Former Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna Joins Orrick

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP announced today that Rob McKenna, former Attorney General of the State of Washington, has joined the firm as a partner and co-chair of Orrick’s Public Policy Group. Mr. McKenna’s second term as Washington Attorney General ended on January 16, 2013. He will be based in Orrick’s Seattle office. 

Orrick is one of the leading U.S. law firms representing technology, financial services, energy and consumer products companies. In recognition of the increasing importance of state regulation to businesses, Orrick has developed an innovative public policy practice that helps clients solve their most critical legal and competitive issues in the state legislatures and before state attorneys general. As Washington State Attorney General, Mr. McKenna passed more legislation—45 bills in all —than any Washington Attorney General in recent history. He also served as President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) where he led coordinated efforts to address data protection, privacy, cybersecurity and intellectual property theft issues, among other initiatives. 

"As Washington Attorney General, Rob has been a national leader in the development of data protection and privacy regulation that promotes innovation while protecting consumers," said Mitch Zuklie, chair-elect of Orrick. "This is an area of significant focus for Orrick's technology and other clients, and Rob will be an invaluable asset to them as they pursue coordinated policy advocacy, regulatory compliance and litigation strategies across the country."

"Rob brings an unsurpassed record of leading government and businesses to collaborate in a way that promotes innovation while protecting consumers," added Joshua Rosenkranz, co-chair of Orrick's Public Policy Group and head of Orrick’s Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation practice. "We could not be more thrilled to be adding Rob McKenna's skill set and reputation in strategic policy initiatives and appellate advocacy."

McKenna's legislative agenda included a number of initiatives focused on privacy and data security, including passage of one of the nation's first anti-spyware laws, as well as measures to prevent identity theft. He was the first state Attorney General to build a computer forensics lab to collect evidence of Internet fraud. He also built a strong litigation record, successfully arguing three appeals before the United States Supreme Court and co-leading settlement negotiations of three of the largest multi-state consumer protection investigations in national history.

"Upon deciding to return to private practice, I looked for a firm that offered a top-tier national and international platform and a client roster of leading technology and consumer product companies," said Mr. McKenna. "Orrick offers all of that plus a truly innovative public policy practice."

Mr. McKenna added, "I look forward to collaborating with Orrick’s accomplished litigation, corporate and public policy lawyers in Seattle and worldwide on cutting-edge legal issues for our clients."

Mr. McKenna was awarded the Kelley-Wyman Award for "Outstanding Attorney General" in America by his fellow Attorneys General in 2011.  As NAAG President, he co-launched the NAAG Intellectual Property Theft Committee to advance the national fight against counterfeiting and piracy. Mr. McKenna was the 2012 Republican candidate for Governor of the State of Washington, narrowly losing the election. Prior to serving as Washington Attorney General, Mr. McKenna served on the King County Council and was an attorney at Perkins Coie. He earned his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1988, where he was a member of the Law Review.