia, India and Pakistan.

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Update on the Troubled Asset Relief Program

On October 1, the Senate approved H.R. 1424 by a vote of 74-25. This bill, among other things, would allow the federal government to purchase assets blamed for the freezing credit markets. On October 3, the House approved the Senate-amended version of H.R. 1424 by a vote of 263-171. The legislation will be sent to the White House where President Bush is expected to sign the bill in the immediate future.

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Press Releases

Holland & Knight Leads the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Battle to Prevent the Closing of Willow Grove Airforce Base
 
 July 13, 2005
 

Former Marine Corps General Counsel Peter Murphy Advises Pennsylvania Governor Rendell in Lawsuit Filed Against Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld

 Washington, D.C. – The international law firm Holland & Knight LLP announced today that members of the firm’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and Federal Practice teams, Peter Murphy, Steven Gordon and Michael Galano are serving as counsel to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the fight to keep Willow Grove Airforce Base open.  Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell, along with Senators Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum, have commenced legal action to prevent the Department of Defense (DoD) from deactivating the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. 

Governor Rendell and both Pennsylvania Senators filed suit, Rendell v. Rumsfeld, in federal court on July 11th alleging that the Department of Defense’s recommendation to deactivate the 111th Fighter Wing of the Pennsylvania National Guard violates federal law because any change to a state’s national guard requires the Governor’s consent.  The action arises under the “militia clause” of the United States Constitution and is intended to supplement the state’s arguments before the BRAC Commission.

Peter M. Murphy who is leading the Holland & Knight legal team for the Commonwealth, was the General Counsel of the United States Marine Corps for twenty years before joining the law firm in 2004.  Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Murphy dealt closely with high level government officials, including the Secretary of the Navy and senior members of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Mr. Murphy has served as a front line advocate for the Marine Corps with the Congress, dealing with Members, drafting and shepherding critical legislation.  As the general counsel for a $19 billion enterprise, Mr. Murphy’s advice has encompassed a myriad of issues; from sensitive personnel issues to complex weapons systems development and acquisition, to environmental concerns associated with worldwide military operations and homeland security.

To view Governor Rendell’s release please click the following link: http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=444153

Contact: Beth Salvosa, (202) 663-7240