Two New York law firms have brought on former U.S. congressmen for new adviser roles.
Barclay Damon has added Jack Quinn as senior adviser for public and community relations. Quinn, a Republican member of Congress from 1993 to 2005, was previously president of Erie Community College.
John Langan, managing partner of 275-attorney Barclay Damon, said Quinn, based in Buffalo, will primarily advise firm leadership and lawyers on business development and marketing strategies in certain practices, such as higher eduction, energy and municipal law.
"Lawyers are striving to become more acquainted, familiar and comfortable with the industries they serve," Langan said. "A guy like Congressman Quinn can be invaluable in providing perspective of clients and constituencies."
The Barclay position is a full-time job for Quinn, who is not a lawyer and will not lobby.
The firm also has on staff Michael McNulty, a senior business adviser who was a Democratic member of Congress from 1989 to 2009 and who works mostly with Albany attorneys.
Meanwhile, 58-attorney Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, based in Long Island, has been working with former Congressman Steve Israel since January.
Israel, a Democratic member of Congress from 2001 until this year, is a senior strategic adviser for the firm's leadership. The position is a part-time, non-lobbying role for Israel, who is not an attorney. Israel also teaches and hosts events at a campus institute at Long Island University.
Firm chair Lew Meltzer said Israel consults with him on firm strategy, chairs the firm's board of advisers to focus on business opportunities and advises clients on navigating government regulations and procedures.