William J. "Bill" Howell, one of the Virginia House of Delegates' longest-serving speakers, has joined McGuireWoods Consulting as a senior advisor in a non-lobbying role. He will advise clients on government relations and public affairs strategies in Virginia and state capitals across the country.
"This is a wonderful addition for clients who look to McGuireWoods as a one-stop shop for excellence in meeting both their public affairs and legal needs," said Jonathan P. Harmon, chairman of McGuireWoods law firm.
Howell was speaker from 2003 to 2018, a time when Virginia posted 10 budget surpluses totaling $2.5 billion. Under his leadership, the House of Delegates emphasized significant reforms in state government and strategic investments in higher education, economic development, and mental health services. Howell's notable legislative achievements also included a major transportation initiative passed with bipartisan support and state-funded incentives for land conservation.
With the ability to deliver solutions in all 50 states, the national multistate strategies team helps clients with strategic political and policy issues at the highest levels of state government, focusing on client matters with governors, attorneys general, legislatures, insurance commissioners and other national associations of state officials. Howell's broad knowledge of issues, expertise in legislative process and relationships with state leaders greatly expands the team's ability to guide clients toward solutions for their business problems.
Texas Speaker Joseph Straus III and Maryland Speaker Michael Busch offered bipartisan praise for Howell.
"Having been one of the longest-serving speakers of Virginia's House of Delegates, my friend Bill Howell always demonstrated a keen understanding of the needs of business, of how policy is made on the state level, and how government and the private sector interact for the common good," said Straus, a Texas Republican.
Howell was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1987, representing a Stafford County-based legislative district for 30 years. In addition to serving as speaker during his three decades of legislative service, he co-chaired the House Courts of Justice Committee in 2000 and became its chairman in 2002.
Howell expressed enthusiasm for the firm and team he joined.
"Since it was founded 20 years ago, McGuireWoods Consulting has earned a well-deserved reputation for consistently delivering successful outcomes for clients. Many of my new colleagues there have been friends for years, and I am honored to join such an outstanding and respected group of professionals," said Howell.
In addition to his public service, Howell is an attorney whose practice focused on trust and estate law. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Richmond. He and his wife, Cessie, have been married for 52 years.
Recognized in The National Law Journal's Influence 50 as one of the top 15 U.S. lobbying firms, McGuireWoods Consulting is the full-service public affairs arm of McGuireWoods LLP, an Am Law 100 firm with 1,100 lawyers in 23 offices worldwide. The law firm and McGuireWoods Consulting provide clients with one-stop legal and public policy solutions that have been recognized for innovations and client service for the past two years in Financial Times' North America Innovative Lawyers report.