Orrick Public Policy Podcast #4 – A Conversation with Illinois Representative Michael Zalewski

Note: This episode was recorded on April 29, 2020
May.08.2020

In the latest Public Policy Podcast episode, Orrick Public Policy Group Chair Jeremy Kudon and Senior Strategist Michelle McGann sit down with Illinois Representative Michael Zalewski.

Representative Michael Zalewski chairs the powerful Revenue & Finance Committee in the Illinois House of Representatives. Throughout his career he has been on the forefront of emerging issues in the technology space, including the sharing economy, gaming and the blockchain economy.

Listen in to hear Representative Zalewski discuss the Illinois legislature and what issues are on the rise in the months and years following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Episode 4 Guest: Illinois Representative Michael Zalewski

photo of Illinois Representative Michael Zalewski Representative Michael Zalewski has served in the General Assembly since 2008. He represents the Chicago suburb of Riverside. During his ten years in the legislature, Michael has authored and led passage of a number of important laws, including Illinois’ first Racketeering statute, comprehensive ride-share law, the creation of an Independent Tax Tribunal, and a rewritten EDGE tax credit to lure more businesses to the State of Illinois. He has also lead Elections & Campaign Finance Reform, Health Care Licenses, and Revenue & Finance Committees as Chairperson.

Michael is an attorney by trade, practicing law at the firm of Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, LLP and lives in west suburban Riverside with his wife Carrie, and their four children, Reese, Henry, Ellamae, and Cecilia.

Contacts

Jeremy Kudon Partner, State Legislative & Regulatory, Gaming & Gambling

New York

E[email protected]

See my bio

E: [email protected]

Practice:

Technology & Innovation Sector
State Legislative & Regulatory
Gaming & Gambling
Strategic Advisory & Government Enforcement (SAGE)

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Jeremy Kudon Partner

New York

No other group in the United States - whether at a law firm, public affairs firm, or inside the Beltway - can match Jeremy and Orrick's record of success in the state legislatures. Unlike others, who specialize in tracking bills, identifying contract lobbyists (and taking a % of their fee), or developing expensive media and PR campaigns, Jeremy and his team don't specialize in any one area of state government affairs; they specialize in EVERYTHING. They learn your business, work with you on your objectives--both overall and in the state legislatures, identify threats/opportunities, develop a budget, hire contract lobbyists, draft legislation, prepare advocacy pieces, attend legislative conferences, travel to state capitols and educate members about your issue, testify before committees, develop and implement grassroots and PR campaigns, coordinate roll calls, and coordinate every aspect of both the state and overall campaign to add the most possible value to your business.

Just listen to what the media and our clients have to say – The New York Times profiled our efforts in passing online sports betting and daily fantasy sports legislation in an extensive above-the-fold report and in an episode of their podcast, “The Daily.” And from an interview with TechCruch, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins said Jeremy and Orrick’s Public Policy team have “helped us go from a tech company that didn’t know a whole lot about legislative affairs and regulation to really being sophisticated there” and praised that “For anyone who’s in a disruptive industry and might be regulated, they really did a fantastic job.”

Michelle (McGann) MacGregor Senior Strategist, State Legislative & Regulatory, Strategic Advisory & Government Enforcement (SAGE)

Washington, D.C.

See my bio

D:+1 202 339 8552
E: [email protected]

Practice:

State Legislative & Regulatory
Strategic Advisory & Government Enforcement (SAGE)

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See full bio

Michelle (McGann) MacGregor Senior Strategist

Washington, D.C.

Before joining Orrick, Michelle gained broad experience working with elected leadership at the federal and state government levels. Most recently as Executive Director of the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, Michelle was responsible for advancing the Committee’s objectives of providing financial support, leadership development, and strategic assistance to lawmakers nationwide. In her previous leadership positions at the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee, Michelle reported directly to Senate and House leadership and was tasked with advancing their objectives by evaluating and managing the nexus of policy initiatives and political impact.

Michelle is a graduate of Amherst College, where she received a B.A. in Political Science.