Holland & Knight Forms Florida Government Advocacy Team
May 15, 2007
Bob Martinez- Tampa
Karen Walker - Tallahassee
The team will be co-led by former Florida Governor Bob Martinez and Karen Walker.
TALLAHASSEE – Holland & Knight strengthens its government affairs practice in Florida with the strategic formation of the Florida Government Advocacy Team. The team, which will be co-led by former Florida Governor Bob Martinez and partner Karen Walker, consists of lawyers and senior professionals in offices throughout the state, from Tallahassee to Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville. Team members represent clients in legislative and regulatory matters at all levels of Florida government, including the Florida Legislature, the executive branch, and local governments, as well as school districts and governmental authorities.
"Under the leadership of Governor Martinez and Karen Walker, Holland & Knight will build upon its established history of effectively advocating for clients before state and local governments in Florida," states Rich Gold, leader of the firm''s Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group. "By bringing together the talents and experience of the members of the firm's Florida Government Advocacy Team, Holland & Knight will be uniqid16048/mpgid28/uely positioned to expand its legislative and regulatory practice at all levels of government within the State of Florida."
Gov. Martinez is a senior policy advisor with Holland & Knight's Securities and Public Companies practice. One of Florida's most respected leaders, his distinguished career in public service spans more than 40 years. Career highlights include serving in the following positions: Cabinet-level office as the nation's second Drug Czar under President George H.W. Bush from 1991-1993, Governor of Florida from 1987-1991 and Mayor of the City of Tampa from 1979-1986. He earned his B.S. in Education in 1957 from the University of Tampa, and received his master's degree in labor and industrial relations in 1964 from the University of Illinois. He maintains offices in Tampa, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.
Karen Walker serves as executive partner of the firm's Tallahassee office. Her practice encompasses all aspects of Florida administrative law, and she has a broad range of experience in Florida state and local procurement matters and public utility law. She practices before the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, the Florida Legislature, various state agencies, local governments, and trial and appellate courts. She is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts and in the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern districts of Florida. Walker earned her B.S. magna cum laude in communication studies from Florida State University in 1990 and her J.D., with high honors, in 1993 from the University of Florida College of Law.
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