Eckert Seamans is pleased to welcome Member Ernest D. Holtzheimer to the firm’s Philadelphia office. He concentrates on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, and general corporate matters. He has assisted numerous U.S. and international clients in transformative transactions valued in excess of $2.5 billion. Holtzheimer counsels clients in various industries concerning their general operations, structure, governance, and in connection with complex transactions. He joins Eckert Seamans from the law firm of Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP.

“Ernie strengthens our exceptional team of corporate attorneys,” said Albert G. Bixler, Member-in-Charge of Eckert Seamans’ Philadelphia office. “As a former business owner, he brings an in-depth understanding of transactional law, mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate matters, as well as terrific judgment and a keen business sense that will build upon our mission of delivering excellence to our clients.”

Holtzheimer is an experienced transactional attorney, having assisted numerous U.S. and international clients across multiple industries, including manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, food and beverage, e-commerce and retail, education, software, and industrial and business services. He also serves as outside general counsel to several emerging and middle market companies, advising such clients on their entity formations, capital raises (convertible debt, SAFEs, and priced financings), restructurings, supply and services agreements, material vendor contracts, loan documentation, and merger and acquisition activities. He also often assists clients with ownership disputes and succession planning transactions.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to leverage Eckert Seamans’ national middle-market M&A and private equity platform to support my clients and expand upon relationships,” said Holtzheimer. “The firm’s commitment to growing its corporate capabilities combined with its exceptional resources in litigation, tax, employee benefits, intellectual property, and real estate make it a natural fit for my practice,” he added.

Outside of his practice, Holtzheimer serves as the managing director of an institutional venture fund and as an adjunct professor, teaching classes such as Contract Drafting, Technology Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

Active in the profession, Holtzheimer is Chair of the Executive Committee of the Business Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association (PBA), having previously served as the Vice Chair and Secretary/Treasurer. He is also Treasurer and serves on the PBA’s Board of Trustees of the Campaign for Qualified Judges, and previously served as the Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Executive Committee of the Young Lawyers Division. For the American Bar Association, Holtzheimer is a member of the Business Law Section and serves as the Vice Chair of the Lawyers with Disabilities Involvement Subcommittee and Co-Chair of Marketing and Membership of the Private Equity and Venture Capital Committee. He also serves as Co-President of the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group Alumni Association and previously served as Vice President of the Drexel University Kline School of Law Alumni Council.

Holtzheimer’s leadership in the community extends beyond his law practice, serving in prominent roles of several nonprofit and professional organizations, including the Executive Advisory Board of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, Board of Directors of Philadelphia Area Diversity Job Fair, Young Professionals Council of The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, and Young Friends of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is also an active and involved alumnus of Rowan University, serving as the Managing Director of the Rowan Innovation Venture Fund, the Entrepreneurship Advisory Council, and Alumni Advisory Board of the Rohrer College of Business.

Holtzheimer is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law. He holds an M.B.A. specialized in finance from Rowan University and earned a VC University certificate from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and National Venture Capital Association. Holtzheimer earned a B.S. in Entrepreneurship and a B.S. in Business Management, cum laude, from Rowan University William G. Rohrer College of Business.