DALLAS (July 13, 2026) – Holland & Knight continues its strategic expansion in Texas with the addition of Jessica Nicole Berkowitz, who has joined the Firm as a partner in its Corporate, M&A and Securities Section in Dallas. Ms. Berkowitz was previously a partner with Kirkland & Ellis, where she focused her practice on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity transactions.
“Jessica is a tremendous addition to our corporate team in Texas. She brings strong experience across M&A and private equity transactions,” said Jeremiah Mayfield, practice group leader for the Texas Region of the Corporate, M&A and Securities Section at Holland & Knight. “Her arrival strengthens our team in Dallas and positions us well to meet continued demand in the market. We are thrilled to welcome Jessica to the Firm.”
Ms. Berkowitz’s addition follows that of Litigation Partner Camelia Lopez Shoemaker, Healthcare Transactions Partner Kristin Ornstein, State and Local Tax attorneys Sam Megally, William LeDoux and Cindy Ohlenforst and Regulatory Partner Clarissa Howley Mills, who all joined Holland & Knight’s Dallas office this year.
Ms. Berkowitz will also support management services organization (MSO) transactions, which allow outside capital to invest in and support legal practices while preserving professional independence and ethical compliance. Holland & Knight’s Legal Services Transactions Team is highly regarded for its sophisticated approach to law firm operations and is a market leader in MSO structuring, alternative business structures (ABS) and regulatory compliance.
“Jessica brings high-level, sophisticated private equity and M&A experience to help us handle the extraordinary amount of deal flow we are experiencing in legal services MSO transactions,” said Josh Porte, partner and co-leader of the Firm’s Legal Services Transactions Team. “As we navigate the structural transformation of how law firms are owned, capitalized and operated, Jessica’s addition will further cement our position as a market leader in that space.”
“Holland & Knight is known as one of the most active middle-market M&A law firms in the world. Its corporate team in Dallas has built a strong reputation in M&A and private equity, and I am thrilled to join a firm that combines an innovative platform and collaborative culture to deliver sophisticated transactional counsel to clients,” Ms. Berkowitz said. “I look forward to working with my new colleagues in Texas and across the Firm to continue growing the practice and supporting clients on their most important transactions.”
Ms. Berkowitz received a J.D. degree from Vanderbilt Law School and a B.S. degree from Appalachian State University.
Recently recognized as the Private Equity Law Firm of the Year by the Global M&A Network and M&A Law Firm of the Year by M&A Advisor, 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.
