Tampa-based global law firm names new chair, CEO

Holland & Knight, a Tampa law firm with more 2,000 attorneys practicing at 34 offices around the world, has named Robert Grammig its new chairman and CEO, succeeding Steven Sonberg, who plans to step down in the first quarter of 2024.

The firm’s new leadership team, according to a news release, also includes Managing Partner David Whitestone and Deputy Managing Partner Tiffani Lee. The changes come amid massive growth for Holland & Knight, which merged with Tennessee-based Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis in March 2023 and Texas-based Thompson & Knight in August 2021.

During Sonberg’s 16 years of leadership, the release states, the firm has added nearly 900 lawyers and 17 offices, and through the end of 2022 had grown its revenue by nearly $1 billion.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead Holland & Knight and I am extremely grateful for the extraordinary contributions our attorneys and staff have made to our shared success,” Sonberg states in the release. “Bob’s sharp business and financial acumen, as well as his even-handed approach, will serve the firm well for many years to come.”

 

Grammig, the release states, joined Holland & Knight in 1982 and today is a partner in the firm’s Tampa; Washington, D.C.; and New York offices. He is also the co-leader of the firm’s corporate, M&A and securities practice group.

“David, Tiffani and I are humbled by the confidence our fellow partners have placed in us to lead this new era for Holland & Knight,” Grammig states in the release. “We thank Steve for his tremendous leadership, during which our firm revenue has grown from $546 million to a record $1.54 billion in 2022. Our success with lateral recruitment, as well as our practice, industry and geographical expansion, all flow from Steve’s clear vision of the firm’s strengths and his discipline in developing and executing an effective strategy.”