Director; Chair Of Firm'S Government Relations Practice
CurrentSteve Tugend serves as the Chair of the firm’s government and legislative affairs practice group where he zealously lobbies at the federal state and local level for his clients. He recently served a six-year tenure as vice president of government relations for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce where he was the voice of the business community in public policy matters. Through his service there, he cultivated a substantial network of public and private sector relationships that he brought with him when joining Kegler Brown in 2011.Government AffairsTugend is a 20-year veteran of legal, legislative and political matters. He has been an advocate for his community by taking a team of community leaders to advocate the expansion of a military base which ultimately grew by more than 1,000 jobs. He has served as a part of a campaign team that secured voter approval for a transit tax levy.He has been an advocate for business by breaking down barriers to doing business with government and stopping legislation that would have made the state a less friendly place to do business. Tugend has also secured funding for business initiatives.On the political front, Tugend is no novice. He has managed a candidate’s statewide race, founded a corporate political action committee and afforded political advice to both Republican and Democratic officials.Administrative LawTugend is familiar with regulatory processes. He has negotiated with regulators in numerous states, has stopped harmful regulations from taking effect, and has worked as a regulator.
