Holland & Knight bolstered its financial services and real estate teams this month with three new Texas partner hires.
The firm has added Danielle Reyes in Austin from Goodwin Procter; John “J.” Pieratt in Austin from DLA Piper; and Kate Pennartz in Dallas from Squire Patton Boggs.
DANIELLE REYES
Reyes provides broad regulatory compliance advice with a focus on responsible investment, financial regulatory matters, corporate social responsibility programs, non-financial reporting and human rights. Prior to her recent five-year tenure with Goodwin Procter, Reyes was in-house at USAA for nine years and eventually rose to be the San Antonio financial services giant’s lead banking regulatory attorney.
“Danielle is an exceptionally qualified attorney with strong regulatory compliance and banking experience,” Matthew Fontane, co-chair of Holland & Knight’s national Financial Services Team, said in a firm announcement. “Her multifaceted practice combined with her in-house experience will be a great benefit to our clients in Austin, the broader Texas market and the firm’s national platform.”
Areas of focus: Reyes advises companies on fair responsible banking, financial inclusion, and Community Reinvestment Act issues. She also provides regulatory guidance related to FinTech, the insurance sector and traditional banking areas, including retail and small business product development, licensing, other state and federal regulatory interactions, co-branded credit card programs and FinTech-bank partnerships.
Education: Rice University (BA, 2001); Duke University School of Law (JD, LL.M, 2005)
“J” PIERATT
Pieratt represents national and regional investors, businesses, developers and lenders as they acquire, develop, finance, sell and lease commercial real property in Texas and throughout the country.
“Holland & Knight has seen remarkable growth in Texas over the past several years, and joining the firm presents an exceptional opportunity to expand my practice to the benefit of my clients,” Pieratt said in a firm press release.
Pieratt practiced for the last 11 years at DLA Piper. His family started the Moss Pieratt Foundation to help fund research and promote awareness regarding the sudden unexplained death of children over the age of 12 months.
Areas of focus: His experience covers leasing, development, private equity and alternative asset management, leading operations, retail and office spaces, technology investments and real estate investment management for a variety of industries.
Education: The University of Texas (BA); SMU Dedman School of Law (JD)
KATE PENNARTZ
Pennartz represents clients in the acquisition, construction, development, financing, leasing and disposition of various commercial properties, including office buildings, shopping centers, condominiums and industrial sites. “Kate’s broad experience with a variety of real estate matters and transactions makes her an ideal fit for our team,” Matthew Swerdlow, co-practice group leader of Holland & Knight’s Texas Real Estate Practice Group, said in a firm news release. “Her addition is not only of strategic importance but necessary due to the volume of ongoing and anticipated client work in our practice.”
Pennartz started her career at Winstead and has practiced for nearly a decade at Squire Patton Boggs.
Areas of focus: She assists clients with the origination and restructuring of acquisition and construction loans, mezzanine loans and private placements of debt and equity, as well as the formation and structuring of joint ventures and other investment vehicles for both developers and institutional investors in real estate projects. In addition, Ms. Pennartz advises corporate clients on mergers, acquisitions and corporate financings involving real estate components.
Education: The University of Texas (BA, 2009); SMU Dedman School of Law (JD, 2012)