Holland & Knight Grows National Security, Defense and Intelligence Team with Addition of Simon Coon

WASHINGTON (June 27, 2023) – Holland & Knight welcomes Senior Policy Advisor Simon Coon to the firm's Public Policy & Regulation Group in Washington, D.C. Mr. Coon, who has a distinguished background in military and veterans affairs, will be a member of the firm's National Security, Defense and Intelligence Team and focus on advising defense contractors.

Most recently, Mr. Coon served as a professional staff member on the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and was responsible for advising Chairman Jon Tester on issues relating to budgetary and policy oversight of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs programs. Concurrently, he served as the military legislative assistant to Sen. Tester, where he advised on U.S. Department of Defense policy and appropriations, foreign policy and relevant national security issues.

Mr. Coon's professional experience also involves significant military posts in the U.S. Marine Corps and working as an anti-money laundering compliance specialist for Capital One. He was also a legislative intern for U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

"Simon is an excellent addition to our team with his extensive Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs background," said Jason Klitenic, leader of the firm's National Security, Defense and Intelligence Team. "Experienced and well-connected professionals like Simon add significantly to our team's wealth of firsthand experience with key legislation and the appropriations process."

"I am excited to enter a new chapter at Holland & Knight," said Mr. Coon. "The firm's National Security, Defense and Intelligence Team includes a number of distinguished former senior government officials, and I'm honored to be working beside them to advance our clients' strategic objectives."

Mr. Coon earned an M.A. degree from Naval War College and a B.A. degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.