Virgil Miller, Former Senior House Chief of Staff, Joins Akin Gump

(Washington, D.C.) – Akin Gump is pleased to announce that Virgil A. Miller, longtime Chief of Staff to the Assistant to House Majority Whip Rep. Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA) and former House Energy and Commerce Committee health care staffer, has joined the firm as a senior policy advisor in its Washington, D.C. office. Mr. Miller’s broad experience on Capitol Hill spans the House Democratic Caucus, including the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), New Democrat Coalition and leadership.

“Virgil is highly respected by members of Congress and many others in Washington on both sides of the political aisle,” said Brian Pomper, co-head of Akin Gump’s public law and policy practice. “His experience with, and insights into, the House Democratic Caucus make him extremely valuable to our clients and a strong addition to our team. I am excited to have him with us.”

Arshi Siddiqui, a partner in Akin Gump’s public law and policy practice, added, “Virgil will play a leading role in rounding out our House Democratic team as we help our clients navigate the new House Democratic majority. His strategic and political acumen made him a top staffer on Capitol Hill, and those same traits ensure that our clients will find his advice and counsel invaluable.”

As Chief of Staff to Rep. Richmond, Mr. Miller played key roles in the Congressman’s re-election campaigns; appointments to the House committees with jurisdiction over intellectual property, the judicial system and homeland security; appointment as Assistant to the House Majority Whip; and election as chairman of the CBC. He was also instrumental in developing the strategy for successful passage of multiple bills in the House pertaining to job creation, cybersecurity, energy, flood protection, disaster recovery, critical infrastructure protection and nuclear global detection.

“Akin Gump is widely regarded as the preeminent public policy shop in Washington,” said Mr. Miller. “I look forward to strengthening the firm’s relationships with House leadership, relevant committees and the Congressional Tri-Caucus [the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus] and putting my nearly 15 years of experience on Capitol Hill to work on behalf of the firm and its clients.”

About Virgil Miller

While serving as Chief of Staff for Rep. Richmond, Virgil Miller served as liaison between the Congressman and two presidential administrations, including all federal agencies. In addition, he coordinated Rep. Richmond’s activities with congressional leadership and House committee offices, as well as the Congressman’s overall fundraising and strategic giving to other members, candidates and committees.

Before joining Rep. Richmond’s office, Mr. Miller spent four years as Professional Staff Member for the Committee on Energy and Commerce and Health Policy Advisor to Chairman John Dingell (D-MI).  He played a key role in drafting and negotiating the passage of some of the most consequential health and safety policy of the last 15 years, including the Affordable Care Act, the Food Safety Enhancement Act, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 and the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Miller was a health policy fellow in the office of Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY). In that role, he assisted in developing and advancing the Congressman’s health policy agenda, including reauthorization of the National Institutes of Health, reduction of childhood obesity, expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and medical device safety.

Mr. Miller received a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology as well as his B.S. from Florida A&M University.

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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