Former U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly to Join Akin Gump

(Washington, D.C.) – Akin Gump is pleased to announce that former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) will join the firm as a partner in its public law and policy practice in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Donnelly served on Capitol Hill for 12 years, including one term as U.S. Senator and three terms as a U.S. Representative. He served on a number of committees during his Senate tenure, including the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee; the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; and the Armed Services Committee, in addition to the Special Committee on Aging. His House tenure included service on the Financial Services and Veterans’ Affairs committees.

At Akin Gump, Sen. Donnelly will advise clients in the financial services, defense and health care industries, among others, on a host of policy matters. His first day at the firm will be April 1.

Sen. Donnelly’s arrival follows that of two other former members of Congress—former Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Lamar Smith (R-TX)—who joined the firm earlier this year, further strengthening Akin Gump’s standing as the premier public policy practice in Washington.

“We have long been known as a go-to firm in the public policy space thanks to our deep bench of bipartisan talent with significant Capitol Hill experience, and Sen. Donnelly continues that tradition,” said Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “What happens in Washington affects our clients’ businesses around the world, and the depth of our ability to help shape and influence policy is a key differentiator for us. Joe is the latest in a long line of distinguished former members of Congress who have chosen to continue their careers at Akin Gump, and I couldn’t be happier that he is joining us.”

Added Akin Gump public law and policy practice co-chair Brian Pomper, “As a bipartisan practice, we recognize the importance of bringing in talent from both sides of the political aisle who can help our clients solve their most pressing and complex policy challenges. Joe is tremendously well liked and well regarded by his former colleagues in the Senate and the House, and his firsthand experience with key policy issues in the financial services, health care and defense sectors will be invaluable to our clients who are navigating this era of a divided government. I am thrilled that he will be joining our team.”

Sen. Donnelly commented, “Akin Gump maintains a reputation of hosting a preeminent public policy practice and is home to a fantastic and deep bipartisan team, and joining the firm was an easy decision for me. I look forward to working with my many new colleagues and putting my legislative skills to work on behalf of many of Akin Gump’s clients.”

Prior to his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, Sen. Donnelly held elected positions in his home state of Indiana, including on the Indiana State Election Board. He also previously worked in private practice at a law firm in Indiana.

He received both his J.D. and B.A from the University of Notre Dame, where he serves as an adjunct professor.

About Akin Gump’s Public Law and Policy Practice

The public law and policy practice at Akin Gump has long understood that solutions to many issues facing clients involve the very processes by which legislation and policy are conceived, developed and implemented by governments in the United States and around the world. For this reason, Akin Gump has built and maintains one of the largest and most diverse government relations practices of any major law firm worldwide. The firm’s practice stresses careful evaluation of client issues and detailed design of strategies and tactics to achieve objectives and provide advocacy that is executed in an effective, timely and coordinated manner.

The practice is consistently top rated in the field of government relations by legal directories Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500, and its members have been named Top Lobbyists by The Hill and MVPs by Law360 and as industry leaders by a number of business and legal publications.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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