Adams and Reese Hires Immediate Past Speaker of Louisiana House of Representatives Chuck Kleckley

    BATON ROUGE, LA, February 19, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The law firm of Adams and Reese is pleased to announce that Charles Edward "Chuck" Kleckley (R-Lake Charles), former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2012 to 2016 and a successful Lake Charles businessman, has joined the firm as a Government Affairs Advisor (non-lawyer). Kleckley will be based out of the Adams and Reese Baton Rouge office and will serve as a leading advisor of the firm's Government Relations Practice Team.

The announcement was made by Adams and Reese Managing Partner Gif Thornton.

"Our firm is known for its strength in government affairs and lobbying on a local, regional and national level," Thornton said. "Adding Chuck Kleckley as a member of our team will further strengthen our government relations practice in Louisiana and across our regional footprint."

Kleckley served as Representative for District 36 in southwestern Calcasieu Parish from 2005 to 2016. A former chairman of the House Insurance Committee, Kleckley was a member of several committees including the House Executive Committee, the Legislative Budgetary Control Committee, the Joint Capital Outlay Committee, the Legislative Audit Advisory Committee and others. Prior to joining the Louisiana Legislature, he presided as president of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury in 2003 and was a member of the Police Jury from 2000 to 2005.

"I am pleased to join a distinguished firm with the reputation and stature of Adams and Reese," Kleckley said following the announcement. "My priority will be exceeding expectations as a trusted government relations advocate that companies, associations and government entities can rely on in this ever-changing economic, business and regulatory environment."

E.L. "Bubba" Henry, also a former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1972 to 1980 and a member of the Adams and Reese Government Relations Team since 1987, said he looks forward to working with Kleckley to strategize clients' goals.

"I am excited to welcome another former Speaker to our firm," Henry said. "Chuck knows and understands the political process, and he knows Louisiana business. I know he will be an incredible asset to Adams and Reese."

Jeffrey Brooks, Adams and Reese Washington D.C. Partner in Charge and a former firm Chairman, added: "We welcome Chuck and the benefit of his noteworthy record of public service to the firm. He has deep first-hand insight into legislative and regulatory processes, and as a successful business-owner, he will provide our clients valuable perspectives from both legislative and industry angles."

In hiring Kleckley, Adams and Reese continues to strengthen its long-standing reputation as a top government relations firm. In 2015 rankings released by Southern Political Report, the firm ranked number one in the states of Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee and among the top five in Mississippi and South Carolina on a list of leading government affairs and lobbyist firms in the South.

A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Kleckley graduated from McNeese State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance. He is a successful self-employed businessman, developer and real estate investor. Kleckley's business and political career has found him championing issues close to his native Calcasieu Parish and all of Louisiana, including education reform, port and transportation regulation, and coastal and environmental advocacy, among many others.

"Chuck is a longtime friend and colleague, and I congratulate him on this move," said current Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives Taylor F. Barras. "Without a doubt, he is effective, knowledgeable and well-versed in the legislative process."

Speaker Philip Gunn of the Mississippi House of Representatives added: "Chuck Kleckley has been an outstanding leader for the State of Louisiana, and he has sacrificially devoted himself to improving the quality of life for all citizens in the state."

"Most importantly, however, Chuck is a man of high character and integrity," Gunn said. "He has the respect of all who know him. From time to time, I have relied upon him for counsel and advice because of the respect and admiration I have for him. He has proven himself to be a great friend to me, and our friendship extends beyond politics."

Kleckley assumes his new role within Adams and Reese effective immediately.

EDITOR'S NOTE:
A high-resolution photo of Charles Edward "Chuck" Kleckley can be downloaded at: http://arwebserver.arlaw.com/hires_headshots/Kleckley-Chuck-hs.jpg

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ABOUT ADAMS AND REESE LLP
Adams and Reese is a multidisciplinary law firm with nearly 300 attorneys and advisors strategically located in 16 offices across 15 markets throughout the southern United States and Washington, D.C. The American Lawyer includes Adams and Reese on its distinguished list of the nation's top law firms - The Am Law 200. The National Law Journal also includes the firm on the NLJ 350 list of the nation's largest law firms.

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