Holland & Knight has bolstered its nationally recognized Private Equity Team with the addition of Scott Syverson as a partner in the firm’s Orange County and Los Angeles offices. Mr. Syverson represents private equity firms and their portfolio companies in all aspects of their businesses, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A). He was previously a partner with Kirkland & Ellis.

“We have been growing our West Coast corporate practice, and Scott’s addition presents another strategic opportunity to continue to enhance our California and national platform in M&A and private equity,” said David Barkus, co-head of Holland & Knight’s Corporate, M&A and Securities Practice Group and head of the firm’s Private Equity Team. “As the volume of private equity-related matters we handle continues to increase, we have responded by adding more than 20 partners to our team over the past year from coast to coast. Scott’s business skills and legal acumen are everything we want in a partner.”

Mr. Syverson will work alongside Partners Bryan Gadol and Wendy Kottmeier in the firm’s California Corporate, M&A and Private Equity practice. Holland & Knight added Mr. Gadol and Ms. Kottmeier as partners to its Orange County office in July. The firm also added renewable energy transaction and finance Partner Justin Boose to its Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, offices in January.

“Southern California is an important strategic private equity market, and Scott is a tremendous addition to our formidable and growing team in California,” said Bryan Gadol, who heads the firm’s California Corporate, M&A and Private Equity practice. “He possesses an impressive deal sheet and is genuinely interested in teamwork and the growth of our practice. We are thrilled to welcome him to the firm.”

“Holland & Knight has devoted significant resources to its expanding Private Equity Team, and I am eager to begin collaborating with colleagues on sophisticated deals for which the firm is known,” Mr. Syverson said. “This is an opportunity to join an entrepreneurial culture, and I intend to become a pivotal member of the firm’s corporate and private equity practices.”

Mr. Syverson earned a J.D. degree from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and an A.B. degree from Princeton University.