Venable LLP is pleased to announce that James D. Barnette has joined the firm as a partner in the Legislative and Government Affairs Practice in the Washington, DC office. Mr. Barnette is a Capitol Hill veteran who concentrates his public policy practice on energy, telecommunications, healthcare, consumer protection, and the environment, with a further focus on congressional oversight and investigations.
Mr. Barnette served as general counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce for four different chairmen, where he helped enact more than 100 public laws, including the landmark Medicare Modernization Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and legislation in areas as diverse as bioterrorism preparedness, energy, telecommunications reform, consumer protection, and internet commerce. He served as principal advocate for the committee's position with the Senate, House leadership, House parliamentarian, and other House committees, including Agriculture, Appropriations, Armed Services, Budget, Judiciary, and Ways and Means. He led numerous high-profile committee oversight and investigation efforts across its jurisdiction. In private practice, Mr. Barnette represents high-profile clients, Fortune 500 firms, and trade associations through a variety of committee processes and industry regulation.
“I have known Jim for more than 25 years, both professionally and personally, and have long admired his ability to combine what he knows with who he knows to get things done in Washington, D.C.,” said William R. Nordwind, a co-chair of the Legislative and Government Affairs Practice. “Jim’s impressive Capitol Hill experience and insights into managing high-profile congressional oversight and investigations will add a tremendous value to our practice and our clients.”
Joshua H. Raymond, a co-chair of the Legislative and Government Affairs Practice, said, “Jim has a reputation inside the Beltway as a strategic advisor who can navigate clients through a wide variety of complex legislative processes. His years of experience are a welcome addition to our growing practice.”
Commenting on his move to Venable, Mr. Barnette said, “What drew me to Venable is its highly developed and sophisticated Legislative and Government Affairs Practice, which comprises seasoned professionals from both sides of the aisle. I am delighted to join the team and to continue growing my practice at Venable.”
Mr. Barnette received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.A. from Yale College.
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Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, DC that serves as primary counsel to a worldwide clientele of large and mid-sized organizations, nonprofits, high-net-worth entrepreneurs, and other individuals. With more than 850 professionals across the country, including in California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC, the firm strategically advances its clients' objectives in the United States and around the globe. Venable advises clients on a broad range of business and regulatory law, legislative affairs, complex litigation, and the full range of intellectual property disciplines. For more information, please visit https://www.venable.com/.