Intellectual Property Policy Strategist Kirsten Donaldson Joins Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 7, 2026) – Holland & Knight continues to strengthen its leading Public Policy & Regulation Group with the addition of Kirsten Donaldson as a partner in Washington, D.C. Ms. Donaldson most recently served as vice president of public policy at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), where she led policy development and regulatory advocacy on copyright, artificial intelligence (AI), media law and technology issues before Congress, federal agencies and the courts.

Prior to her role at NAB, she was vice president for legal matters at the Digital Media Association, representing major digital service providers on music licensing, copyright, AI policy and regulatory economics before the U.S. Copyright Office, Copyright Royalty Board and Congress. Ms. Donaldson is also a former legislative director and counsel to Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the current minority leader for the U.S. House of Representatives, where she played a central role in shaping landmark intellectual property (IP) legislation, including the Defend Trade Secrets Act, Music Modernization Act, creation of the Copyright Claims Board and patent litigation reforms.

Additionally, earlier in her career, Ms. Donaldson served as government relations counsel with the Intellectual Property Owners Association, where she represented intellectual property owners in trademark, copyright, patent and trade secret law matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Copyright Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Department of State and Congress.

"Kirsten brings strong policy credentials and long‑standing relationships with congressional leadership, making her exceptionally well‑positioned to guide clients," said Rich Gold, leader of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group. "Her addition aligns closely with the Firm's broader government-facing platform and creates meaningful opportunities for collaboration with our IP litigation, technology, media, entertainment and regulatory enforcement practices."

"The addition of Kirsten's skill set will be critical moving forward on issues ranging from intellectual property, artificial intelligence and technology policy," said R. David Donoghue, leader of Holland & Knight's nationwide Intellectual Property Group. "Kirsten's background will allow her to advise clients on multi-branch strategies, combining traditional IP counseling with legislative drafting, regulatory comments, agency engagement and amicus advocacy."

"Holland & Knight offers an ideal platform for me to apply my combined experience in IP strategy, policy and enforcement alongside a team that deeply understands the intersection of law, regulation and innovation," Ms. Donaldson said. "I'm excited to leverage my long‑standing relationships in Washington and my work on every major IP law change of the past 17 years to help clients advance their top‑line IP and policy objectives."

Ms. Donaldson earned an LL.M. degree in intellectual property law from The George Washington University Law School, a J.D. degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Law and a B.A. degree from California Lutheran University.