On December 31st, long-time firm partner Richard Agnew concluded eight years of service as Chairman of Van Ness Feldman.  He is returning to representing legal and policy clients full-time in Washington, DC and the Pacific Northwest.  Nancy Macan McNally and Doug Smith were elected Co-Chairs of the firm, effective January 1, 2020.

In remarks to the firm at the end of his term as Chairman, Agnew stated, “I am enthusiastically handing off the leadership of the firm to Nancy and Doug.  Each is an exceptionally talented and widely respected professional.  They enjoy working with each other as a leadership team and are committed to maintaining the core firm values of providing excellent legal and policy services with a spirit of collaboration and creativity.  Our clients have valued this approach for over 40 years.”  Rick added, “I am looking forward to resuming a full-time focus on firm clients.

Rick joined the firm in 1991, serving for many years as managing partner of the firm’s Seattle office before moving to Washington, DC to succeed founder Howard Feldman as firm Chairman in 2012.

Rick’s leadership was key to the firm’s continued growth as nationally respected law and government relations firm focused on the areas of energy, environment, natural resources, Native Affairs, litigation and investigations.  During his tenure as Chairman, Rick navigated the firm through transitions in the legal services market—through combinations with Gordon Derr and Hunsucker Goodstein, changes in the political climate, and the addition of two office locations.  Rick successfully guided the firm into the new decade with his thoughtful leadership and strong commitment to the pursuit of excellence.