AUSTIN, Texas (December 2, 2025) – Holland & Knight has bolstered its market-leading corporate, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity practices with the addition of Carmelo Gordian as a partner in Austin. Mr. Gordian was previously a partner with A&O Shearman.
"Carmelo is an experienced and well-respected venture capital partner and will be a vital asset as we grow our presence in the Texas ECVC industry," said Jeremiah Mayfield, practice group leader for the Texas Region of the Corporate, M&A and Securities Group at Holland & Knight. "In addition, his practice will offer opportunities for synergy across our intellectual property, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and life sciences groups. He also continues our momentum in Austin after bringing on M&A Partner Ronnie Skloss earlier this year. We're excited to have him on the team."
Mr. Gordian, who is well known in the emerging companies and venture capital (ECVC) sector, represents general partners and limited partners of hedge funds, private equity funds and venture capital funds. Mr. Gordian has represented emerging growth companies in transactions in North America, South America, Europe and Asia and has acted as company and investment counsel on several hundred private offerings, principally venture financings, throughout the past 30 years. He represents clients in the cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, life sciences, and telecommunications and software industries, as well as clients in the energy space. Mr. Gordian also advises companies and boards of directors on corporate governance issues and serves as counsel to special committees formed by boards of directors. He has been consistently ranked in the Chambers USA guide since 2007 and was named a Senior Statesperson in 2021.
"Carmelo's insights will be extremely valuable to the distinct needs of our ECVC clients, who are looking for creative solutions to the challenges they face as they navigate their businesses' life cycles," said Tim Poydenis, co-head of Holland & Knight's Emerging Companies and Venture Capital practices. "He is a great addition to the team, and I look forward to collaborating with him to help our clients thrive."
"I look forward to expanding Holland & Knight's capabilities in the venture capital space in Texas, nationally and internationally," Mr. Gordian said. "I'm impressed by the Firm's M&A and capital market offerings and its comprehensive approach to helping emerging companies. I am eager to collaborate with my new colleagues to add valuable services for my clients and continue to enhance and grow my practice."
Mr. Gordian received a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School and a B.A. degree from Harvard University.
Recently recognized as the Private Equity Law Firm of the Year by the Global M&A Network, Holland & Knight regularly ranks among the leading M&A and private equity law firms in reputable, benchmarking league tables published by Bloomberg, LSEG Mergermarket, PitchBook and The Deal. Through the HK Deal Flow℠ program, Holland & Knight facilitates deal leads for clients and prospective clients by matching acquisition or capital raising opportunities with buyers and investors.