Holland & Knight Attorneys Recognized as "Most Effective Lawyers in South Florida" for Pro Bono and Public Interest Work

MIAMI – December 12, 2011 – Kevin E. Packman and Daniel S. Fridman, partners in Holland & Knight's Miami office, were recognized among the "Most Effective Lawyers in South Florida" by the Daily Business Review at their 7th annual awards luncheon.

The finalists and winners are composed of 95 South Florida attorneys in 14 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 2011.

Packman was the winner in the area of Pro Bono. He was recognized for his effort the past two years leading an effort throughout South Florida that helps Holocaust survivors apply for and collect a German pension for work performed during the Holocaust. He and a team of volunteers from Holland & Knight have met with approximately 500 survivors and Kevin has personally put in more than 528 hours on this project. Overall the team has successfully collected $827,171 in total retroactive compensation for 59 survivors; this is in addition to the survivors' monthly pensions, which average about $316.

Fridman was recognized as a finalist in the area of Public Interest for his successful representation of a prison inmate who was wrongfully incarcerated. Fridman helped expose serious systemic violations of due process and Constitutional rights by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in South Florida, resulting in the court-ordered immediate release of his client, a settlement of $300,000 for attorneys’ fees and damages, a letter of apology from the Bureau of Prisons, and the launching of investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General.