Akin‘s lobbying and public policy practice offers longstanding, bipartisan experience coordinating legal, political, and policy solutions. The team has a range of sector expertise, including notable experience in artificial intelligence and healthcare-related work. Practice co-chair Hunter Bates draws on experience with policymakers and high-profile corporate clients in his practice, and also works regularly with mission-driven organizations. Brian Pomper, co-chair, advises clients on a full range of public policy matters including market access problems, foreign investment issues, international tax questions, and customs issues, among others. Pomper’s experience with trade-related matters is particularly noted. Federal legislative advocacy is a key area of strength for Ed Pagano, whose expertise across antitrust, communications, and immigration reform matters combines with experience gained as Senate Liaison and Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs in the Obama administration. Jeffrey McMillen is recommended for tax policy and regulatory matters, and Hans Rickhoff is a key name for AI-related work, also an area of strength for Reggie Babin. Kelly Ann Shaw joined the team from Hogan Lovells US LLP in May 2025. All mentioned team members are based in Washington DC.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Best in class on congressional outreach, especially Ways & Means and Finance and on issues related to tax and trade.'
- 'Excellent collaboration between policy and legal teams provides full suite of services for clients.'
- 'Chris Treanor is our lead counsel. He is absolutely incredible. Provides all the support and knowledge we need, has strong relationships with people we value, always has an answer, has mastered our industry and is available at all times. He makes it feel as though we are the only client.'
- 'I feel extremely important to our Akin Counsel. They are available round the clock, always willing to jump on anything, support all our needs, are incredibly knowledgeable and the chemistry between our teams is fantastic.'
Key clients
- Artificial Intelligence (Including Adobe, Dropbox, OpenAI, Microsoft and Salesforce, among others)
- Alliance for Automotive Innovation
- Dell Technologies
- Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE), EQT Corporation and Fervo Energy
- Mountain Gateway
- Humane World Action Fund
- National Independent Venue Association & Fix the Tix Coalition
- Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Work highlights
Advised Nippon Steel Corporation in its monumental merger with United States Steel Corporation.
Coordinated closely with the White House, State Department and Congress, leading to House and Senate resolutions supporting the detainees and efforts to stop Nicaragua’s abuse of the Interpol system and secured release from Nicaraguan prison for 13 members of the Texas-based evangelical missionary organization Mountain Gateway.
Building on the success of the Save Our Stages Act, advised NIVA (association of independent music clubs) to launch the FIX THE TIX Coalition (the “Coalition”), a broad coalition of more than 30 national organizations representing live entertainment, music and performing arts stakeholders, to reform the ticketing experience and combat predatory and deceptive ticketing practices.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Hans Rickhoff
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Hunter Bates; Brian Pomper
Other key lawyers
Jeffrey McMillen; Zachary Rudisill; Ed Pagano; Hans Rickhoff; Christopher Treanor; Reggie Babin