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29 Sep 2009
US Senator Mel Martinez joins DLA Piper
Former Florida Senator and HUD Secretary brings decades of legal and legislative experience and expands the firm’s reach into Latin America
Press Release
DLA Piper announced today that former United States Senator Mel Martinez has joined the firm’s Government Affairs practice as a partner. Martinez was a member of the United States Senate representing Florida from January 2005 to September 9, 2009. He brings extensive legislative and legal experience to the firm and will advise clients on government affairs, litigation, financial services, real estate, energy, defense, infrastructure development and other matters.
Senator Martinez comes to DLA Piper with a career spanning both the public and private sectors. In addition to his Senate service, he previously served as United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Mayor of Orange County, Florida and General Chairman of the Republican National Committee. Martinez also has over 25 years in private legal practice, with a focus on civil litigation. In his legal practice, he conducted numerous trials in state and federal courts throughout Florida involving a wide array of product liability and insurance coverage matters.
“Senator Martinez has served the federal government as a US Senator and as Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the State of Florida proudly over a long and decorated career in public service,” said Francis B. Burch Jr., Global Chairman of DLA Piper. “Senator Martinez is highly respected on both Capitol Hill and in his home state of Florida. He also has vast experience and a significant network of international contacts, particularly in Spain and in Latin America which will be a major area of growth and expansion for DLA Piper over the next year.”
“DLA Piper’s global footprint and international networks provide me with the ideal platform to return to private legal practice, while allowing me to stay close to home and my family,” said Martinez. “The firm has market-leading practices in areas like financial services, energy, real estate and defense, where I know I can make a significant contribution. Working in DLA Piper’s offices in Florida, I look forward to helping the firm grow its practice in Latin America and collaborating with a team of distinguished lawyers and professionals with the highest level of legislative knowledge and diplomatic skill.”
A Preeminent Government Affairs Capability
DLA Piper’s Government Affairs group is well positioned to counsel clients in a wide range of legislative and administrative advocacy matters including antitrust competition and trade regulations, electronic commerce and privacy, federal affairs and legislative practice, international trade and state affairs, among others. Co-chaired by former Michigan Governor and former United States Ambassador to Canada Jim Blanchard and former Assistant Attorney General at the Department of Justice Thomas M. Boyd, the Government Affairs group includes lawyers and other professionals who have held senior elected, appointed and staff positions in all branches of federal and state governments and possess the necessary knowledge and insight to guide clients through successful advocacy campaigns before legislative and executive branch decision makers as well as independent federal agencies.
About Mel Martinez
Martinez has a distinguished and diversified career in public office. As a United States Senator, Martinez focused on numerous public policy and legislative issues, serving in leadership roles on numerous Senate committees including Ranking Member of the Sea Power Subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee, Chairman of the Subcommittee on African Affairs of the Foreign Relations Committee and Ranking Member of the Special Committee on Aging. In addition, he was also a member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs as well as Energy and Natural Resources committees. While in office, Martinez also served as General Chairman of the Republican National Committee from January through September 2008, leading the transition in leadership following the 2006 election cycle. He was the first Cuban-American to serve in the United States Senate, and the first Cuban-American to chair a major party.
Martinez also served as the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from January 2001 through December 2003. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, he was instrumental in the rebuilding efforts of lower Manhattan, authorizing $400 million to retain and attract residents to Lower Manhattan, and was also one of the first public officials to call for stronger regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He also established the America’s Affordable Communities Initiative, pursued reform to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and revived the Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Senator Martinez also served as Mayor of Orange County, Florida from November 1998 through January 2001, where he managed a budget of $2.8 billion as well as a staff of 9,000 employees.
Prior to his public service, Martinez was in private practice for 25 years.
Martinez earned a B.A. and J.D. from Florida State University.
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