Akin Gump has announced that Reggie Babin has joined the firm as senior counsel in its public law and policy practice (PLP). Mr. Babin joins the firm from the office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, where he served as Chief Counsel.
“I could not be more excited to join Akin Gump, a firm that is unrivaled when it comes to effectiveness across a spectrum of industries and comprehensiveness of its breadth of practice offerings,” said Mr. Babin. “I look forward to putting the knowledge and experience I’ve earned in nearly a decade working in the House and Senate to work for our clients.”
In his most recent role as Chief Counsel, Mr. Babin was charged with maintaining Leader Schumer’s portfolio, including drug enforcement and cannabis reform, election administration and democracy reform, judicial and legal reform, criminal justice and policing, human and civil rights, and gun safety, and development and coordination of the related Senate Democratic Caucus strategy.
“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie to Akin Gump and to our public law and policy practice,” said Hunter Bates, co-lead of Akin Gump’s PLP practice and former Chief of Staff to current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. “Reggie brings an impressive track record of experience on Capitol Hill and longstanding relationships that further position our firm to help clients navigate the complexities of a divided Congress.”
Prior to working with Leader Schumer, Mr. Babin served as the Legislative Director and, earlier, Counsel to former Rep. Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA). In his role, he managed a legislative portfolio including energy and the environment, intellectual property, judicial and legal reform, criminal justice and law enforcement, and human and civil rights.
Before joining Rep. Richmond’s office, Mr. Babin served as an Associate Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs’ Subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight.
Mr. Babin’s experience includes working with industry, trade associations and coalitions, as well as state and local governments, and national and New York-based stakeholders and constituencies. He also co-managed a number of House caucuses, including Justice and Public Safety, Congressional Refinery and Congressional Maritime.