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A partner and two associates have left Holland & Knight and formed a new firm in Jacksonville, Florida. Partner Mark Alexander and associates Kelly DeGance and Michelle Bedoya Barnett have left Holland & Knight’s national labor, employment and benefits group to form Alexander Degance Barnett.
Alexander told the Jacksonville Daily Record he had been with Holland & Knight since graduating law school 26 years ago. He said the catalyst for the move was the current tough economic climate.
“The marketplace is the reality we all live in,” said Alexander. “One of the reasons we are doing this is to have more flexibility to meet the challenges our clients are experiencing in the current economic climate.”
Bedoya Barnett confirmed many of the group’s clients had been seeking a reduction in legal expenses.
“At Holland & Knight, we worked with a good amount of colleges and universities who are asking for different fee arrangements,” said Bedoya Barnett. “With a big firm, you can’t do that. A small firm has flexibility with its fee structure to meet those needs during a tough economy.”
According to the Daily Record report, the group’s clients were notified of the move and were given the opportunity to stay with Holland & Knight or go with the new firm. Missy Turra, executive partner for Holland & Knight in Jacksonville, said the firm will continue its employment practice, though there are no plans to bring in additional attorneys at this time.
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