Mark Burkhalter Joins National Government Affairs Practice at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
By Mckenna Long Aldridge Llp, PRNEThursday, May 20, 2010
Speaker Emeritus of Georgia General Assembly to lead firm's UK Public Affairs efforts
ATLANTA, May 21, 2010 - McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP (MLA) announced that Mark Burkhalter has
joined the firm as a Senior Strategic Advisor and Independent Consultant
focusing on national government affairs efforts as well as leading the firm's
public affairs and economic development initiatives in the United Kingdom.
Speaker Burkhalter will be based in the firm's Atlanta office, but plans to
spend considerable time in London as well as in MLA's other domestic and
international offices.
Speaker Burkhalter resigned from the General Assembly last month after 18
years of service. He left office as the Speaker Emeritus, after having served
as Speaker of the House and the Speaker Pro Tempore since 2004 when his
caucus won the House majority. From 2003-2004, he served as Administration
floor leader for Governor Sonny Perdue.
"Mark has distinguished himself as one of the most effective policymakers
in Georgia and we are delighted to welcome him to our team," said Eric
Tanenblatt, head of MLA's national government affairs practice. "He has been
a leading advocate for economic development initiatives and will be a major
asset to the firm's efforts as we continue to expand our government affairs
efforts in the U.S. and abroad."
"McKenna Long & Aldridge is uniquely suited to help both U.S. and
overseas companies with their economic development, legal and regulatory
needs," said Speaker Burkhalter. "I am excited to join a team of government
and political leaders who are deeply committed to enhancing the firm's
domestic and international reputation. I look forward to applying my years of
public service and business experience for the benefit of the firm's clients
throughout the U.S. and abroad."
Burkhalter was first elected to the Georgia State Legislature at 31 and
served nine terms representing the Atlanta suburb of North Fulton County. He
played a major and substantive role in developing and helping to pass several
pieces of legislation to benefit the economic growth and development of the
greater metropolitan Atlanta area. Burkhalter has earned many accolades such
as being named twice by James magazine as the "most influential politician in
Georgia" and being named by Georgia Trend magazine as one of the "100 Most
Influential Georgians."
In 2008, he served on the Platform Committee of the Republican National
Convention and was a leader for Governor Mitt Romney's Presidential campaign
in Georgia. His political career also included serving on the legislative
staff to U.S. Representative Newt Gingrich in Washington, D.C. Parallel to
his service in government, Burkhalter has built a successful career in real
estate development. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1984 with
bachelor's degrees in political science and German and Slavic languages.
About the Government Affairs Practice: Ranked as one of the top 10 law
and lobbying firms by Legal Times, MLA is a nationally-recognized leader in
the complex field of public policy and regulatory affairs. The Government
Affairs practice is comprised of a bipartisan team of advisors and attorneys,
including former U.S. Senator and Governor of Georgia Zell Miller, former
chief of staff to Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and longtime advisor to the
late U.S. Senator Paul Coverdell Eric Tanenblatt, former U.S. Ambassador to
Canada Gordon Giffin, former Governor of Vermont Howard Dean, former senior
Clinton White House official Keith Mason, former U.S. Congressman Buddy
Darden, former City of Atlanta officials Steven Labovitz, Sharon Gay and
Hakim Hilliard, political law lawyers Randy Evans and Stefan Passantino and
Georgia state government affairs leader Bo Moore.
About McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP: McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP is an
international law firm with 475 attorneys and public policy advisors. The
firm provides business solutions in the areas of complex litigation,
corporate, environmental, energy, and climate change, finance, government
contracts, health care, intellectual property and technology, international
law, public policy and regulatory affairs, and real estate.
Media Contact:
Sabrina McGowan, Public Relations Manager, +1-202-496-7796,
smcgowan@mckennalong.com
Sabrina McGowan, Public Relations Manager, +1-202-496-7796, smcgowan at mckennalong.com
Tags: Atlanta, georgia, May 21, Mckenna Long & Aldridge Llp, United Kingdom