Former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock Joins Baker Donelson's Government Relations and Public Policy Group

Sheila P. Burke, chair of Baker Donelson's Government Relations and Public Policy Group, said, "Barbara's deep knowledge of Congress and demonstrated ability to work across the aisle will be invaluable in helping our clients develop clear public policy strategies. She will be a stellar addition to our group of policy professionals who share her in-depth understanding of federal policymaking and commitment to bipartisan cooperation as the foundation for creating practical solutions."

"I am excited to join Baker Donelson and bring my decades of policy experience in the legislative, administrative, and private sector arenas, as well as a lifetime of relationships, to provide strategic guidance on building winning coalitions and strategies," said Ms. Comstock. "I appreciate the national and wide-ranging platform of opportunities that Baker Donelson provides, as well as its commitment to diversity in its leadership and Women's Initiative, which has contributed to the Firm's recognition as one of FORTUNE magazine's '100 Best Companies to Work For' for nine consecutive years."

At Baker Donelson, Ms. Comstock will have a multifaceted practice given her extensive experience in the legislative and administrative branches of government.

• Having served as the Chief Counsel for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and as outside counsel on numerous high-profile investigations, Ms. Comstock will provide invaluable guidance to businesses and individuals involved in high-stakes oversight hearings.
   
• She will provide experienced counsel on technology and cybersecurity issues, built on her Congressional leadership as chair of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee's Research and Technology subcommittee, and her ability to form coalitions to pass key technology and STEM legislation.
   
• Ms. Comstock will offer a bipartisan and strategic approach to developing solutions, as demonstrated in her leadership of bipartisan efforts on reforming anti-sexual harassment legislation, and passing major public safety and human trafficking legislation, as well as opioid response legislation.
   
• She will continue to be an advocate for the business community, having worked in Congress and in the Virginia House of Delegates on coalitions to pass legislation that created jobs and advanced business priorities on both the national and state levels.

First elected to Congress in 2014, Ms. Comstock served two terms representing Virginia's diverse 10th Congressional District located in Northern Virginia. During her time in Congress, she served on the Joint Economic Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the House Administration Committee, and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Prior to Congress, Ms. Comstock served three terms in the Virginia House of Delegates. In the Virginia General Assembly, she served as Chairwoman of the Science and Technology Committee, as well as the Commerce and Labor Committee. She authored and passed legislation such as the Research and Development Tax Credit, Data Center Tax Incentives, and the first Telework bills in Virginia.

Prior to elected office, Ms. Comstock co-founded her own public affairs firm and was a senior partner at Blank Rome Government Relations. She also served as Director of the Office of Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Justice, overseeing the Justice Department and FBI, and handling communications dealing with major terrorism investigations, corporate fraud, and antitrust matters. Ms. Comstock worked as a strategic advisor for the Mitt Romney presidential campaigns, was head of Research and Strategy at the Republican National Committee, and worked with the George W. Bush 2000 presidential campaign. Ms. Comstock first worked on Capitol Hill as a senior aide to Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf (1990–1995), working on transportation, health care, business and appropriations matters.

In 2013, Ms. Comstock founded "The Young Women's Leadership Program" for women in high school and junior high, which will now be housed at the "Barbara Comstock Institute for Women in Leadership" at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government.

Ms. Comstock will serve as a Fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics for the spring 2019 semester.

Ms. Comstock has earned numerous recognitions, including being named by the Washingtonian as one of the "100 Most Powerful Women in Washington". She received the "In a Heartbeat Award" from Youth for Tomorrow; The Women's Center "Leadership Award"; the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) "Legislator of the Year Award"; the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation "Eagle Award" for STEM leadership; the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) "Guardian of Small Business Award"; and the "2018 Outstanding Woman Award," presented by the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Virginia.