Holland & Knight Adds Two Attorneys to Launch Georgia Initiative

BRADENTON, Fla. - Lakeland, Fla.-based Holland & Knight has hired two attorneys to expand its practice in Georgia.

Woodrow "Woody" Vaughan III joined the firm as a partner and Allison Dyer joined as senior counsel to head up what the firm describes as its Georgia Public Finance Initiative, which is based in Atlanta.

Both Vaughan and Dyer previously worked in Atlanta with King & Spalding's public finance group.

"Their move to Holland & Knight was a major coup for the firm," said Robert Highsmith, executive partner in the Atlanta office. "Woody and Allison's experience in finance, affordable housing, and local economic development is complementary to our existing practices and the needs of our clients. We are excited to offer these new service areas as we continue to grow our Atlanta office."

Highsmith added: "Woody Vaughan is one of the strongest public finance attorneys practicing in Georgia."

The Georgia Public Finance Initiative is a strategic move to expand the firm's government and economic development finance practice. Its goals include becoming "a major force" in Georgia's public finance arena and to be the No. 1-ranked bond counsel in the state, Highsmith said.

Vaughan was a partner at King & Spalding, where he practiced for 17 years, while Dyer was a senior associate and had been at the firm for seven years. Both are members of the National Association of Bond Lawyers.

Since 2007, Vaughan represented clients in more than 185 public finance transactions totaling over $10.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of bonds. His primary work is in tax-exempt finance for state and local governments, multifamily housing facilities, stadiums, governmental and non-profit healthcare, educational and other facilities.

Vaughan has worked on large economic development incentive transactions in Georgia, and also assisted corporate clients looking to relocate or expand in the state. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Georgia. He is also a fellow in the American College of Bond Counsel.

Dyer's practice focuses on all areas of tax-exempt finance, including health care, charter and public schools, higher education, multi-family housing, utilities, local governments, stadiums, airports, non-profit entities, and economic development. She received a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and a law degree from the University of Georgia.

Holland & Knight has more than 20 public finance attorneys across the country that have participated in various aspects of financing more than $18.2 billion of debt in the last five years, according to firm officials.

"Eventually, the firm would like to have a powerful public finance practice in each major market where we have offices," Highsmith said. "We are already recognized for our strong public finance practices in Florida, New York and Illinois, and our tax practice in Washington, D.C."

H&K has more than 1,000 lawyers in 18 offices in the U.S., Abu Dhabi, Bogotá and Mexico City involved in litigation, business, real estate, and governmental law.

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