The Hill Features Brendan Dunn and Zachary Rudisill in Profile of Movement of GOP Staffers

The Hill, in its article “Authors of GOP tax law disperse to lobby firms,” featured two recent additions to Akin Gump’s public law and policy practice, partners Brendan Dunn and Zachary Rudisill, in a story about Republican congressional aides who have left their jobs on Capitol Hill. Dunn and Rudisill both joined Akin Gump this month after working in high-profile roles in the Senate.

The article reports that many GOP staffers saw last year’s new tax law as the culmination of years of policy work—and took it as an opportunity to make a switch.

Dunn, a former policy advisor to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), echoed that point, saying some people stayed on Capitol Hill longer than they otherwise would have just for the chance to work on the tax bill. There were “a lot of people who stayed for tax reform,” he said.

For Rudisill, a former tax counsel to Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), joining a law firm now “was just the right time for the next step in my professional career.” He spent eight years working in Congress.

Dunn added that the congressional schedule can also take its toll. “When the Senate’s in session,” he said, “you have to be there. That means extremely long nights sitting at your desk. That can wear on you.”