Christopher Staszak joined Bracewell & Giuliani LLP after gaining a broad range of experience as both an attorney and strategic communications professional. Immediately prior to joining the firm, Mr. Staszak served as an assistant counsel to the Governor of New York, where he was a member of the team that provided legal advice to Governor Pataki. He also gained extensive experience in all aspects of federal civil and criminal litigation while serving as a law clerk to a United States District Court judge. In that capacity, Mr. Staszak worked on cases involving copyright infringement, employment discrimination, business disputes and a wide variety of federal crimes. Mr. Staszak's experience also demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the critical role a strategic communications plan plays in any major legislative, business or public policy initiative. He operated in the largest media market in the world while working in Manhattan as a spokesman for United States Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato. On Capitol Hill, Mr. Staszak served as press secretary of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, as well as a deputy press secretary in Senator D'Amato's Washington, D.C. office. In addition to his extensive work in the government, he is an experienced corporate communications professional, having served as the vice president of corporate communications for Cantor Fitzgerald LP, the global financial services firm. While with Cantor, Mr. Staszak managed the media campaign surrounding the initial public offering of eSpeed Inc., and oversaw all media relations and communications for both Cantor Fitzgerald and eSpeed in North America, Europe and Asia. This included acting as the company spokesman to the media on such matters as litigation, strategic business partnerships and acquisitions.