Holland & Knight

The hallmark of Holland & Knight's success has always been and continues to be legal work of the highest quality, performed by well prepared lawyers who revere their profession and are devoted to their clients. Holland & Knight remains dedicated to developing and maintaining long-term relationships. The firm's growth is due in large part to the success of our clients. We are honored to be able to contribute to their success and growth across the United States and around the world. Since our beginning, Holland & Knight attorneys have delivered focused, responsive and personalized service resulting in lasting relationships with our clients.

The Joining of Two Firms With a Common Vision
In 1968, two law firms joined together to become Holland & Knight. One rose from the early days of industry and commerce in Tampa, the business center of Florida's west coast. The other was established amid the phosphate mines and citrus groves of inland Polk County. Both were founded by men who shared a passion for the law and public service, Spessard Holland and Peter O. Knight. When Mr. Knight died in 1946, Senator Holland was a pallbearer at his funeral - 22 years before the names of Holland and Knight would be linked in Florida's largest law firm.

A Tradition of Service
The heritage of business and civic leadership begun by the founders of Holland & Knight has provided the basis for continued service by past and present partners in the firm. A shining example of service to the legal profession was Chesterfield Smith, who served as the architect of the present day Holland & Knight law firm. He was president of The Florida Bar in 1964-65, and served as president of the American Bar Association in 1973-74. During his 55-year professional career, Chesterfield Smith was a major force in American law and politics.

Mr. Smith's influence in shaping Holland & Knight is legendary. He strongly believed it was possible to build a national firm with a presence in major U.S. markets, yet with the innovative premise that the local offices would not operate as individual profit centers and would be able to match the lawyer with the best skills for a particular client need, regardless of geography. Often called "America's Lawyer" and "the conscience of the legal profession," Chesterfield Smith is responsible for the shared values and core beliefs that continue to earn Holland & Knight recognition as a law firm that balances profits with public duty.

Our goal is clear. We want to be a leader in diversity. We want to be the firm most reflective of and responsive to our clients and communities. Pursuit of this goal guides us to recruit and maintain a diverse workforce of lawyers and staff inclusive of racial, gender, age, ethnic, national, sexual orientation and religious differences.

At Holland & Knight, we believe our clients receive the highest quality service when their legal teams are drawn from professionals mirroring the increasing diversity of the marketplace.

Holland & Knight is proud of having built one of the largest, most respected law firms in the world today – a firm known for delivering extraordinary legal service to clients, promoting a friendly and caring work environment, and giving back to our communities. That's the legacy of the lawyers and professionals who have chosen to spend their careers at Holland & Knight, and if that's the legacy you would like to build, we encourage you to explore what Holland & Knight has to offer. Click here to view Holland & Knight's current job opportunities.

Holland & Knight is the 22nd largest firm in the United States based on size according to the National Law Journal's 2017 NLJ 350 and was ranked 42nd in the country by The American Lawyer based on gross revenues of $803,000,000 in 2016.  Holland & Knight and our attorneys are frequently recognized by leading industry groups and publications, such as Chambers, Best Lawyers and BTI Consulting Group. In August 2017, Holland & Knight was ranked by BTI Consulting Group among the top 10 most recommended law firms based on client feedback for more than 15 years in a row.

Holland & Knight has a long tradition of public service. The firm's commitment to pro bono work was led by the late Chesterfield Smith, the firm's founder and chairman emeritus. Mr. Smith imbued Holland & Knight with a sense of community purpose and the recognition that the firm has a duty to provide free legal service to people in need as well as the organizations that assist them. These time-honored traditions still play a defining role at Holland & Knight. 

Holland & Knight's Public and Charitable Service Department integrates the firm’s global pro bono, community service and charitable giving initiatives to make deeper investments in communities in need. To learn more about our programs, visit https://www.hklaw.com/Community-Commitment/.