Member of the law firm Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch, LC, serving clients throughout Missouri and nationwide in corporate, litigation, and regulatory matters. My practice focuses on government solutions, real estate development, local government, environmental, state and local tax, administrative law, business litigation, and regulatory compliance.

Chief operating officer engaged with all aspects of state government, including $27B+ state budget and 44,000+ state employees.As Governor’s chief liaison, maintained relationships with thousands of stakeholders including legislators, statewide elected officials, local officials, business leaders, and interest groups. Supervised daily operations of Governor’s office, including legislative and legal affairs, gubernatorial appointments, policy, scheduling, and communications.

Directed the agency-wide review and analysis of pending legislation, engaged with affected stakeholders, and advised the Governor on actions related pending legislation. Advised Governor/staff regarding press releases, statements, remarks, and strategic communication.Identified and vetted candidates for appointment to state boards/commissions, the judiciary, and other public office.Developed and oversaw policy/budgetary initiatives related to economic development, workforce development, education, international trade, tourism, transportation, taxation, insurance, banking, and professional licensing.

Appointed to act as director of cabinet-level agency with 900+ employees and $1B+ annual budget.Directed programs related to business job creation and capital investment, infrastructure development, real estate development, workforce development, community development, and tourism. Executed key economic development priorities and advocated advantages of launching, locating, or expanding business in Missouri. Forged/maintained relationships and spoke in a diverse range of venues to business executives, legislators, education officials, and civic and business organizations to advance Governor’s priorities.Served as member of Missouri Development Finance Board, Missouri Technology Corporation, Missouri Workforce Investment Board, Hawthorn Foundation, Missouri Partnership, among others.Gained unique expertise in state/federal tax credit, incentive, bond, and grant programs, along with local economic development and redevelopment tools.

Appointed chief legal counsel and member of executive management of cabinet-level agency. Responsible for managing all legal operations and supervising all agency attorneys and legal staff. Performed complex legal research, analyzed and prepared formal legal opinions, and provided legal advice on economic development issues.Provided legal guidance to ensure compliance with all state/federal laws affecting agency operations, including contracting and procurement, state and federal audits, open records and subpoenas, and employment law. Developed, drafted, and directed promulgation of administrative rules and departmental policies. Advised media, communications, and PR staff regarding press releases, statements, remarks, and strategic communication. Drafted and reviewed documents related to program administration and agency operations, including applications, guidelines, contracts, loan documents and grant agreements.Served as legal counsel to the Governor’s Tax Credit Review Commission, a gubernatorial-appointed group of legislative, business and community leaders directed to analyze Missouri’s tax credit programs and provide recommendations to improve their effectiveness.Directed outside litigation counsel from the Attorney General’s Office and private attorneys. Represented the department in matters before the Administrative Hearing Commission.

Performed complex legal research, analyzed and prepared formal legal opinions, and provided legal advice on environmental law, employment law, government contracting, federal grants, and open records law. Appointed by the Governor as Trustee for the Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund (PSTIF), one of the largest insurers of underground and above-ground storage tank liability in the country.

Served as a registered lobbyist monitoring and promoting passage of legislation related to sales tax, corporate income tax, personal income tax, driver licensing, and vehicle registration. Regularly testified before legislative committees and advocated to legislators and other stakeholders regarding legislation and policy. Spearheaded passage of landmark reform of license office bidding process.Represented the department as lead attorney in matters involving state taxation and driver licensing in state court and before the Administrative Hearing Commission.

Represented clients in complex litigation in state and federal court in environmental, toxic tort, product liability, real estate, and appellate practice areas. Participated in the defense of corporate clients in all phases of litigation.Drafted appellate briefs and argued before U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Performed complex legal research, drafted formal legal opinions and provide legal advice on environmental aspects of mergers and acquisitions.

Law clerk to Senior Circuit Judge of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, sitting by special designation with the First, Second, Third, Sixth, Ninth and Eleventh Circuits.

Law clerk during law school. Judge White is now U.S. District Court Judge, Eastern District of Missouri