McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP (MLA) today announced that Craig M. Johnson, former New York State Senator, has joined its national Government Affairs practice as Managing Director effective May 20, 2013. He will operate out of the firm’s New York, New York and Albany, New York offices.
Johnson will work on national, federal, state and local public policy and government relations, focusing in such industries as education and charter schools, health care and insurance. Additionally, he will support MLA’s Municipal Reform and Innovation practice.
Johnson served as a member of the New York State Senate from 2007 through 2010, representing the 7th Senate District (Northwest Nassau County). When he was elected to the State Senate in a February 2007 special election, Senator Johnson became the first Democrat to represent that area in more than a century.
During his tenure in the New York legislature, Johnson held such prestigious leadership roles as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations; the Ranking Member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee; Member, on the Education, Health, Local Government, Insurance and Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committees.
“We’re excited to have Craig join the firm,” said Gordon Giffin, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada who oversees the New York practice. “Craig brings extraordinary government, legal and public policy experience that will be invaluable to our New York and national practices.”
Johnson joins MLA from Bloomberg Law, a division of Bloomberg LP. Most recently, he was responsible for the development of integrated market strategies for key segments of the American legal market and had previously spearheaded the creation of Bloomberg Law’s business development platform.
“I’m thrilled to join MLA’s New York team, especially at such an exciting time of growth for the firm. MLA is an outstanding firm with amazing talent and a reputation for excellence in public policy,” said Craig Johnson. “I want to thank my friends at Bloomberg and Bloomberg Law for an incredible experience.”
Johnson’s previous positions include serving as Chairman of the Nassau County Legislature, where he was a member for nearly seven years. As chairman of the Finance Committee, Johnson was responsible for oversight and legislative implementation of the County’s $2.2 Billion budget. He was part of the team that brought Nassau County’s finances back from the verge of municipal bankruptcy.
Prior to entering public service, Johnson spent 15 years in private legal practice focusing on bankruptcy and business reorganization.
