Van Ness Feldman is pleased to announce that Ben L. McMakin, Principal and Managing Director of Governmental Issues, will  lead the firm’s highly respected Public Policy team.  Mr. McMakin succeeds Curt Rich, who recently accepted a position with United Technologies Corporation as Vice President, Energy and Environmental Policy.

Since coming to Van Ness Feldman in 2005, Mr. McMakin has broadened the firm’s longstanding energy and environmental policy practice through expansion into the clean technology sector.  He spent 17 years as a senior political and legislative advisor on Capitol Hill, serving in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, with his last position being Legislative Director to Senator Patty Murray (D-WA).  Mr. McMakin’s comprehensive knowledge of Congress and the legislative process ideally position him to lead Van Ness Feldman’s team in support of client interests on issues including appropriations, clean tech, energy, environment and natural resources, transportation, defense and homeland security, and technology. 

Howard Feldman, Chairman of Van Ness Feldman, said, “Our public policy group will continue to thrive with an excellent team of attorneys and professionals under Ben’s direction.  We appreciate the many contributions Curt has made through his years of distinguished service with the firm, and wish him great success in his new professional venture.”

Van Ness Feldman’s policy group combines strategic perspective, business savvy, and substantive knowledge of the issues to advance client interests and find solutions.  The firm’s professionals have been involved in every major energy and environmental policy debate since the mid-1970s. Our bipartisan policy team includes former political appointees, seasoned Administration officials and senior level congressional staffers.

With offices in Washington, DC, and Seattle, WA, Van Ness Feldman’s 80 professionals concentrate on government policy, regulatory, and project development issues in the areas of energy, environment and natural resources, and transportation law.

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