In a strategic move, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, a Columbus-based law and lobbying firm, has acquired four lobbyists affected by the sudden closure of Resolute Public Affairs’ D.C. office last year.
Among the new hires are Raul Alvillar, former New Mexico state director for President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign; Todd Elmer, a former White House advance lead for first lady Jill Biden and an AI lobbying veteran; Neil Simon, a former journalist and communications operative, and Adam Wilczewski, a Commerce Department alum, all joining as principals.
This addition, combined with three hires in the previous year, has more than doubled Porter Wright’s D.C. office since 2022. While the firm hasn’t registered to lobby for any federal clients since 2018, the expansion signals a notable strategic move.
Determined Lobbyists (Credits: Porter Wright Morris and Arthur LLP)
Meanwhile, tensions escalate between the Senate subcommittee and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Senators Richard Blumenthal and Ron Johnson, the chair and ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Investigations Subcommittee, accuse PIF of “unprecedented” stonewalling in response to their inquiry into the U.S. business dealings of the fund.
The senators highlight their legitimate inquiry into potential foreign influence through commerce within the U.S. and express concern over PIF’s refusal to comply with subpoenas issued in November to McKinsey & Company, M. Klein & Co., Boston Consulting Group, and Teneo Strategy.
The subpoenas were related to PIF’s business dealings in the U.S., triggered by the LIV Golf-PGA Tour deal financed by PIF. The senators demand PIF’s lawyers provide a memo explaining the legal bases for noncompliance. The situation underscores the complexities and legal confrontations in investigating foreign influence in U.S. business dealings.
