Background in political law, alternative investments will help investment advisers comply with increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
WASHINGTON, DC (March 22, 2011) – Venable LLP announced that veteran private equity and political law professional Scott Gluck has joined the firm as Of Counsel in the firm’s Legislative Affairs group. Mr. Gluck will work out of the Washington, DC and Los Angeles offices, but will be based in Washington, DC.
Mr. Gluck arrives from the National Republican Congressional Committee, where he served as Director of Special Initiatives during the last election cycle, overseeing Western regional outreach. Before moving to Washington, Mr. Gluck served for six years as vice president and counsel at Markstone Capital Group, a Los Angeles-based private equity fund focused on investments in “old economy” companies located in Israel. He also served as California Director for the Republican Jewish Coalition, leading the organization's fundraising, media and grassroots efforts in California. He previously worked at two top Los Angeles-based law firms.
Mr. Gluck arrives as the regulatory environment for corporations and investment advisers is becoming increasingly challenging. Last year the Securities & Exchange Commission promulgated new rules regulating political contributions by investment advisers to elected leaders in a position to influence the selection of advisers to public pension funds, which went into effect this week. This rule is on top of the many "pay-to-play" regulations being enacted by states, municipalities and public pension funds around the country. The overlapping and sometimes conflicting sets of rules create a regulatory labyrinth for corporations, investment advisers and individuals who seek to do business with governmental entities.
“Scott has a truly unique mix of skills and relationships that we expect to be of great value to the firm. His experience working for a private equity fund, together with his deep knowledge of political and campaign finance law, will be a tremendous asset for anyone who seeks to interact with governmental entities – particularly investment advisers subject to the new political contributions rule. He has excellent contacts both on the Hill and in the California business community. Scott will be a great addition to our practice and to the firm,” said Michael Ferrell, head of Venable’s Legislative Affairs group.
“My goal had always been to return to private practice after spending the last election cycle at the NRCC. When I began evaluating firms I was looking for something very specific - a firm that would allow me to leverage my background in alternative investments, familiarity with political law and connections on the Hill. I wanted a law firm that had successful lobbying and political law practices, as well as a presence in California,” Mr. Gluck said. “Venable filled those criteria perfectly – the firm possesses a stellar reputation for its bi-partisan government affairs and lobbying work, and also boasts a strong political law group as well as an excellent business department. Plus Venable has deep connections in California, where I’ve spent most of my career. The combination of factors made for a very easy choice.”
Mr. Gluck explained his interest in making California companies better aware of Venable’s legislative profile. “Once West Coast businesses are made aware of the frequent changes taking place in Washington DC, they will have the opportunity to become far more engaged in the political process,” he said. “I plan on working closely with California companies to keep them apprised of what they need to do to stay in front of legislative developments that can affect their businesses.”
Mr. Gluck received his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law in 1996, his M.B.A. from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business in 2007 and his B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley in 1992.
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