Richard S. Williamson, Partner

Richard Williamson is a partner in the firm’s Chicago office who focuses his practice in federal and state government relations and regulatory affairs, as well as international trade matters.

Mr. Williamson represents corporate clients before the U.S. Congress and federal departments and agencies in legislative and administrative rulemaking and administrative hearings.  His government relations experience also includes the representation of clients before State of Illinois departments and regulatory agencies. In the international trade area, he assists clients in matters before U.S. regulatory agencies as well as regulatory bodies in other countries.

In addition to his private practice, Mr. Williamson has had extensive public service, formerly serving as an ambassador and U.S. representative in several capacities to the United Nations, as an assistant secretary of state for the U.S. Department of State, as assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs in the White House for President Ronald Reagan, and as chairman of the Illinois Republican Party. In January 2008, he was appointed special envoy to Sudan by President George W. Bush.

Honors and Awards

Activities

Mr. Williamson is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Washington, D.C., Bar Association.

Mr. Williamson is active in a wide variety of civic organizations, serving on the board of directors of the International Republican Institute (1990-2001; 2003 to present); the board of the Committee in Support of Russian Civil Society (2004-present); a member of the advisory committee for the International Human Rights Center, DePaul University (1995-2001; 2003 to present); and as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

He also formerly served on the seven-person Panel of Eminent Persons on Strengthening the Effectiveness of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (2005); as co-chairman of Enterprise Works Worldwide (1996-2001); on the board of United Nations Association-USA (1989-2001); on the Administrative Conference of the United States (1989-1992; vice chairman, 1981-1983); on the Board of Advisors, Center for Security Policy (1989-1998); as a public member of the Hudson Institute (1989-2001); with the National Leadership Network, Institute of Contemporary Studies (1989-2001); on President’s General Advisory Committee on Arms Control and Disarmament, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, appointed by President Ronald Reagan (1987-1993); as a senior advisor for independent regulatory agencies, Bush Administration Transition Team (1988-1989); as a senior advisor, National Bush for President Campaign Committee (1987-1988); on the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Commission (1987 and 1989); with the Center for Democracy, Board of Directors, Boston University (1985-1988); on the Committee on Federalism and National Purpose, Carnegie Foundation (1985-1986); as a chief of U.S. delegation, Fourth General Conference of the U.N. Industrial Organization (1984); with the U.S. Delegation to U.S.-U.S.S.R. Bilateral Negotiations on Nuclear Nonproliferation (1983-1984); and on the U.S. Delegation to Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Preparatory Conferences (1984).

In Illinois, he served as chairman of the Illinois Republican Party (1999-2001); on the board of the Chicago Children’s Museum (1999-2001); as a member of Gov.-Elect George Ryan’s Transition Team (1998); as chairman of the Illinois Secretary of State Merit Commission (1993-1999); as a trustee, Kenilworth Union Church (1997-2001); as chairman appointed by Governor Jim Edgar, Illinois Regulatory Relief Task Force (1994-1998); on the Federal Home Loan Bank Board of Chicago, appointed by President George H.W. Bush (1991-1994); and on the Illinois Economic Board, appointed by Governor James Thompson (1987-1988).

Education

Speeches and Publications