Former U.S. Representative from New York brings deep experience to firm’s Canada-U.S. practice

McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP announced that Congressman Bill Owens is teaming with the firm’s Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs practice as a senior strategic advisor in the Washington, D.C. office. Based on his extensive experience in federal policy in the context of the Canada-U.S. relationship, Congressman Owens will advise Canadian and U.S. clients regarding cross-border commerce. In addition, he will apply his congressional experience as part of the firm’s Federal as well as State and Local Government Affairs practice in New York, with offices in New York City and Albany.

“The addition of Congressman Owens further enables our Canada-U.S. practice to provide clients with the strategic insight to operate effectively,” said Ambassador Gordon Giffin, former U.S. ambassador to Canada and chair of McKenna Long’s International department. “Bill’s valuable experience serving in Congress and in the private sector will benefit our clients and further strengthen our accomplished federal, New York State, and Canada-U.S. practices.”

Prior to joining McKenna Long, Congressman Owens represented New York’s 21st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his years in Congress, he developed a deep understanding of issues impacting constituents and businesses alike, including matters related to U.S.-Canada trade and cross-border investment, health care, and agriculture, among others. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Defense and Homeland Security subcommittees, Congressman Owens worked to strengthen existing resources in the region vital to job creation and the local economy, including Fort Drum and the Canadian border.

McKenna’s Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs practice

Congressman Owens joins McKenna Long’s politically diverse, bipartisan public policy team, which includes: former governor of Vermont, Howard Dean; former President George H.W. Bush White House Political Director, Ron Kaufman; former U.S. Embassy Ottawa, Canada official, Scotty Greenwood; former chief of staff to Governor Sonny Perdue and advisor to the late U.S. Senator Paul Coverdell, Eric Tanenblatt; former Georgia state attorney general and president of the National Association of Attorneys General, Thurbert Baker; and former mayor of the District of Columbia, Anthony Williams.

McKenna Long’s Public Policy practitioners work with federal, state, and municipal governments across the country and executive branch agencies offering strategic counsel and support to expand government markets, as well as shape public policy. Our bipartisan team is comprised of professionals who have held public office, including former governors, mayors, members of Congress and an ambassador, as well as those who have previously served as staff and advisors to U.S. presidents, governors, members of Congress, and mayors.

McKenna Long’s Canada-U.S. Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs practice

McKenna Long is the premier firm for Canada-U.S. legal and public policy matters. The Canada-U.S. practice was designed and is led by a firm partner who served as U.S. ambassador to Canada and is comprised of seasoned U.S. and Canadian attorneys and professionals. The team advises and advocates on behalf of U.S. and Canadian public and private sector clients on their most important cross-border legal, regulatory, economic, and investment concerns.