Georgetown University Law Center

University of Virginia

Lawrence High School

Director at Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership

Leads all aspects of the Institute's work. The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership brings together Virginians with a passion for politics and policy, providing a curriculum that emphasizes building trust, civil discourse, mutual respect, ethics, and effective leadership. Our non-partisan mission is to strengthen and enhance the quality of governance at all levels in Virginia. We strive to better politics, governing, and civic engagement by counteracting the pervasive polarization in our public life. The Sorensen Institute is a unit within the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.

The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership

Director

Lead and coordinate various functions of the Office of the Lt. Governor, including legislative, policy, communications, outreach, scheduling, staff and budget management. Work directly with the Lt. Governor to achieve objectives and to work with elected officials, Senate staff, Executive Branch officials, and various stakeholders. Develop strategic plans and oversee/monitor implementation of the plans. Provide crisis management advice and counsel.

Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax

Chief Of Staff

Office of the Lt. Governor of Virginia

Senior Advisor to Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax

Provided strategic direction, political advice, and organizational guidance to the successful campaign for Lt. Governor by Justin Fairfax, the second African-American statewide candidate to be elected in Virginia. Worked closely with the candidate, Campaign Manager Zakiya Thomas, campaign staff and consultants, and outside stakeholders and constituency groups. Traveled extensively and served as a surrogate speaker. Also served as Chair for the Lt. Governor-Elect's transition leading up to his inauguration in January 2018.

Supervised, following the election, the transition and inaugural staffs in addition to preparing for the 2018 General Assembly session.

Justin Fairfax for Lt. Governor  / Transition for Lt. Governor-Elect

Campaign Chair and Transition Chair

As a Partner, worked in several practice areas, including Venable’s Legislative, State and Local Government, and Regulatory Groups.  Relied on over 30 years of experience in private practice, Virginia government, and state and national politics, to represent businesses on federal, state, and local matters including transportation and infrastructure, land use, government contracts, business transactions, litigation, and government relations counseling.

Achieved results for clients by working effectively with the Virginia Congressional delegation, federal and state agencies, and local governments.

Offered to clients and firm colleagues a deep understanding of matters affecting businesses, communities, and residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, having spent three years as Counselor to former Virginia Governor (now U.S. Senator) Tim Kaine and having advised numerous statewide, General Assembly, and local candidates and elected officials.

In June 2017, received Venable’s Benjamin R. Civiletti Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award.

Venable LLP

Partner

Served as Campaign Chairman and part-time senior advisor to former Governor (now Senator-Elect) Tim Kaine (D-VA) and the Kaine for Senate campaign. Key areas of responsibility included: strategic advice to the candidate, campaign manager and senior campaign staff on policy, scheduling, communications, research, political and business outreach, and finance; surrogate speaker appearances; debate preparation; outreach to Obama for Virginia and Democratic Party of Virginia; liaison to Democratic National Committee.

Kaine for Senate

Campaign Chairman and Transition Advisor

Provided advice/counsel to DNC Executive Director; directed nationwide search for DNC's first Chief Diversity Officer; supervised State Party Partnership program; served as liaison with Association of State Democratic Chairs and DNC Budget & Finance Committee; provided transition advice/counsel to Executive Director and Office of the Chairwoman.

Democratic National Committee

Senior Advisor to the Executive Director

Provided advice and counsel to DNC Chairman Tim Kaine; oversaw the operations of the Office of the Chairman; coordinated with DNC Executive Director and all DNC department heads; approved DNC Chairman's external communications; provided strategic planning regarding and coordinated the DNC Chairman's schedule; served as liaison between DNC and Office of the Governor of Virginia.

Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to the Chairman

Responsible for advising Virginia Governor Kaine on key legal, policy, legislative, communications, personnel, scheduling, and political matters affecting Virginia’s highest office.  Supervised external relations, handled confirmation hearings for cabinet members, and served as the Governor’s liaison to the state’s Attorney General as well as the Supreme Court of Virginia. Advised the Governor on clemency petitions in capital and high profile non-capital cases.

Played a key role in securing approvals for the multi-billion dollar Rail to Dulles Airport (Metro Silver Line) project and a $1.5 billion bond project for higher education construction. Coordinated the state’s response after the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting tragedy, including implementing recommendations of the Virginia Tech Review Panel. 

Negotiated a complex settlement agreement between the Commonwealth and survivors and family members of those who lost their lives in the Virginia Tech tragedy; negotiated and worked to secure legislative approval for a settlement with representatives of Earl Washington, Jr., a former death row inmate later exonerated of the crime.

Developed a reputation for working with Democratic and Republican officials to accomplish concrete results for residents of the Commonwealth. While serving as Virginia’s senior executive branch attorney, the Commonwealth was named the “Best State for Business in America” by Forbes and CNBC and was also recognized as the “Top Performing State Government in America” by Governing magazine.

Integrally involved in managing other mission-critical functions, including gubernatorial response to budget stalemate, state government preparation for general and special elections, and litigation regarding transportation funding and the Silver Line. Liaison to Governor’s Political Action Committee and Democratic Party of Virginia. Supervised the 2008 Vice Presidential vetting process for Governor Kaine and First Lady Holton.

Commonwealth of Virginia

Counselor to the Governor

Supervised senior transition staff and the selection of Cabinet members and senior gubernatorial and secretariat staff; provided strategic advice to Governor-Elect Kaine; managed key relationships; conducted meetings and conversations with numerous political stakeholders and governing and policy experts.

Governor-Elect Kaine Transition Committee

Co-Chair

As full-time Chairman, worked closely with gubernatorial candidate Tim Kaine, Campaign Manager Mike Henry, campaign department heads, and external stakeholders; developed strategic objectives; directly supervised the campaign's Political Department.

Kaine for Governor

Campaign Chairman

Partner in Communications Law Group; Skadden Arps is recognized as one of the world's premier law firms; practice focused on broadcast, wireless and satellite regulation, policy, legislation, transactions, litigation, mediation and restructurings.

Skadden Arps

Partner in Communications, Media and Information Technology Department; Partner-in-Charge of firm's Washington, DC office; expanded office from six to 14 attorneys for Seattle-based firm; practice focused on regulation of mass media, wireless, cable, satellite, and competitive wireline regulation; cable franchising; legislation and policy, mediation, transactions, finance, and restructurings.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Founded and grew start-up boutique communications law firm from three to 12 attorneys – 50% women; 25% minorities; supervised $2+ million budget and 25-member staff; established a practice focused on mass media and wireless regulation, policy, transactions, finance, restructurings, and mediation; supervised firm activities in entertainment/new media and information technology practice areas; successfully served as mediator of complex commercial disputes. Roberts & Eckard, P.C., is the only law firm to receive the Distinguished Service Award of the Federal Communications Bar Association.

Roberts & Eckard, P.C.

President

Practice focused on broadcast and wireless licensing, administrative litigation, regulatory advice, transactions, and financial restructurings of communications companies.

Lawrence Roberts