Overview
Matt Burnstein serves as Executive Partner of Holland & Knight's Nashville office and serves on both the firm’s Executive Committee and Directors Committee. Mr. Burnstein began his legal career in 1996 with Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis (Waller), Nashville's oldest and largest law firm. From 2014 to 2023, Mr. Burnstein led Waller as managing partner and chair of the firm's board of directors, overseeing the strategic growth and direction of the firm. In 2023, under Mr. Burnstein's leadership, Waller combined with Holland & Knight, adding three offices and nearly 300 attorneys to Holland & Knight's national footprint.
As a practicing lawyer, Mr. Burnstein focused on mergers and acquisitions, and he regularly advised healthcare companies, private equity and venture capital firms, and emerging companies. Clients recognized and valued his instincts and experience, understanding of priorities and strategic objectives. Responsive and sensitive to client business needs, Mr. Burnstein is known for working effectively with opposing counsel to keep transactions on track.
In 2024, Mr. Burnstein was recognized by the Nashville Business Journal as among the most admired CEOs in Nashville. Chambers USA – America's Leading Business Lawyers also lists him as an Eminent Practitioner for his experience in corporate law and transactional matters. Matt is a member of the Board of Directors of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and serves as the organization’s General Counsel. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of The Jason Foundation, Inc., an organization dedicated to the prevention of youth and young adult suicide.
Representative Experience
- Led Waller during a period of substantial growth from 2014 to 2023 and leading the firm through its combination with Holland & Knight in March 2023
- Represented leading ambulatory surgery center companies in dozens of acquisitions, developments and syndications of LLCs and limited partnerships in joint ventures with physicians and/or hospitals
- Represented two publicly traded behavioral healthcare services companies in all aspects of their mergers and acquisitions programs, including a $250 million acquisition, a $145 million acquisition, the $70 million disposition of a non-core business and multiple single-facility acquisitions
- Advised an acute care hospital company in the acquisition of large physician practices and independent physicians associations and the formation of multiple joint ventures with technology providers and ancillary service line providers
- Handled more than 100 private placements on behalf of investors and issuers
Credentials
- Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D.
- Vanderbilt University, B.A., magna cum laude
- Tennessee
- Nashville Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- American Bar Association, Section of Business Law; Section on Health Law
- American Health Law Association
- Most Admired CEOs in Nashville, Nashville Business Journal, 2024
- Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers guide, Eminent Practitioner in Corporate/M&A work, 2011-2024
- In Charge, Nashville Post, 2019-2024
- Power 100 Disruptors, Nashville Business Journal, 2023
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Corporate Law, 2010-2025; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2013-2025
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
- Nashville Business Journal, Best of the Bar, 2018-2020, 2022, 2024