Drinker Biddle Launches The Byrd Group LLC
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP is launching The Byrd Group LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary with Robert L. “Bob” Byrd, a former member of the Delaware legislature and one of the state’s top government affairs consultants and lobbyists, as its president. Byrd previously was president and CEO of WolfBlock Public Strategies and prior to that was a principal of the government relations firm Wood Byrd Associates for 18 years.
The Byrd Group LLC provides clients with government relations consulting and lobbying services at the local, state and federal levels. Its affiliation with Drinker Biddle, a full-service national law firm, allows the new group to offer a unique combination of capabilities to clients such as strategic political intelligence on evolving public policy developments, procurement regulations, technology advances and competitive activities, all of which can impact business goals and success. The group also helps clients identify and manage political risks as well as recognize and develop new markets and take full advantage of strategic opportunities.
“The addition of Bob’s government relations practice further cements our commitment to building a significant presence in Delaware,” said Drinker Biddle Chairman Alfred W. Putnam, Jr. “Bob will be a tremendous asset to our clients. Few others in the state can compete with his level of knowledge and skill in government relations.”
Bob Byrd served two terms in the Delaware House of Representatives, where he chaired the Labor and Commerce Committee and was Majority Whip. In addition to serving in the state legislature, Bob was vice president and chief lobbyist for the Delaware Chamber of Commerce and was Chair of the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council. He attended Troy University.
“Bob and his team will definitely help us grow even more successful in Delaware,” said Shawn P. Tucker, Regional Partner in Charge of Drinker Biddle’s Wilmington office. Tucker was one of 10 new lawyers, including five partners, who recently joined the office from WolfBlock.
“Our strong Wilmington presence now offers both local and national clients significant experience in government relations, commercial litigation, white collar criminal defense, real estate litigation and land use matters, bankruptcy and environmental law.”
Joining Byrd’s group are government relations professional Kimberly B. Gomes and Drinker Biddle associates Rebecca Byrd and Jennifer Ranji.
Gomes, who has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Delaware, has several years of experience in government relations matters. She also earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware.
Rebecca Byrd focuses her practice on government relations matters. She previously served in the Delaware Governor’s Office as deputy legal counsel, a position that included serving as liaison to the Delaware River and Bay Authority. She also has served as a Delaware Deputy Attorney General and as a clerk for the Delaware Supreme Court. She earned her law degree from Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from George Washington University.
Ranji has significant experience in government affairs, serving in several government policy positions including Director of Legal Affairs for the Delaware Family Court system and as deputy legal counsel to then-Gov. Thomas R. Carper. She is a former chairwoman of the Women and the Law Section of the DSBA, the Delaware Child Protection Accountability Commission and the Governor’s Synar Advisory Committee, having been appointed to the latter two positions by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner. She earned her law degree from Widener University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.