Edward Tobin is vice chair of WilmerHale's Public Policy and Strategy practice. He is also a member of the firm's Government Litigation and Strategy Group, and the Investigations and Criminal Litigation Group. Mr. Tobin was originally associated with the firm from 1990 to 1993 as a litigator. He returned to the firm as a partner in 2005.
Practice
Mr. Tobin's practice focuses on providing strategic counsel, investigation-related expertise, and crisis management assistance to clients confronting challenges and opportunities at the intersection of government, law and public policy, especially those with federal-state and multi-state dimensions. He assists corporations and associations in crafting federal and state strategies and provides advice to companies facing problems that carry significant political and public relations risk. In addition, Mr. Tobin works with clients to ensure that their political contributions, lobbying activities, and public affairs programs are effective and in compliance with federal and state laws.
Since returning to WilmerHale, Mr. Tobin's work has included:
- undertaking a comprehensive review for a Fortune 500 defense and intelligence contractor of its lobbying, procurement, political, and charitable activities in Washington, DC and selected states and recommending improvements and best practices in these areas;
- advising several large hedge funds regarding compliance with federal and state laws and regulations relating to political contributions, lobbying activities, and the gathering of "political intelligence" as well as best practices and corporate policies on these matters;
- advising several Fortune 500 companies seeking to fashion public-private partnerships with state governments or facing regulatory and enforcement challenges in multiple states;
- advising a leading technology company facing intense media and Congressional scrutiny regarding its operations in China, including helping the company and its executives prepare for Congressional hearings and testimony;
- providing strategic counsel to a Native American tribe and its lobbying team regarding federal legislative and regulatory issues impacting its effort to re-locate a casino;
- representing a defense industry CEO in connection with a high profile Congressional corruption investigation by the Department of Justice.
Pro bono
As part of his pro bono practice, Mr. Tobin led a team of WilmerHale lawyers that successfully represented a client in a high profile immigration case. Building support among members of Congress, diplomatic officials and others including the New York City Mayor, the team halted deportation proceedings and obtained a student visa that allows the client to live and study in the United States. In recognition, Mr. Tobin and his team received the New York Legal Aid Society's 2006 Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service. The client and the team's work on his behalf were featured by several media outlets, including the New York Times and the Associated Press.
Background
Mr. Tobin has extensive experience in law, business, politics and both state and federal policy-making:
- Immediately prior to re-joining the firm, he served for three years as the executive director of the Republican Governors Association (RGA), where he successfully established the RGA as an independent political organization. Mr. Tobin was instrumental in increasing the Republican majority in the nation's state houses during his tenure. Mr. Tobin served as the Republican governors' primary liaison to the White House, senior administration officials and congressional leaders regarding public policy matters.
- From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Tobin served as deputy general counsel for corporate affairs at Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, Washington, where he was responsible for directing all of the company's federal, state and local government affairs; industry affairs; community affairs; and corporate philanthropy. Recruited by Microsoft leadership to revamp its government and community affairs operations in light of serious challenges to the corporation, Mr. Tobin was a major contributor to the successful resolution of the federal and multi-state antitrust actions.
- From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Tobin was vice president for public policy at US WEST, Inc., where he was responsible for successfully developing and coordinating legislative and regulatory strategies throughout the company's 14-state region and in Washington, DC during a period of dynamic change and heightened competition in the communications industry.
- From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Tobin served on the senior staff of Massachusetts Governor William F. Weld, the final two years as chief secretary. Mr. Tobin was responsible for political strategy; federal-state relations; Cabinet, board and commission appointments and key priorities such as public safety and welfare reform.
- As a litigation associate at the firm from 1990 to 1993, Mr. Tobin handled matters involving white-collar crime, securities litigation and other aspects of business litigation. He also served as chief of staff to attorney James D. St. Clair for the latter's pro bono investigation and report on the management of the Boston Police Department, the recommendations of which resulted in widespread changes within the department.
Community Involvement
Mr. Tobin serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of Trustees of Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC. He and his wife Christine and their three boys reside in Milton, Massachusetts.
