WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 - Nina R. Eldred, former vice president and assistant general counsel for Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, has joined Holland & Knight's Global Hospitality and Resort Team as a senior counsel in the firm's Washington, D.C., office.

Eldred is recognized as one of the leading hospitality lawyers representing hotel owners and operators in the acquisition, development, due diligence, financing, management, franchising and disposition of hotels, luxury resorts, and mixed use development projects including golf courses, spas, skiing facilities, casinos and retail. She especially brings substantial experience in the development and management of luxury branded condominiums and condominium hotel projects. In particular, Eldred advises clients on the appropriate ownership structure for hotel and resort projects and the negotiation of joint venture agreements.

"Nina is an experienced and talented lawyer who brings valuable legal and business acumen to our team, having practiced in-house for the two of the world's most prestigious hospitality companies," said Jim Norman, co-chair of the firm's Global Hospitality and Resort Team. "Her arrival has already been a tremendous asset to our clients and the continued strategic growth of our hospitality and general real estate practices."

With more than 200 lawyers, Holland & Knight's Real Estate group is the largest of any firm in the United States. Every year since 2004, the firm's Real Estate Section has been named the leading practice in the Washington, D.C., market by Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers.

Eldred earned her bachelor's degree from Bucknell University and her J.D. from the Columbus School of Law of The Catholic University of America. She is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

About Holland & Knight LLP: Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 1,150 lawyers in 17 U.S. offices. Other offices around the world are located in Mexico City, Tokyo and Beijing, with representative offices in Caracas, Helsinki and Tel Aviv. Holland & Knight is among the world's 15 largest firms, providing representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law. Our interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams ensure clients have access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location. http://www.hklaw.com