Providing strategic counsel and policy advocacy services to both public and private organizations, K&L Gates‘ public policy group demonstrates substantive experience across financial services, energy, environment, healthcare, tech, and education. Leadership of the team is shared between: Michael Scanlon, who has a significant practice in domestic and international maritime matters; David Wochner, an energy expert with strong credentials in the natural gas and hydrogen industries; Karishma Page, who manages a diverse portfolio of tax, financial services, healthcare, and employee benefits clients; and Andrew Wright, who is well-versed in congressional oversight, executive compliance, and enforcement actions. Emanuel Rouvelas is another maritime law giant, and often works with the US and foreign governments on international trade and transport matters. Bruce Heiman is a recognized authority on cybersecurity and privacy policy issues, while Daniel Crowley focuses on financial services and capital markets. Tax expert and Of Counsel Leonard Bickwit, and energy, environment, and natural resources specialist Matthew Leggett joined the firm in February 2023, from Miller & Chevalier Chartered and the Senate, respectively. Senior counsel to former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer Jamie Jackson joined in April 2023, expanding the group’s reach in national security and emerging technologies.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Our engagements with K&L Gates have been led with strategic excellence, but also with noteworthy wisdom. They read the issue and broader context quickly, and then suggest a course of action that springs from fresh, current insight and a long-range wealth of personal relationships and impact. We feel well advised by K&L on the issues we face with federal legislators and regulators.’

  • ‘Karishma Page is a particular standout on K&L's team. Each of the team members are strong in their own right, but Karishma brings a warmth, wisdom, grace, attentiveness, patience, and action-oriented perspective to her strategic counsel, which we find invaluable.’

  • ‘Our team from K&L Gates has a passion for our organization, and fully reflect our culture and our values. As a non-profit, it is important to us that our government relations team fully represent us. Not just in words, but in action as well. They have worked to understand us deeply, and they carry that understanding on to the Hill. The group is incredibly intelligent and diverse in backgrounds.’

  • ‘The team is made up of very different people, but all very capable and committed to us as a client. The diversity of backgrounds makes the team stronger. I never sense them competing against each other, but instead pulling together to do what is right for us as a client. They know us and our issues intimately.’

  • ‘The practice distinguishes itself by the quality of support they provide. We were given access to several lawyers from different offices that each had particular knowledge of the components of our situation. Working together as a team, they were able to provide excellent guidance and deliverables for our project.’

  • ‘Their expertise is deep and comprehensive. The access they provide across their international practice and firm is incredibly valuable. They work seamlessly together as a single team to help amplify their impact for us. They are deeply knowledgeable, available, responsive, kind, interesting, supportive, friendly, and incredibly professional.’

  • ‘Their expertise in the subject matter is a real strength and provide advice the business trusts. The collaboration between the offices we work regularly with and other colleagues is excellent.’

Key clients

  • Transportation Institute
  • Church Alliance
  • NextDecade - Rio Grande LNG
  • Avis-Budget Group
  • Pitney Bowes Inc.
  • Receivables Management Association International
  • California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS)
  • Package Coalition
  • Commonwealth LNG
  • Glenfarne Energy Transition
  • American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier
  • Story Partners
  • Stuart M. Slaven

Work highlights

  • Assisted CalPERS and its investment committee and board of directors with corporate governance and financial regulatory reform issues in the US, as well as in the EU and UK.
  • Advised Pitney Bowes on a wide range of government relations matters.
  • Assisted Transportation Institute with projects in substantive areas ranging from international trade to defense to maritime industry promotion.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Michael Scanlon, David Wochner, Karishma Page, Andrew Wright