Holland & Knight Significantly Expands Tennessee Government Advocacy Team with Former Jigsaw Principal, Gov. Lee's Former Deputy Chief of Staff, Former Aide to Sen. Blackburn, and Bass, Berry & Sims Consultant

NASHVILLE (October 5, 2026) – Holland & Knight has significantly expanded one of Tennessee's strongest and largest government relations practices with the addition of four experienced policy and advocacy professionals to its Tennessee State and Local Government Advocacy Team. The group includes Senior Public Affairs Advisors Steven Henry, Christian Potucek, and Andrew Palmer, as well as Public Affairs Advisor Mary Martha Willson. The additions bring direct, high-level experience from the administration of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, the office of U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), political consulting, and private practice.

Their combined experience adds further depth to a team with clients and influence at the state and local level across Tennessee, offering a distinct combination of relationships with the state's top decision-makers and their staff, hands-on campaign and legislative experience, private practice insight, and a track record of navigating complex stakeholder environments on behalf of major corporate and institutional clients.

"This is a significant strategic investment in our Tennessee platform," said Robert Highsmith, leader of the Firm's State and Local Policy and Regulation Practice Group. "Steven, Christian, Andrew, and Mary Martha are joining one of the strongest and largest government relations practices in the state with the relationships, judgment, and reach to help clients advance priorities across Tennessee. Their collective experience across the governor's office, U.S. Senate, private sector, and private practice strengthen our ability to guide clients through complex decisions at every level of state and local government."

"Our clients increasingly need advocacy that is as statewide as their priorities, and our team is designed for that kind of impact," said James Weaver, leader of Holland & Knight's Tennessee State and Local Government Advocacy Team. "We work with clients on consequential matters before the General Assembly and executive branch, and with local governments throughout Tennessee. Steven, Christian, Andrew, and Mary Martha each understand how policy is shaped, how coalitions are built, and how decisions get made across the state. Their addition strengthens a platform that already has deep relationships, broad reach, and a proven ability to deliver results for clients across Tennessee and the Southeast."

Mr. Henry, a former principal at Jigsaw, has extensive experience in lobbying and stakeholder engagement, including consulting on major Metro Nashville corporate relocation and development projects. He and Mr. Weaver helped lead the successful effort to secure approval of the Tennessee Titans' new stadium. He is adept at developing and executing effective strategies in complex political environments, delivering policy outcomes, and building coalitions among diverse stakeholders. Prior to his work at Jigsaw, he worked on the gubernatorial campaign of Karl Dean and the mayoral campaign of David Briley. He earned an MBA degree from Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management and a B.S. degree from Belmont University.

Mr. Potucek has spent the past five years as a member of Gov. Lee's administration, serving as deputy chief of staff for external affairs. In this role, he led the administration's engagement efforts with local governments, community leaders, and advocacy groups across the state. He is a veteran of numerous campaigns ranging from the U.S. Senate to the Tennessee State Senate. He earned a B.A. degree from Vanderbilt University.

Mr. Palmer joins Holland & Knight from the Nashville office of Sen. Blackburn, where he worked extensively with elected officials, agency commissioners, business leaders, and community stakeholders throughout Middle Tennessee. Through that role, Mr. Palmer developed relationships across Tennessee's political, governmental, and public policy landscape and gained experience navigating government affairs matters at the federal, state, and local levels. He also supported federal legislative initiatives in coordination with the senator's Washington, D.C., legislative team and monitored legislative and policy developments before the Tennessee General Assembly. Mr. Palmer earned a J.D. degree from Mississippi Christian University School of Law and a B.B.A. degree from the University of Mississippi.

Ms. Willson joins Holland & Knight from Bass, Berry & Sims, where she advised clients on regulatory and policy matters. For two years, Ms. Willson focused on alcohol distribution expansion in the state, environmental regulation for several counties, and worked on resolutions for corporate tax increases. Through these experiences, Ms. Willson developed foundational connections with Tennessee leaders and stakeholders across the state. Earlier in her career, she clerked for the Honorable Don Ash of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Ms. Willson earned a J.D. degree from Belmont University College of Law and two B.A. degrees from Mississippi State University.

Holland & Knight's Tennessee State and Local Government Advocacy Team is one of the strongest and largest government relations practices in Tennessee, with clients and influence at the state and local level across the state. The team is a strong lobbying force before Tennessee's executive branch, Tennessee General Assembly, local governments across Tennessee, and the many agencies of state and local government.