Three Holland & Knight Partners Appointed Practice Group Leaders Within Firm's Litigation Section
Washington, D.C. / Tampa, FL – March 7, 2011 – Holland & Knight Litigation Practice Group Chair, John Hogan, is pleased to announce the appointments of Lynn Calkins, as Practice Group Leader for the Mid-Atlantic Litigation Group; Steve Shapiro, as Practice Group Leader for the Construction Litigation Group; and Joe Varner as Practice Group Leader of the Tampa Litigation Group. Calkins and Shapiro are partners in the firm's Washington, D.C. office, and Varner is a partner in the firm's Tampa office.
"I am pleased to appoint Lynn, Steve and Joe to these practice group leadership positions," said Hogan. "The breadth and depth of their legal experience will be a tremendous asset as they take on their new roles for the Litigation Section."
Calkins litigates complex commercial and real estate related disputes. Her focus is on defending claims under the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act brought against real estate developers, hotels, retailers, and local governments. Calkins has handled numerous business and real estate disputes, zoning appeals, regulatory matters, and breach of trust cases. She has successfully prosecuted and defended actions in local and federal courts across the country with extensive experience on matters pending in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.
Shapiro focuses his practice on construction law, public contracts and commercial litigation. Building on his experience representing contractors, public and private owners, architects, engineers and construction managers, he has developed extensive legal experience in all aspects of government and commercial contracts, construction procurement, contract administration, bid protests, claims, dispute resolution and litigation, regulatory compliance and subcontractor, supplier and surety relations. Shapiro also has significant experience with legal issues arising from building defects and mold.
Varner is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has litigated complex liability and medical issues ranging from corporate shareholder disputes to wrongful death arising from medical malpractice. He has obtained significant jury verdicts and settlements in commercial and personal injury litigation and has conducted numerous jury trials in state and federal court. Varner is also a certified mediator in state and federal court.