DLA Piper announced today that former United States Senator Saxby Chambliss has joined the firm as a partner. He will be based in the firm’s Atlanta office and will advise clients across the country.

Senator Chambliss served two terms as US Senator from Georgia and, prior to that, was elected to four terms in the House of Representatives. During his 20 years in Congress, Senator Chambliss was involved in several major areas of legislative and regulatory policy, with a particular focus on issues related to national defense, homeland security, cybersecurity and agriculture. He most recently served as vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and was a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry (former chairman); and the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Chambliss’ experience with security issues dates back to his previous role as chairman of the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security. More >>

Alston & Bird client Heritage Financial Group, Inc., a bank holding company headquartered in Albany, GA, has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired, in an all-stock merger, by Renasant Corporation. The aggregate deal value is approximately $258 million. More >>

Holland & Knight represented Corvias Group and its student housing division, Corvias Campus Living, in connection with the company’s recent award as private concessionaire for a $517 million project to develop and manage student housing for nine campuses within the University System of Georgia (USG) for 65 years. The innovative public-private-partnership (P3) deal marks the first time that a state system has initiated the privatization of student housing through a portfolio of campuses. More >>