WilmerHale is pleased to announce that Rob Lehman, former Chief of Staff to Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), will be joining the firm as co-chair of the Legislative Affairs and Public Policy Group. As Chief of Staff to Senator Portman, Mr. Lehman led policy and strategic development and implementation of the Senator's legislative and public policy priorities, including the introduction of 65 bipartisan bills. Mr. Lehman also previously served as Chief of Staff for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Chief of Staff for the United States Trade Representative (USTR). 

In addition, Mr. Lehman previously managed federal and state government relations for a top international law firm where he represented Fortune 100 companies, trade associations and non-profit organizations before the Executive and Legislative branches of government.

"Rob's extensive Congressional, Executive Branch and corporate experience is well-known within the Washington public policy arena," said Robert Novick, co-managing partner of WilmerHale. "He is a dynamic addition and will add tremendous value for our clients who will be able to rely on his strategic judgment to coordinate and provide rapid responses to a growing number of regulatory and legislative issues."

Mr. Lehman will be co-chairing the firm's bipartisan Legislative Affairs and Public Policy Group, a diverse government relations practice providing strategic and legislative and regulatory advocacy and solutions. As a member of that group, he will address critical issues ranging from tax, energy, homeland security, transportation, and financial services to healthcare, competition and intellectual property. He will also play an important role in expanding the firm's robust congressional investigations practice.

Drawing from the team's deep experience in Congress and the Executive Branch, WilmerHale's Public Policy and Legislative Affairs Group is known for its proficiency in combining substantive policy counsel and advocacy, and developing and implementing strategies in the legislative and executive branches of government. The team brings together a keen understanding of policymaking and procedure at all levels to achieve clients' objectives in Congress and the Federal agencies. 

"I am excited to join a firm with such an incredible reputation for professionalism and integrity," said Mr. Lehman. "I have always been fascinated by the intersection of the private sector economy and public policy, and there is no better place to have such an impact than at WilmerHale. I am thrilled to co-chair the growing legislative affairs practice with the highly regarded Jon Yarowsky."

As Senior Public Policy Advisor, Mr. Lehman's practice will be limited to US legislative and executive branch lobbying matters.