Legislative and regulatory policy specialist and native Texan enhances Winstead’s
government-relations presence and expertise in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 10, 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. announced today that legislative and regulatory attorney James L. Bayless, Jr., has joined the firm as a shareholder and member of its Government Relations Practice. Based in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office, Bayless strengthens the firm’s presence in the nation’s capital and expands Winstead’s federal government-relations and public-policy practice.
Bayless, a native of Houston, Texas, and a graduate of The University of Texas and Southern Methodist University School of Law, has 27 years’ experience in Washington as a practitioner, private consultant, and former U.S. government official. Throughout his career, he has represented and advised clients on legislative and regulatory matters before the U.S. government.
“Jim brings considerable experience in developing effective governmental-affairs strategies and an extensive network of professional relationships with policy-makers at the federal level that complement and strengthen our current public-policy practice and governmental-affairs capability,” said Bill LaForge, a member of Winstead’s Government Relations Practice. “Jim worked for Senator John Tower and subsequently for President Reagan during my tenure as Senator Thad Cochran’s chief of staff. I know that his extensive legislative and regulatory background will be an excellent fit for our clients whose strategic business interests stand to be affected by federal regulatory or legislative actions or by emerging public-policy developments. The addition of Jim to the Winstead team will broaden and enhance our capabilities on Capitol Hill and with federal agencies.”
Before joining Winstead, Bayless co-founded and served as the managing partner of three legislative-consulting and public-affairs firms, providing legislative and regulatory counseling for U.S. and international corporate clients on matters before the U.S. government, principally in the energy, electric-utility, hospitality, telecommunications, and transportation industries. Previously, he practiced law with the Texas-based firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld in its Washington office.
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Prior to entering private practice, Bayless held three senior positions in the U.S. government. As Legislative Counsel to Senator John Tower of Texas, he developed legislative strategies for all tax and international trade-related matters pending before the United States Senate.
During the administration of President Ronald Reagan, Bayless served in the White House as Associate Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel, where he identified and recommended candidates for presidential appointment to policy-making positions at the Departments of the Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other federal regulatory agencies overseeing economic policy and the financial-services industry. Subsequently, he was appointed by the Reagan administration to the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In this capacity, he helped to secure congressional approval of the administration’s international-trade legislative agenda.
He also served as an advisor to the Presidential Transition Team for President-elect George H.W. Bush.
“We are delighted to welcome Jim to Winstead’s growing government-relations practice and the Washington office,” said Paul N. Wageman, chair of Winstead’s Government Relations Practice. “His in-depth knowledge and understanding of the governmental process and the formulation of public policy will enable our clients to respond effectively and quickly to regulatory or legislative developments affecting their strategic business interests. Jim’s experience and reputation in Washington will be invaluable assets to clients seeking guidance in working with Congress and federal agencies.”
Winstead’s team of government-relations attorneys and other professionals represents a wide range of corporate and association clients and large public entities. The firm has developed a sophisticated local, state, federal, and international government-affairs practice that focuses on the confluence of business, government, and public policy.
Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. is among the largest business law firms in Texas with more than 320 attorneys and 30 practice areas. Winstead has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, The Woodlands, and San Antonio, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Mexico City. For detailed information about Winstead, visit winstead.com.
