Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Strengthens Government Relations Practice With Former Corbett Chief of Staff Leslie Gromis Baker

PITTSBURGH, PA and HARRISBURG, PA--(Marketwired - Feb 23, 2015) - Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney announced today it has appointed Leslie Gromis Baker as co-chair and managing director of its State and Federal Government Relations practice, effective March 2, 2015. In her new role, Gromis Baker's efforts will focus on strategic growth, and she will oversee client relationships for the firm's Government Relations practice.

Gromis Baker brings more than 25 years of experience in both government and politics to the firm, working in the White House under George H.W. Bush and most recently serving as chief of staff to former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett. She was previously affiliated with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney from 2006-July 2013. In addition to Gromis Baker's appointment, the firm has named Robert L. Shuster as co-chair of the State and Federal Government Relations practice firmwide. Indicative of the practice's continued growth and strength, the firm also announced today that they have added seven new government relations professionals in its Tallahassee office.

"Leslie has proven herself as one of the premier political strategists and consultants in the country in both the public and private sector, and at every level of government -- all the way up to the White House," said John A. Barbour, CEO, managing director and chairman of the board for Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. "We are thrilled to have her back on our team. We are confident that Leslie, along with Bob, will build upon the strength of our Government Relations practice and bring it to even higher levels of success." 

"I'm excited to return to Buchanan and I'm looking forward to working closely with Bob to service the firm's well-established client base and help the practice continue to grow," said Gromis Baker. "With offices in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. and our recent expansion in Florida, Buchanan continues to be well-positioned to service clients and all of their needs."

A long-time shareholder of the firm, Shuster has a similar track record of success, dealing with legislative matters at both the federal and state level for more than two decades. He provides counsel to clients on general business matters and legislative and public policy issues, including transportation, industrial development opportunities and state and federal appropriations. He was a member of President George W. Bush's Transportation Transition Team and served as the director and coordinator for the elections of Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor and as a regional field operative in gubernatorial campaigns. Shuster received his undergraduate degree and J.D. from the Pennsylvania State University.

"It's an honor to work alongside Leslie, and I know that we can achieve great things for the firm's clients on both a state and federal level," said Shuster. "She is a consummate professional who will significantly add to our existing capabilities."

Prior to her work with the Corbett administration, Gromis Baker worked as an independent political consultant. Gromis Baker served as political director of Gov. Tom Ridge's 1994 election campaign and was campaign manager for his 1998 re-election. She also served on Ridge's senior staff as his director of the office of public liaison. Additionally, she was director of the Pennsylvania state campaign for George W. Bush and was mid-Atlantic chair of his 2004 re-election campaign. Gromis Baker is originally from Leesport, Pa. and is a graduate of the University of Maryland.

Gromis Baker will work out of the firm's Pittsburgh office, while Shuster will continue to split his time between the firm's Washington, D.C. and Harrisburg offices.

About the Firm

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC (www.bipc.com) brings true partnership to our clients. We understand the service and partnership attributes our clients most value and have formalized a model for consistently achieving them. The firm has more than 530 attorneys and government relations professionals practicing throughout the United States, with offices in 19 cities in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.