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Tom Daschle Joins DLA Piper as Senior Policy Advisor

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- DLA Piper announced today that former United States Senator Tom Daschle has joined the firm as a Senior Policy Advisor. Senator Daschle was elected to four terms in the House of Representatives beginning in 1978, and went on to serve three terms as US Senator from South Dakota. During his career in the Senate, Daschle led the Democratic Caucus for 10 years as both Majority and Minority Leader.

During nearly three decades in Congress, Senator Daschle helped to shape virtually every major area of public policy, with a particular focus on issues related to health care, financial services, energy, telecommunications and taxes. As Senate Democratic leader, Senator Daschle played an instrumental role in the development of legislative and regulatory policy for over a decade. Senator Daschle also was an early supporter of Barack Obama's presidential bid, and served as an advisor and national co-chair of his campaign.

"Senator Daschle is a senior statesman and is justifiably regarded as one of the wisest and most effective problem solvers in Washington as well as in the Nation and the world," said Francis B. Burch Jr., Global Chairman of DLA Piper. "In three decades of national public service, including 10 years as Democratic Leader in the Senate, Senator Daschle has crafted public policy on every major issue that our clients care about. He is deeply respected on Capitol Hill and has strong ties to policymakers throughout government, and he has knowledge and experience in public policy that only a handful of individuals can match."

At DLA Piper, Senator Daschle will counsel clients on a wide range of regulatory and government affairs issues. He is also expected to play a significant role in management and client development globally. In addition to advising clients, Senator Daschle will also serve on DLA Piper's Global Board.

"We are ecstatic that Senator Daschle has decided to join us," said Governor James J. Blanchard, Co-Chair of DLA Piper's Government Affairs group. "There is no other individual working outside government whose profile matches that of Senator Daschle. His decision to join us is a tremendous boost to the entire firm."

"I am thrilled to be joining DLA Piper," said Senator Daschle. "I believe the strength of DLA Piper's global platform is a powerful tool for making an impact in the areas I care about most. I look forward to playing an active and significant role in the management and future growth of the firm."

About Senator Daschle

Before serving nearly three decades in Congress, Senator Daschle served in the United States Air Force as an intelligence officer with the Strategic Air Command. He worked as a senior aide to then Senator James Abourezk of South Dakota before running for the House of Representatives in 1978. While a Senator, he had leadership roles on a number of Senate committees, including Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Finance, Veterans Affairs, Indian Affairs and Ethics. After leaving the Senate in 2005, Senator Daschle joined Alston & Bird LLP as a special policy advisor.

Senator Daschle earned a B.S. in political science from South Dakota State University.

About DLA Piper (www.dlapiper.com)

DLA Piper has 3,500 lawyers in 29 countries and 67 offices throughout the US, UK, Continental Europe, Middle East and Asia. In certain jurisdictions, this information may be considered attorney advertising.

SOURCE DLA Piper