WASHINGTON, June 16 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network — Former House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt announced today that he is joining the law firm of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary as senior counsel within its Government Affairs practice group. 50 percent of the Congressman’s time will be focused on the DLA Piper relationship where he will advise clients on international trade, business, financial, tax, corporate pension plan, legislative, political, and health care matters.
“I’m eager to enter the next phase of my career and to be working with a law firm of DLA Piper’s caliber and reputation,” said Gephardt. “After speaking with many firms, I felt their platform was ideally suited to the strengths and experience I have to offer at this point in my career. I look forward to a productive relationship.”
Gephardt also announced that he is establishing several new professional relationships. These include the following:
— Establishing Gephardt & Associates, a strategic consulting firm that will have a relationship with the St. Louis based Anheuser-Busch Companies, among others, and be separate from the DLA Piper Relationship.
— He will join the Board of Directors of the U.S. Steel Corporation.
— He will also serve as Chair of the Advisory Committee of the Richard A. Gephardt Institute for Public Service at Washington University in St. Louis.
— He will join the board of the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington, D. C.
“Leader Gephardt is highly respected both on Capitol Hill and all over the country and the world, and has been a leading force behind key legislation of the last 30 years,” said Jeffrey F. Liss, DLA Piper’s Co-Managing Partner in the US. “He is highly respected in business circles and will bring invaluable expertise to our clients, particularly in the areas of international trade and tax and labor-management relations issues. We are very excited to have him on our team.”
Added Thomas F. O’Neil III, DLA Piper’s Government Affairs Practice Group Chair: “Successful advocacy before legislative and executive branch decision-makers as well as independent federal agencies demands vast experience and insight. DLA Piper is thrilled that Congressman Gephardt is bringing his extraordinary experience and expertise to our highly-respected Government Affairs team.”
Working with Washington University, Gephardt will be active in encouraging students and retirees to get involved in a wide range of public service work.
“I’m very eager to begin a new chapter in my life.” Gephardt said. “It will always be difficult to compare anything to the deep pride and satisfaction I felt from representing my hometown in the United States Congress or from being a leader of Democrats in the Congress, but I am excited by these new opportunities.”
Statement from Mark Bobak, Group Vice President, Anheuser- Busch Companies: “Dick Gephardt represented Anheuser-Busch for many years while serving in Congress, and he knows our company and issues well. Dick has proven himself to be a man of the utmost integrity and professionalism, and we look forward to drawing from his wealth of public and governmental expertise.”
Statement from Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton: “I am delighted that the Gephardt Institute has been established at Washington University. The Gephardt Institute will inspire people, especially students and older citizens, to become more involved in serving society and building a more engaged citizenry. We are also delighted that he has agreed to chair the Institute’s Advisory Committee.”
Statement from John Surma, President & Chief Executive Officer of United States Steel Corporation: “We are honored to have Dick Gephardt join the U.S. Steel Board of Directors. We are looking forward to working with him and drawing on his experience and insight.”
For more information or to schedule and interview please contact Paul Frick or Dan Sallick at 202-262-9650, or Sharon Daniels at 410-721-7880 or sharondaniels@gephardtandassociates.com
