Akin announced on Monday a key addition to its lobbying & public policy practice in Washington, hiring former Texas congressman and legislator Kevin Brady.
Brady served the state’s 8th congressional district from 1997 until he retired at the end of his term following the 2022 election. The firm said in a news release that his “experience will further strengthen Akin’s policy capabilities” and cited specifically Brady’s familiarity with matters such as “tax, trade, healthcare and energy.”
“As a Texan, I am thrilled to join Akin, a prestigious brand with deep roots in the Lone Star State,” said Brady. “The firm’s reputation in the areas under the jurisdiction of the Ways and Means Committee is unparalleled, and that made it a natural choice for me. Some of the most respected professionals in the industry on tax, trade, energy and healthcare call Akin home. I’m looking forward to working with this deep bench to help Akin’s clients during this pivotal time.”
Brady spent more than 15 years on the House Ways and Means Committee and was its chairman from 2015 to 2019, which meant he played a pivotal part in putting together legislation such as the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (2017) and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (2020), which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement.
“We are honored to welcome Chairman Brady to the firm,” said Hunter Bates, former chief of staff to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and co-head of Akin’s lobbying & public policy practice in Washington. “His role as the architect of the TCJA during his tenure as chair of the Ways and Means Committee provides him with a unique insight that will be invaluable for our clients as we approach the TCJA’s expiration in 19 months. Chairman Brady will be a vital part of our team’s focused effort to preserve tax cuts that stimulate the economy and create jobs.”
Hired as a senior policy consultant, Brady is Akin’s latest addition to its lobbying & public policy practice, which includes more than 75 lawyers and other experts. The firm noted that Brady’s extensive experience in healthcare and energy was a draw, particularly his helping to modernize Medicare and ending the four-decade ban on selling U.S. crude oil to the rest of the world.
“We are delighted to have Chairman Brady join our team, especially at a time when Texas is at the forefront of shaping energy and oil & gas policy,” said Alison Chen, head of Akin’s office in Houston. “His extensive experience and strategic insights will be invaluable in helping our clients navigate this dynamic landscape.”