Holland & Knight Bolsters Litigation Practice with Addition of David G. Hetzel and Austin P. Olney

BOSTON, June 14 -- Holland & Knight issued the following news release:

Holland & Knight announced today that it has expanded its Litigation Practice Group in Boston with the addition of David G. Hetzel and Austin P. Olney as partners. Both come to the firm from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, where Mr. Hetzel was co-chair of the Energy Litigation Group and Mr. Olney was managing partner of the Boston office.

"We welcome David and Pierre, along with their remarkable skills and savvy. Their track record of success in the courtroom will be a tremendous asset to existing and new clients," said Ralph Lepore, leader of Holland & Knight's litigation practice in Boston.

"The depth of Pierre's experience in maritime law will be instrumental in ensuring that we continue to deliver seamless, quality services to our clients," added James Hohenstein, the national practice group leader of the firm's Maritime Group. "We are also delighted that David will be adding his substantial litigation experience to our firm."

A former assistant United States attorney for the District of Columbia, Mr. Hetzel brings more than 35 years of litigation experience to the firm. He has represented energy companies and other corporate clients in complex commercial litigation and class action cases, including securities fraud, business torts, toxic torts, breach of contract and environmental claims. He has also represented special litigation committees of corporate boards in the investigation of claims made in connection with shareholder derivative actions. An experienced trial lawyer in both civil and criminal cases, he has handled over 20 appellate matters in various federal and state courts.

Mr. Olney has represented international and domestic ship owners, marine insurers, protection and indemnity clubs, oil companies, oil terminals and spill response organizations on a wide variety of corporate, maritime, regulatory and environmental matters. He has also represented clients in enforcement proceedings, major pollution cases, agency rule makings and legislative projects. He counsels energy clients on the marine aspects of liquefied natural gas projects. He also advises clients on compliance with requirements for vessels and facilities that arise under international conventions, federal legislation and state laws, drawing on his prior experience as a congressional committee counsel tasked with drafting environmental legislation, and as the secretary of natural resources and environmental control for the state of Delaware.

"I'm excited to join Holland & Knight's preeminent litigation team," Mr. Hetzel said. "The firm is well known for its experienced trial lawyers, national platform and demonstrated excellence on behalf of clients."

"I was drawn to Holland & Knight because of its acclaimed maritime litigation practice and look forward to contributing my experience with matters at the junction of marine casualty and pollution cases to the team offerings," said Mr. Olney.

Mr. Olney graduated cum laude from Harvard College and received a J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Hetzel graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College and earned a J.D. degree from University of Virginia School of Law.

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