LOS ANGELES (December 5, 2022) – Holland & Knight continues to strengthen its leading Corporate, M&A and Securities Practice Group with the addition of Simone Collins as a partner in its Century City office. Ms. Collins' practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, joint ventures and other complex investment and strategic business transactions. Prior to joining Holland & Knight, she was a partner at Sklar Kirsh LLP.
Ms. Collins has extensive experience advising companies, private equity firms, entrepreneurs and investors with the structuring and negotiation of domestic and cross-border transactions, including stock and asset acquisitions and dispositions, leveraged buyouts, strategic add-ons, debt and equity financings, and other general corporate and business matters. She represents clients in a broad array of industries, including technology and software, media and entertainment, retail and consumer products, professional services, hospitality and restaurants, and manufacturing and industrials.
"Simone is a trusted business adviser who will further expand our firm's extensive experience in M&A transactions, particularly in the technology and software sector," said Eric Wechselblatt, deputy section leader of Holland & Knight's Business Section. "She brings significant experience in leading and coordinating transactions, both on the sell and buy side, and will be a valuable asset to our growing team in Southern California."
Holland & Knight opened its Century City office in June when the lawyers of Pircher, Nichols & Meeks joined the firm. Century City became Holland & Knight's fourth office in California, joining locations in downtown Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco.
"I am impressed with Holland & Knight's commitment to growing its corporate M&A practice as well as its presence on the West Coast," Ms. Collins said. "The firm is highly regarded for its deep bench and has earned a remarkable reputation for first-rate client service, making it the ideal platform for my practice."
Ms. Collins earned a J.D. degree from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and a B.S. degree from the University of Maryland.