Welcome to the Orrick Public Policy Podcast, hosted by Jeremy Kudon, Chair of Orrick’s Public Policy Group, and with participation from other practice group members.
There are dozens of podcasts that focus on President Trump, Congress, and everything else that happens “inside the Beltway.” This podcast, like our group, will focus on the places where things really happen – where, unlike Congress, ideas don’t go to die, but are instead introduced, debated, and passed into law. Those places are the state legislatures, and while they might not be getting the same level of attention as the President, Dr. Fauci, or a handful of Governors, they are playing a major role in the response to COVID-19, and will play an even bigger role in the months and years ahead.
By hosting thought-leaders from the government and business community, this podcast will help demystify the state legislatures and give our listeners a slightly better understanding of the role they play, the issues that they are dealing with, and the people that lead them.
#1 – A Conversation with Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield
In our inaugural episode, Jeremy Kudon and Michelle McGann sit down with Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield to discuss his role in leading the state during this period of crisis.
#2 – Orrick Public Policy Podcast Returns with Indiana Speaker of the House Todd Huston
Public Policy Podcast is back this week, and in our latest episode, Orrick Public Policy Group Chair Jeremy Kudon and Senior Strategist Michelle McGann sit down with Speaker Todd Huston to discuss a range of policy issues top of mind for Indiana as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
#3 – A Conversation with New York Deputy Senate Majority Leader Michael Gianaris
Public Policy Podcast is back this week, and in our latest episode, Orrick Public Policy Group Chair Jeremy Kudon and Senior Strategist Michelle McGann sit down with New York Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris.
#4 – A Conversation with Illinois Representative Michael Zalewski
Public Policy Podcast is back this week, and in our latest episode, Orrick Public Policy Group Chair Jeremy Kudon and Senior Strategist Michelle McGann sit down with Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee Chairman Michael Zalewski to discuss technology and an evolving economy in the wake of COVID-19.
#5 – A Conversation with Kansas Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman
Public Policy Podcast is back this week, and in our latest episode, Orrick Public Policy Partner Scott Ward and Senior Strategist Michelle McGann sit down with Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman about how his state legislature is addressing the response to COVID-19 in Kansas, including the constitutional, procedural, and budgetary challenges they have faced as a result of the outbreak.
#6 – A Conversation with Massachusetts Representative Mark Cusack
Public Policy Podcast is back this week, and in our latest episode, Orrick Public Policy Partner Nick Green and Senior Strategist Michelle McGann sit down with Massachusetts Representative Mark Cusack about how COVID-19 is impacting his constituents, remote voting in his legislature, and the future of transportation and education after the outbreak subsides.
#7 – A Conversation with Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson
Public Policy Podcast is back this week, and in our latest episode, Orrick Public Policy Partner Jeremy Kudon and Senior Strategist Michelle McGann sit down with Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson about how states in his region are coordinating during the pandemic, how he uses his experience as a teacher to lead the Maryland Senate, and the state’s innovative approaches to economic recovery in a post-COVID world.
#8 – A Conversation about Black Lives Matter with Illinois Senator Elgie Sims
Orrick stands with the Black Lives Matter Movement and strives to promote dialogue concerning racial equality and policies that work towards safe and inclusive societies. For Public Policy Podcast’s eighth episode, hosts Jeremy Kudon and Michelle McGann have the pleasure of discussing these important topics with Illinois Senator Elgie Sims.
#9 – A Conversation with Arizona Senate President Karen Fann
Public Policy Podcast is back this week, and in our latest episode, Orrick Public Policy Senior Strategist Michelle McGann and Associate Jon Mandel are joined by Arizona Senate President Karen Fann to talk about how her experience as a small business owner and in local government is shaping how Arizona tackles COVID-19, how Arizona government and businesses are working together to make public spaces safer, and which topics the Arizona legislature is considering to address during a special legislative session or next session.
#10 – A Conversation with DC Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie
Public Policy Podcast is turning to the nation’s capital for its first-ever July Fourth episode. Orrick Public Policy Senior Strategist Michelle McGann and Associate Jon Mandel are joined by District of Columbia Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie to talk about how local governments are handling the reopening process, what new approaches to the public safety budget and criminal justice system the DC Council is contemplating, and the recent U.S. House vote on DC statehood.
#11 – A Conversation with Missouri Senate Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden
In its latest episode, Orrick Public Policy Senior Strategist Michelle McGann and Associate Jon Mandel are joined by Missouri Senator Caleb Rowden to talk about what topics the Missouri legislature will address in the upcoming special session, how schools at all levels in his district, including Mizzou, are adapting to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, and what additional arrangements the legislature advanced for the health and safety of voters for the upcoming primary election.
About the Orrick Public Policy Group:
From the fastest-growing disruptors to the Fortune 500, leading companies turn to our Public Policy practice group to solve the issues in the state legislatures and before state attorneys general and regulators that keep them up at night.
Bottom line: We are the only law firm in the United States that has a practice that focuses exclusively on state government – and not just in one state, but in all 50.
For an overview of our Public Policy Practice, including additional state legislative resources, click here.
For Orrick’s comprehensive COVID-19 Resource Center, click here.