A “sophisticated firm with a presence in all areas of the country,” this flourishing Floridian firm remains a dark horse in the BigLaw stakes.
Holland & Knight Lateral Profile 2024
One thing you can’t accuse Holland & Knight of is resting on its laurels. It’s a firm “focused on expansion and integration” when the time is right. And like the saying goes, there’s no time like the present. Proud of, but not confined to its Floridian roots, Holland & Knight boasts 34 offices in total comprising over 2,000 attorneys, and the numbers alone confirm its strong domestic and international presence. What started in 1919 in Tampa, this Knight and its cavalry have since expanded into countries all over the world, such as Algeria, Colombia, Mexico, and the UK. “I would say that the firm is in a period of growth right now, which is amazing!” declared one associate, proving that H&K has no plans of stopping there. With “sophisticated work and clients” as badges of honor, our sources could easily see the firm’s shining reputation through its penchant for “million-dollar deals.”
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join your firm? Associates say…
“The partners and associates I met were just as humble as they were accomplished and intelligent. There really seemed to be (and in fact is) a focus on genuine interactions and cutting through unimportant things to decrease stress.”
“The autonomy expected of associates at my level, the collegiality of the firm, and the expectations and desires to deliver good work product.”
“Partners in interviews were very welcoming, and that has been true throughout first year; they are the best.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
46 |
0.6 : 1 |
89% |
||
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
71% |
80% |
77% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm: We seek to further develop an organization and a culture where all talented individuals – including those traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession – can have a path to long-term success and feel that they are an integral part of an already collaborative team. We maintain a commitment to mentoring and feedback for all members of our team, and we complement that with personalized career planning and extensive learning opportunities for attorneys at all levels. With input and guidance from the practice group leader, mentor, an internal career coach as well as others, attorneys establish individualized short and long-term goal plans. The HK Institute also serves as the firm's global learning network, providing training for Holland & Knight attorneys and clients, including continuing legal education approved by state accredited agencies.
Hours & Compensation
|
2,000 |
9.8 |
48 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
58% |
68% |
78% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
said the benefits package makes the workload worthwhile |
found the bonus allocation fair and transparent |
Salaries
1st year: $225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $365,000
6th year: $390,000
7th year: $420,000
8th year: $435,000
The view from the firm: Associate base salary (excluding bonuses) is determined by a set lock-step system (same base salary for each class year). Attorneys may receive billable hour credit for qualifying diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as pro bono related activities.
Is Holland & Knight the right firm for you?
|
88% |
92% |
88% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
The view from the firm: Holland & Knight seeks candidates from various backgrounds with leadership skills, involvement in extracurricular activities and demonstrated commitment to their communities. We look for candidates who have the desire and ethical foundation to be significant lawyers in the firm, in the profession and in the community. We have been very successful in hiring candidates who meet these criteria, and as a result, our firm as a whole reflects these characteristics.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“The culture is incredibly supportive for a big firm. After having particularly busy months, leaders in my practice group reached out to check on me and helped re-allocate my workload to ensure I did not burn out. I did not expect that kind of support in a large law firm.”
“A sense of teamwork and the ability to act completely authentic without repercussions.”
“Holland & Knight is known for its positive culture, and it is all 100% accurate. It’s inclusive. People are funny and self-deprecating rather than stuck-up or snobby.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
57% |
27% |
28% |
||
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/cases/matters |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: Last year, Holland & Knight became one of a few large law firms to establish a Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) affinity group, which complements our existing eight affinity groups and ensures there are safe spaces for our MENA attorneys to gather and thrive.
In 2023, two of the firm’s affinity groups, hosted inaugural retreats:
- the Women’s Initiative Regional Leadership Retreat provided opportunities for business-focused relationship building led by business growth coach and author Deb Feder.
- the Black Affinity Group Associates Retreat provided an opportunity for in-person connection and meaningful programming to help optimize performance and opportunities, including featured speaker, Bryan Parker, Co-Founder and CEO of Legal Innovators
In 2023, we hosted world-class speaker and culture change expert, Michelle Silverthorn, to provide two firmwide DEI trainings. The first helped participants understand identify and interrupt bias to build a more inclusive workplace. The second helped increase awareness of best practices for allyship in the workplace, including ways to implement such practices.
Pro Bono
|
31 |
91% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Afghan Refugee Resettlement (various organizations, including HIAS) – assisting with securing visas or grants of asylum for individuals forced out of Afghanistan; Assistance to veterans and military families (various organizations, including ABA Military Pro Bono Project) – providing legal assistance to veterans and their families as well as active-duty military on matters ranging from benefits and service upgrades to civil disputes and domestic relations; Public-defender-reform initiative (working with Oregon Public Defender, ABA, and other organizations) – litigation and lobbying work on efforts to update standards applicable to public defenders and to increase resources for public defenders nationwide.
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: Holland & Knight provided pro bono legal services to the first “green” stock exchange – GIX - the first registered exchange dedicated to bringing together green investors and public companies committed to green corporate governance. Holland & Knight was one of five original signatories to a groundbreaking initiative to deliver free legal services worth $15M by 2020 to advance climate action around the world. The first-of-its-kind program, Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy (LSE), offered pro bono legal assistance to entrepreneurs, community-based nonprofits and governmental organizations taking on key sustainability challenges across multiple sectors. Since 2020, HK has continued to provide an average of $1M in pro bono support annually to advance climate action in conjunction with LSE. In 2019, the ABA adopted a resolution urging attorneys to take on a more active role in pro bono work for climate change. The effort was spearheaded by Holland & Knight Environment Partner Amy Edwards, who served as chair of the ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources (SEER) that developed the climate resolution. She presented it to the ABA House of Delegates – the resolution passed without opposition.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Find the firm’s recruitment contacts here.