Portrait of Lawrence Holmes

C. Lawrence Holmes

Principal

Lawrence “Larry” Holmes is a principal and member of the firm's Commercial Litigation Practice Group. Since entering private practice in 1993, he has established a track record of landmark legal successes and longstanding client partnerships — work that includes pivotal cases that have impacted Pennsylvania law. Larry focuses his practice on representing finance lease companies and other institutional clients. As a passionate advocate for his clients, he is skilled at humanizing large institutions and effectively communicating with juries and judges.

As a highly skilled litigator, Larry has successfully argued before the Superior and Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania and helped establish new insurance law in Pennsylvania. He secured a milestone victory for a finance lease company when a federal judge denied a motion to certify a class action against it as part of a claim exceeding $37 million. In addition to defending the motion for class certification, Larry obtained summary judgment against the lessees on all claims and counterclaims. He also obtained an order that the lessees were liable, jointly, and severally, for all the leasing company’s legal fees. The decision is a powerful tool for financial institutions in cases and class actions arising from program failures.

With a growing reputation as an engaging legal thought leader, Larry was appointed to the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Legal Committee for a three-year term in 2015. He has also presented numerous times at ELFA’s annual Legal Forum, most recently on ethics and the general legal update at the 2024 Forum. For several years, he has presented Pennsylvania Bar Institute CLE programs on insurer bad faith, and other insurance topics.

Larry received his J.D. from Villanova University School of Law and upon graduation, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Chief Justice Robert N.C. Nix, Jr. of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court — writing opinions, providing counsel, and learning the skills of passionate persuasion and respectful dissent that would inform his career.

As an elected township commissioner, and president of the Board of Commissioners, Larry exemplifies Offit Kurman’s commitment to public and community service. He is currently serving his fifth term as the Sixth Ward Commissioner of Haverford Township, Delaware County, PA, where he has resided with his family for over two decades.

Representative Matters

  • In a landmark case, successfully represented a leasing company in opposition to class certification in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania—obtaining summary judgment against lessees on all claims and counterclaims, which held the lessees responsible, jointly, and severally, for all legal fees.
  • Obtained a jury verdict for the defense for a finance leasing company in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland after a two-week trial for fraud.
  • For a decade, practiced in tax-exempt bond transactions, representing numerous private and public entities as bond counsel for industrial development and general obligation tax-exempt bonds.

Larry frequently has frequently spoken on various topics for over a decade to many audiences including the Insurance Society of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Bar Institute and numerous legal forums and CLEs.

    Education

    • Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law (J.D.)
    • Georgetown University (B.A.)
      • Economics

    State Bar Admissions

    • Pennsylvania
    • New Jersey

    Court Admissions

    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
    • United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

    Professional Affiliations

    • Elected and re-elected as Sixth Ward Commissioner of Haverford Township, Delaware County, PA
    • Urban League of Philadelphia, General Counsel and Board of Directors, 2017 - 2022
    • Legal Committee, Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, Member, 2015 - 2018
    • Law Clerk to the Honorable Chief Justice Robert N. C. Nix, Jr., Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1991- 1993

    Recognitions

    • Legal 500 Philadelphia Elite for Commerical Litigation, 2025
  • Biography
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  • Featured Works

Firm Highlights

  • Events
    RE+ Mid-Atlantic Opportunities: Market Trends and Business Development Tips
    RE+ Mid-Atlantic is where developers, financiers, investors, project buyers, utilities, and technology providers come together to evaluate opportunities, advance transactions, and build relationships that move clean energy projects forward. Whether you're looking to secure financing, identify partners, position projects for sale, or expand your network, the conversations you have at RE+ Mid-Atlantic can have a lasting impact on your business. Join this exclusive webinar, hosted by Offit | Kurman, to preview key topics that will be explored during the event and learn practical strategies for preparing for productive business conversations. By the end of this webinar, attendees will be better equipped to: Discuss emerging trends and opportunities in the regional solar and storage landscape. Learn how to communicate project readiness, regulatory strategy, and development milestones to build investor and buyer confidence. Understand strategies for reducing perceived project risk and strengthening financing conversations. Maximize meetings and networking opportunities at RE+ Mid-Atlantic to advance partnerships, financing, and project sale discussions. Whether you're a developer, investor, project buyer, or business development professional, this webinar will help you arrive at RE+ Mid-Atlantic with the knowledge, messaging, and strategy needed to turn conference conversations into meaningful business opportunities. Speakers: Lindsay Cherry  Director of Regulatory, NineDot Energy Lindsay Cherry is the Director of Regulatory Affairs at NineDot Energy, where she leads efforts at the intersection of clean energy policy, regulation, and distributed energy development. With a background in energy policy and public affairs, Lindsay works closely with regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to advance innovative energy solutions and support the transition to a more resilient and sustainable power grid. She holds a master's degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Matthew Karmel, Esq. Principal, Offit Kurman Matthew Karmel is the Practice Group Leader of Offit Kurman’s Environmental & Sustainability Law Group. He advises businesses, developers, and property owners on environmental compliance, site remediation, renewable energy, sustainability, and environmental risk management. In the renewable energy industry specifically, Matthew leads a national team that handles mergers and acquisitions, site control, land use, permitting, financing, and more.  A recognized leader in the field, Matthew, is a frequent speaker and author on environmental and sustainability issues and serves on the boards of several industry organizations, including the Mid-Atlantic Solar Storage Industries Association. David Murray Director of Business Development, Turning Point Energy David Murray is the Director of Business Development at TurningPoint Energy, where he leads business development efforts in Maryland and emerging markets. With more than 15 years of experience in clean energy and environmental policy, David has held leadership roles with the Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association and the American Clean Power Association, advancing solar energy, land use, and community engagement initiatives. He holds a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Renewable Energy & Development from the University of Cape Town and currently serves on the boards of the Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association and Wallace Centers of Iowa. Alec Ward Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, SEIA Alec Ward is Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), where he represents the solar and energy storage industry before federal agencies on key energy policy issues. He brings extensive experience in clean energy, regulatory affairs, and public policy, having previously led legislative and federal affairs efforts at Ava Community Energy, served at the California Public Utilities Commission, and worked on federal conservation and climate policy initiatives with The Nature Conservancy and congressional campaigns. Alec holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University and is based in Richmond, Virginia.