WilmerHale is pleased to announce that Brian Skretny, former senior advisor to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs as well as legislative director to the committee’s former chairman, Rep. Eliot Engel, has joined the firm’s Public Policy and Legislative Affairs Practice.
Before joining WilmerHale, Mr. Skretny was Global Energy Advisor and Senior Professional Staff to the foreign affairs committee. As such, he was the lead advisor to the chairman and other members of Congress on matters involving energy, the environment, telecommunications and emerging technologies.
Mr. Skretny coordinated hearings and facilitated the overwhelming bipartisan passage of numerous bills, including legislation to promote the availability of energy resources worldwide, increase access to electricity in the developing world, and develop and implement a strategy for the adoption of secure 5G wireless communications technology in the US and abroad. He also worked on legislation to strengthen wildlife trafficking laws and enforcement efforts, and to reduce debris and plastic waste in the ocean.
Mr. Skretny also served as the longtime legislative director to Mr. Engel, working to implement the Congressman’s legislative agenda with particular emphasis on matters before the Energy and Commerce Committee. Specifically, Mr. Skretny focused on policy governing the production, distribution and consumption of traditional and renewable energy, as well policy governing telecommunications and technology including spectrum management, cybersecurity and digital privacy. Mr. Skretny also managed the Energy and National Security Caucus.
In addition, Mr. Skretny led government relations activities for two independent nonprofit organizations. At Rural Investment to Protect the Environment, Mr. Skretny worked with USDA officials and members of the House and Senate agriculture committees to promote climate-smart farm practices. At the American Clean Skies Foundation, Mr. Skretny worked with Obama Administration officials to diversify fuel sources across our transportation sector.
Mr. Skretny began his career as a litigation associate at a Washington, DC law firm.
“Mr. Skretny brings to the table a diverse set of skills and a nuanced understanding of the intersection between law, policy, and politics that are incredibly valuable to our practice,” said Jonathan Yarowsky, co-chair of the firm’s public policy and legislative affairs team. “We’re pleased to have him as part of our very strong team.”
Mr. Skretny earned a Master of Laws from the Georgetown University Law Center, a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from SUNY College at Geneseo.