Veterans Group
The Holland & Knight Veterans Group was founded on the fundamental premise that the men and women who have served our country and defended our freedoms deserve our talent and resources to improve their quality of life. The Veterans Group’s goal is to support veterans, active-duty military members, reservists and the families of each through pro bono and community service activities in our local communities and on a national basis. In addition, the Veterans Group collaborates, where appropriate, with other organizations that support veteran and military communities. In recent years, the Veterans Group was named “Veterans Program of the Year” and an “Outstanding Firm” in the Veterans Advancement category by the Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America.
Pro Bono Services
Holland & Knight feels that it is a privilege, and a responsibility, to assist veterans in need.
ABA Military Pro Bono Project: Holland & Knight is the only firm to receive the American Bar Association (ABA) Military Pro Bono Project Outstanding Services Award each year since its inception in 2012. The ABA Military Pro Bono Project accepts case referrals from military attorneys on behalf of junior-enlisted, activeduty military personnel facing civil legal issues.
Governor’s Initiative on Lawyers Assisting Warriors (GI LAW): Holland & Knight serves on the Steering Committee of the GI LAW program initiated by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019. Through GI LAW, Holland & Knight provides pro bono legal counsel to Florida’s active-duty service members in a variety of civil matters, including actions in local courts.
ABA’s Section of Taxation and the IRS: Each year, Holland & Knight professionals partner with the ABA’s Section of Taxation and the IRS to coordinate a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program that assists military members and their families.
Veterans Consortium: Holland & Knight professionals provide representation for veterans before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in connection with the Veterans Consortium.
Boston Veteran Treatment Court: Holland & Knight supports the Boston Veteran Treatment Court by assisting veterans participating in treatment with preparing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims.
VA Claims: Holland & Knight professionals assist veterans and their families nationwide with a wide range of VA claims. Such matters include VA disability claims (ranging from Agent Orange-related claims to post-traumatic stress disorder), disability appeals, overpayment of debt claims, and VA veteran’s pension and survivor’s benefits (including housebound and aid and attendance).
State Law-Related Claims: Holland & Knight professionals assist veterans and their families nationwide where there are Holland & Knight offices with a variety of state law-related claims. Such claims include eviction assistance, bankruptcy assistance, consumer protection claims and other tort-related claims.
Veterans Legal Services: Holland & Knight professionals provide free and comprehensive civil legal aid services to economically disadvantaged military veterans in Massachusetts. Pro bono legal services include housing eviction, discharge upgrades, wills/ healthcare proxies and state/federal veterans benefits.
Swords to Plowshares: Holland & Knight professionals help support the mission of healing the wounds of war, restoring dignity, hope and self-sufficiency to all veterans in need, and preventing and ending homelessness and poverty among veterans.
Holland & Knight is dedicated to providing pro bono legal assistance to military and veteran clients. Since 2016, Holland & Knight has performed more than 51,500 hours of military and veteran pro bono work valued at over $35.8 million. The table below provides a more detailed breakdown of Holland & Knight’s military and veteran pro bono in the last five years.
Community Outreach
In recent years, Holland & Knight attorneys and staff have prepared and sent more than 1,200 care packages to deployed service members and contributed more than 450 days of community service. Such service has included:
Participating in Wreaths Across America in Dallas and Arlington, Texas
Preparing care packages for the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund
Maintaining, painting, landscaping and otherwise supporting the Chicago Hope Manor Apartments, which provide permanent support housing for homeless veterans
Collaboration with Other Organizations
Creating lanyards for veterans and teddy bears for children of military families in connection with Operation Gratitude
Refurbishing the Walter Reed Bethesda Fisher House Complex, which provides a residence for service members and their families while receiving medical care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Preparing and serving meals at the New England Center and Home for Veterans
The Holland & Knight Veterans Group is at the forefront of military and veteran initiatives nationwide and collaborates with other organizations that share its core values.
ABA Leadership
Partner Daniel Sennott was appointed in 2022 to serve a three-year term on the American Bar Association's (ABA) Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP) Partners Nicholas Hasenfus and Daniel Sylvester also are former members of the ABA LAMP Committee, and Mr. Hasenfus is currently a special advisor to the committee.
Veteran Jobs Mission
Holland & Knight is the first and one of only two law firm members of Veteran Jobs Mission, a private sector-led coalition committed to hiring U.S. military veterans and military spouses. The coalition now comprises more than 250 companies that represent almost every industry in the American economy.
Mission United
Holland & Knight attorneys and staff actively participate in Mission United's nationwide expansion. Retired Partner Stephen Moss helped found Mission United in 2013 with the United Way of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The organization supports military service members, veterans and their families by helping them reacclimate to civilian life. Since its inception, Mission United has served more than 12,000 veterans and their family members.
Legal Services Corporation
Veterans Task Force
The Veterans Task Force is an initiative to assist former military service members in overcoming legal problems that create barriers as they transition from active duty to civilian life. Partner Nicholas Hasenfus and Retired Partner Stephen Moss are Veterans Task Force members and served on its implementation team, which helped administer recommendations from a report published by the organization.
