ATLANTA, November 22, 2004 – Holland & Knight llp announced today that Robert S.
Highsmith Jr., Deputy Executive Counsel to Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, will
rejoin the firm> ‘> s Atlanta government practice as a partner practicing
legislative, administrative, and regulatory law, government relations, and
litigation. He will serve as national team leader for the firm> ‘> s State
Capitals Team.
As executive counsel, Highsmith drafts and lobbies for the governor> ‘> s
legislative package each year, including sweeping ethics reform legislation, the
hallmark of the Governor> ‘> s agenda. He also advises the Governor on the full
range of executive legal matters, including the state budget process, government
procurement, and redistricting litigation.
Highsmith brings extensive experience in public policy litigation, representing
both governmental entities and private parties. As counsel for numerous Republican
candidates and office holders, he became one of the state> ‘> s foremost experts
on campaign and ethics law. In 2002, former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes appointed
him to the State Ethics Commission, a quasi-judicial body having statewide
jurisdiction over ethical issues involving public officials, lobbyists and state
vendors. The following year, he was named deputy executive counsel for Gov.
Perdue.
“Robert s understanding of the legislative and political processes is second
to none,” said Rich Gold, Holland & Knight s Public Policy & Regulation
Practice Group Leader.” He is well respected for his sound judgment and
capacity for creative problem solving. Robert will play an important leadership
role in ensuring the continued growth and success of our national State Capitals
Team, and we are delighted to welcome him back to the firm.> “>
Highsmith formerly served as assistant general counsel to the Georgia Republican
Party. During the 1999 General Assembly, he served as chief of staff to the
Republican Caucus of the Georgia House of Representatives. He also served as
director of policy and research to the 1998 Republican nominee for Governor of
Georgia.
Highsmith earned his bachelor> ‘> s degree in English at Yale University in 1995,
and received his J.D. from the University of Georgia in 1997.
About Holland & Knight> ‘> s State Capitals Team: The national State Capitals Team
is one of the largest in the United States, combining in-depth knowledge of state
and local governments with extensive geographic coverage that spans Georgia,
Florida, Massachusetts, California, Maryland and Rhode Island. The team works to
maximize clients> ‘> business operations by strategically managing governmental
opportunities and providing representation on a full range of procedural,
regulatory and substantive issues, including lobbying, representation before state
agencies or local governments, guidance in the procurement or grants-making
process or monitoring legislative and administrative developments.
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
http://www.hklaw.com>
