Mighty 25: Dan Sylvester and Holland & Knight's Million-Dollar Pro Bono Effort for Veterans and Military Families
Financial Services attorney Daniel Sylvester was recognized by We Are The Mighty for transforming Holland & Knight's Veterans Group from a small internal network into a nationwide program delivering millions in pro bono legal services to veterans, service members and military families. After stepping into leadership in 2014, he scaled the group to 250 members across 34 offices and built a robust platform that addresses a wide spectrum of needs, from disability claims and discharge upgrades to consumer issues that arise while service members are deployed, totaling an estimated $4 million in pro bono work each year.
As an Army veteran, Mr. Sylvester brings firsthand understanding of the unique challenges facing the military community and channels that experience into sustainable impact. Under his leadership, the firm has earned the American Bar Association's (ABA) Outstanding Military Service Award every year since 2012 and deepened partnerships with the ABA's Legal Assistance to Military Personnel Committee, PALADIN and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to broaden access to legal support and resources for the military community.
"Being mighty is doing more than you realize you are capable of," Mr. Sylvester said, reflecting on the power of service after service and the team effort behind the initiative's impact.