Former Carcieri chief of staff back in private sector

Kenneth K. McKay IV /
Kenneth K. McKay IV /

Kenneth K. McKay IV, former chief of staff to Gov. Donald L. Carcieri, has joined Brown Rudnick Berlack Israels LLP in Providence, where he will advise clients on matters relating to the intersection of business and public policy and will develop legislative strategies.
McKay was Carcieri’s chief of staff for five years before leaving to run the governor’s re-election campaign. He also managed Carcieri’s first gubernatorial campaign and his transition team. Prior to working in state government, he was an attorney with Taft & McSally, in Cranston. He is also an Army veteran.

PBN: Why did you choose to return to the private sector?
McKAY: I have the benefit of direct and recent experience in Rhode Island political affairs and legislative planning and negotiation. As the successful re-election campaign came to a close, I realized I wanted to utilize that expertise to help state and local businesses succeed. Brown Rudnick has a strong profile in the … business community … and offers a valuable combination of experience, perspective, relationships and talent.

PBN: What kinds of clients do you expect to represent?
McKAY: I expect to develop and implement legislative strategies for a range of Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, not-for-profits and government entities.

PBN: Has your work in government changed your approach as a lawyer?
McKAY: Working in the public sector has made me appreciate the need to gain consensus early on in major projects. The practical problem-solving skills I gained from the governor’s office will serve me well as a lawyer when guiding businesses through the often complex political process.

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PBN: Are you concerned at all about public perceptions, given that you’re going into government relations in particular, and in such a small state?
McKAY: I am not concerned at all. There’s a revolving door statute prohibiting me from representing clients before the executive branch until after May 2007. In addition, I plan to focus my practice on regional issues, which is a key strength of Brown Rudnick’s government relations practice. … And finally, Brown Rudnick has a reputation for remaining true to the political process in its client advocacy.

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