Holland & Knight named Edward Sarnowski executive partner of the firm’s Jacksonville office.
He succeeds Josh Roberts, executive partner for seven years, who will continue his commercial litigation practice with the firm.
Sarnowski’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, advising emerging growth companies and startups, as well as representing angel and venture capital investment funds and other investors in early stage companies.
He also is outside general counsel to venture capital-backed companies and works with international companies on their corporate venture capital investment programs.
Sarnowski formerly was the pro bono and community service partner for the Jacksonville office, where he coordinated pro bono opportunities, community giving and local community service and volunteerism efforts for the office’s attorneys.
He also chaired a committee of attorneys and staff that oversaw a pool of funds distributed to community organizations assisting at-risk children in North Florida.
Sarnowski helps pro bono clients with matters involving corporate, real estate and other issues including representing active-duty military personnel in civil legal disputes through the American Bar Association’s Military Pro Bono Project.
He currently is on the board of directors of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida.
Holland & Knight is a global law firm with about 2,200 lawyers and other professionals in 34 offices.
The firm’s lawyers and advisers provide representation in litigation, corporate and finance, real estate, health care and governmental matters.