Paul Kavinoky

Mr. Kavinoky offers Sonnenschein clients significant insight on Capitol Hill issues and processes. He specializes in federal and state legislative, regulatory, and public policy advocacy on behalf of tribal, corporate, trade association, nonprofit, and local government clients. His work before Congress and Executive Branch agencies is focused on tribal issues, appropriations, natural resources, energy, agriculture, defense, tax, financial services, education, health care, commerce, transportation, and homeland security policy. Prior to joining Sonnenschein, Mr. Kavinoky served for nearly nine years as a senior legislative aide to former House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA) and Representative George R. Nethercutt, Jr. (R-WA). While on Capitol Hill, Mr. Kavinoky also worked closely on legislation with members of the House Republican Leadership, Committee Chairmen and their staff, including the House Appropriations Committee where he was primarily responsible for matters before the Interior Subcommittee which includes many tribal programs. He also worked closely with the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, Resources, and Agriculture Committees. Since joining Sonnenschein’s Public Law & Policy Strategies Group as a Managing Director, Mr. Kavinoky has been instrumental in developing innovative strategies for a unique range of tribal clients. These strategies include traditional advocacy work such as the successful passage of a major water settlement bill out of the House of Representatives for a Northwest tribe as well as tribal gaming and pension issues for several California clients. He has also worked with several clients on cutting-edge, specifically tailored strategies for success in the regulatory and public policy area. This was particularly evident in his work with the Firm’s environmental team on a complex project involving Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Mr. Kavinoky is an instrumental team member in several key collaborative public policy initiatives with Sonnenschein’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring practice.