Holland & Knight has added another Big Law partner to its Philadelphia office, bringing on a labor and employment attorney from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.

William Delany, whose practice is split between ERISA matters and labor and employment litigation, spent most of his career at Morgan Lewis. He joined the firm in 1996, he said, coming from Ballard Spahr.

He said Holland & Knight's Philadelphia office is comprised of several lawyers with whom he has worked over the years. The office opened in July of last year, launched by a group of lawyers from Reed Smith.

“It was really just an opportunity … to start at a firm in Philadelphia from the ground level,” Delany said. “Holland & Knight has a very U.S.-based national practice and an excellent litigation practice.”

While a global footprint is useful to many lawyers in growing their practices, Delany said, his practice is more national and benefits from a domestically focused strategy. The partners who launched Holland & Knight's Philadelphia office expressed a similar sentiment.

Holland & Knight managing partner Steve Sonberg said in an interview last year noted that the firm saw Philadelphia as an important market in its domestic expansion strategy.

Delany declined to name his clients, but said they include large insurance companies and financial institutions in ERISA matters, as well as other businesses in employment litigation.

Robert Vyverberg, who leads Holland & Knight's labor, employment and benefits practice group, noted that the firm is looking to expand its ERISA capabilities.

Holland & Knight's Philadelphia office now has 40 lawyers, according to the firm's website.

“They came into the marketplace very credibly,” Delany said. “They are established here in the marketplace already.”

Reached for comment Wednesday, a spokesperson for Morgan Lewis said the firm wishes Delany well.

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