Dentons, the global law firm, today added three senior advisors to its nationally ranked Public Policy and Regulation practice. Fred DuVal, a former White House official and candidate for governor in Arizona, joins the Firm's Phoenix office; Virgil Fludd, a former state representative in the Georgia General Assembly, joins the Atlanta office; and Gary LaPaille, a former Illinois state senator, joins in Washington, DC.
All three individuals strengthen Dentons' US Public Policy and Regulation practice, expanding its roster of veteran government affairs professionals in offices from coast to coast.
"Fred, Gary and Virgil joining deepens Dentons' ability to provide experience talent across the US to help clients navigate the critical intersection of business, law, regulation, policy and politics," said Dentons US Managing Partner Mike McNamara. "All three have proven backgrounds in corporate achievement, entrepreneurial success and government efficacy that will be of great value to our clients not only at the local level, but nationally as well."
DuVal will serve as a key resource for Dentons' clients in Arizona while working closely with the Firm's Washington, DC, team. He also will spearhead Dentons' new practice in higher education finance. DuVal's expansive political career includes his service under Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt; his tenure as director of Intergovernmental Affairs under President Bill Clinton, when he guided state implementation of federal welfare reform; and his role as chairman of the Arizona Board of Regents, leading the state's 10-year economic development plan. He was the 2014 Democratic nominee for governor of Arizona. DuVal also serves as president of DuVal and Associates.
Fludd strengthens Dentons' bipartisan Georgia State Government Affairs practice in several areas, including tax, regulated industries and financial services. He has more than 30 years of business, political, legislative and leadership experience, including 13 years representing District 64 (which includes parts of suburban Atlanta) in the Georgia General Assembly. Fludd served on the Ways and Means, Regulation Industries, Small Business Development, Ethics and Banking committees, as well as chairing the House Democratic Caucus. Immediately prior to joining Dentons, Flood served as president and CEO of The Carvir Group.
LaPaille is a former Illinois state senator, vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Illinois state Democratic chairman, and president and founder of mCapitol Management, a bi-partisan government relations firm. Immediately prior to joining Dentons, LaPaille served as senior vice president for government affairs at MWH Global, a global water and natural resources firm, providing technical engineering, construction and consulting services. He has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of business and politics and will leverage that experience with Dentons' Government Affairs team at the federal, state and local levels.
"This has been a tremendous year of growth and innovation for our US Public Policy and Regulation team," said Eric Tanenblatt, co-leader of the practice. "With the launch of Dentons 50, the opening of our Sacramento office and the growth of our team, including Fred, Gary and Virgil, Dentons is uniquely positioned to offer comprehensive solutions to our clients' most challenging public policy matters across the US."
Dentons' Public Policy and Regulation practice has announced a number of impressive strategic growth initiatives this year. Last week, the Firm announced the opening of an office in Sacramento, its 22nd in the United States, further extending its California reach. The office focuses on supporting clients' regulatory and public policy representational needs, as well as counseling clients who meet with governmental officials in Sacramento. Earlier this year, Dentons announced the launch of Dentons 50, a full-service, 50-state public policy and advocacy network offering unrivaled reach and depth in state capitals across the nation for clients in all industry sectors. The Dentons 50 network is a comprehensive, centralized resource for businesses with complex, multi-state policy matters.
Dentons' US Public Policy and Regulation practice is chaired by Ambassador Gordon Giffin, with Eric Tanenblatt and Mike Zolandz serving as practice co-leaders. It includes former national party officials, ambassadors, members of the US Congress and top aides to US presidents, governors and senators, including Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives and former US presidential candidate; Howard Dean, former Governor of Vermont and former US presidential candidate; Bill McCollum, former Attorney General of Florida and former member of US Congress from Florida; Jeffrey Bleich, former US Ambassador to Australia and former California State Bar Association president; Thurbert Baker, former Attorney General of Georgia; and Ron Kaufman, former White House political director for President George H. W. Bush.
About Dentons
Dentons is the world's largest law firm, delivering quality and value to clients around the globe. Dentons is a leader on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index, a BTI Client Service 30 Award winner and recognized by prominent business and legal publications for its innovations in client service, including founding Nextlaw Labs and the Nextlaw Global Referral Network. Dentons' polycentric approach and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client interests in the communities in which we live and work. www.dentons.com
