Press Release
December 9, 2013

Holland & Knight Attorneys Recognized as "Most Effective Lawyers in South Florida"

MIAMI (December 9, 2013) At the Daily Business Review's 9th annual Most Effective Lawyer awards luncheon on December 6, Holland & Knight had finalists in several categories and took home the top awards in the areas of Corporate Securities and Product Liability.

The finalists and winners are composed of more than 70 South Florida attorneys in 13 practice areas chosen by the Review's editorial staff. Those selected scored the biggest jury verdicts and settlements, won in criminal court, or achieved significant client victories affecting public policy or business in 2013.

Most Effective Lawyer Winners

Holland & Knight partners Tracy Nichols, Louise McAlpin and Stephen Warren were named the winners of the Corporate Securities category. They were recognized for their successful defense of client MAKO Surgical Corp. against a class action securities suit brought by shareholders who alleged that MAKO misled them about future sales projections.

Partner Lee Teichner and associate Eleni Kastrenakes won the top prize in the Product Liability category for defending Pirelli Tire, LLC and Pirelli North America Inc. against claims brought by a couple who suffered injuries in a motorcycle crash. The couple claimed that their rear tire was defectively designed and manufactured, however Mr. Teichner successfully argued that the tire failed due to prior impact damage from a road hazard encountered during its service history.

Most Effective Lawyer Finalists

In the Pro Bono category partner Stephen Moss and associate Amber Goethel were recognized as nominees for their work with Mission United, a new collaboration between the United Way and the American Red Cross that helps U.S. military service members, veterans and their families in Broward County. Stephen, who serves as chair of the Mission United Advisory Committee, was instrumental in launching the effort and raising both awareness and support. Amber, who chairs the Pro Bono Legal Services Subcommittee, helped coordinate the recruitment and training of more than 250 volunteer lawyers for the project.

Additionally, partner Scott Ponce was honored in the area of Public Interest for his pro bono representation of a Haitian journalist who was sued for defamation by the Prime Minister of Haiti. Mr. Ponce was able to invalidate an order that prevented the journalist from writing about the Prime Minister in the future by proving that it violated the First Amendment's prohibition of prior restraints on speech.

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