WASHINGTON, D.C., December 20, 2004 – LAWFUEL – First for law news – Holland & Knight has announced the expansion of its leading education policy team. Amy Starzynski, the former chief operating officer of the Georgia Department of Education joins the firm’s Washington, D.C., office as senior counsel.
Holland & Knight’s education policy team is led by Art Coleman and Scott Palmer, former back-to-back deputy assistant secretaries for civil rights in the Department of Education. Holland & Knight works with a number of states across the country on the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, with universities on diversity issues, and on the development and implementation of other federal education laws.
Starzynski brings extensive experience in domestic and international policy advocacy. As COO for the Georgia Department of Education, she led the state’s implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, working with members of Congress and education officials to negotiate points of flexibility, ensure alignment with state law, and help use the new federal requirements to further state educational goals. She also oversaw the development of strategic plans for advocacy and crisis management.
Previously, Starzynski served as district counsel and communications director for Senator-elect Johnny Isakson of Georgia. Her experience in international law includes practicing as an attorney for KPMG Poland in Warsaw, where she handled matters including employment law and immigration. In addition, from 1996-1998 she served Vice President at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation. The Foundation has been a leader in education reform initiatives at the state level for many years.
“Amy is well-known as an experienced and innovative leader with an outstanding record of public service and a strong understanding of international and federal law and education policy,” said Rich Gold, Holland & Knight’s Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group Leader. “Her experience and skills as a problem solver will be of significant benefit to our clients, and we are very happy to have her on our team.” Starzynski’s arrival is another noteworthy boost to the firm’s highly respected Public Policy & Regulation practice group, which has added 14 professionals to its group this year
Starzynski is admitted to practice in Georgia. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from University of Georgia, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications, in 1989, and received her J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law in 1996. Starzynski currently is a member of the Regional Leadership Foundation, the Southern Center for International Studies and Georgia Bar Association.
About Holland & Knight’s Education Policy Team: Holland & Knight’s Education Policy Team provides states, school districts, universities and other education providers across the country with a unique array of counseling, advocacy and communication services. The team’s counseling services focus on preventive law. By helping education leaders meet their goals in ways that also satisfy federal legal requirements, the team helps them leverage federal law to improve education while reducing the risk of litigation or enforcement. The team’s advocacy services help education leaders work with the U.S. Department of Education and Congress to ensure that the sound education policies pursued by clients receive maximum flexibility and support. Finally, the team’s communications services help to effectively communicate policy actions, in the context of legal requirements, in ways that will promote public support and positive impact.
About Holland & Knight LLP: Holland & Knight is a commercial law firm with more than 1,250 lawyers in 26 offices in the United States. Internationally, offices are located in Mexico City, Tokyo and Beijing, with representative offices in Helsinki, Caracas and Tel Aviv, and strategic alliance relations in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Holland & Knight is among the 15 largest firms worldwide, providing representation in all major areas of law. www.hklaw.com
