Kevin Gooch has joined Holland & Knight's Atlanta office as a partner in the firm's Financial Services Practice Group. Gooch represents financial institutions, corporate borrowers and private equity funds in complex finance and restructuring transactions. He previously was a partner at DLA Piper LLP (US).
Gooch has a wealth of experience handling syndicated credit facilities, bilateral loan transactions, acquisition financings, asset-based financings and notes offerings. His experience includes drafting and negotiating loan documentation, including credit agreements, security agreements, promissory notes, resolutions and legal opinions. He has represented various clients in more than $20 billion of financing and restructuring transactions. In addition, he has significant experience advising lender and borrowers in the healthcare space on a variety of financing transactions.
"Kevin brings a strong senior finance practice with deep experience in private equity transactions to the firm, and his representation of funds adds a new skill set to our Atlanta finance team," said Cindy Brazell, the Atlanta-based co-chair of Holland & Knight's Financial Services Practice Group. "He will enhance our already sophisticated capabilities in these areas, which will be very helpful for attracting new clients and expanding work with existing clients both locally and nationally."
"Kevin has a very high profile in the community and excellent contacts in the Atlanta market," said Woody Vaughan, executive partner of Holland & Knight's Atlanta office. "He is an outstanding addition to our team and will be instrumental in helping us continue to grow our presence locally."
"Holland & Knight's strategic focus on financial services, especially its strong finance and private equity practices, extensive national footprint and its unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion were major factors in my decision to join the firm," said Mr. Gooch. "We already share several clients, including both financial institutions and funds. I am eager to work with my new colleagues to further develop these relationships as well as to help bring new clients to the firm."
Gooch has received numerous honors and awards, including the National Bar Association Young Lawyers' Division Advocacy and Leadership Award for his work in the legal profession and the community. He has received seven "40 Under 40" Awards from organizations like the American Bar Association, Atlanta Business Chronicle and University of Georgia Alumni Association. Currently, he is youngest chairman in the 35-year history of 100 Black Men of Atlanta Inc., an organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing educational and economic opportunities for vulnerable youth throughout the Atlanta community by mentoring and providing tuition-assistance. He also is vice chair of the Decide DeKalb Development Authority and a member of The Carter Center's Board of Councilors.
Mr. Gooch earned a J.D. degree from the University of Georgia School of Law and a B.A. degree from Emory University. He is an alumnus of several leadership development programs, including Leadership Atlanta, Leadership Georgia, Outstanding Atlanta and LEAD Atlanta, and was a 2015 Fellow of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity.