Michael Best Adds Former White House Deputy Counsel in Washington, D. C.
Stefan Passantino, former White House Deputy Counsel in charge of compliance and ethics oversight, has joined Michael Best’s Government Relations, Public Policy & Compliance Practice Group in Washington, D.C. Passantino is the newest addition to join Michael Best’s team of former White House staff, including former Chief of Staff Reince Priebus.
In a release, the firm said Passantino joins Michael Best after serving as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Counsel since January 2017. An Atlanta native, Passantino’s work in the political law and compliance arena dates to the early 2000s. Passantino previously chaired the Political Law group at McKenna Long & Aldridge, LLP, which then merged with the global law firm Dentons U.S., LLP, where he counseled corporations, advocacy and lobbying groups, candidates and campaigns on matters of election law, state and federal lobbying rules, and ethics regulations compliance.
“I’ve known Stefan to be an exceptional attorney with an inherent ability to understand the complexities of regulatory and compliance matters better than most seasoned veterans in Washington,” said Reince Priebus, President of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP and Chief Strategist for Michael Best Strategies LLC. “His addition will be a statement to our industry and underscore our strategic vision in the Beltway and nationally. Michael Best is taking important steps to make its mark on Washington, D.C., as a new power player in town.”
At Michael Best, Passantino will focus his practice on serving corporations and businesses in the areas of campaign finance, public policy, and compliance counseling concerning the rules and regulations related to corporate involvement in political activities, the firm said.
“Stefan is a great addition to our firm having served at the highest level of the Executive Branch, and his extensive experience will greatly benefit our clients,” said David Krutz, Firm Managing Partner of Michael Best. “A Chambers rated lawyer, Stefan is widely respected for his temperament and ability to provide sound counsel concerning campaign and ethics compliance — and he will strengthen our already strong presence inside the Beltway.”
“Our strategic initiatives to expand our business presence and bring on valuable, top-level, talent are bolstered by the addition of Stefan. He will be a key asset in our efforts to provide the broadest and highest-level counsel to our clients,” said Kevin Barner, managing partner of Michael Best’s Washington, D.C., office.
The addition of Stefan Passantino comes on the heels of Michael Best announcing the relocation of its Washington, D.C., office to 1000 Maine Ave., “The Wharf,” where it is scheduled to occupy the space in early 2019.
Passantino earned his J.D. from the Emory University School of Law, where he served as managing editor of the Emory Law Journal and received his B.A. in Political Science from Drew University.
