Chief of Staff for US Speaker of the House to Join K&L Gates' Public Policy and Law Practice

Washington, DC – Global law firm K&L Gates LLP will welcome Hayden Haynes, a senior government strategist who currently serves as Chief of Staff to US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, to the firm. Haynes will join the Public Policy and Law practice on June 15 as a government affairs counselor in its Washington, DC office.

In his role as Chief of Staff, Haynes has served as the Speaker’s principal advisor and senior manager during Speaker Johnson’s entire tenure, leading all strategic, legislative, communications, and administrative functions of the Speaker’s Office. He has overseen a team of more than 100 staff across leadership, district, and political operations and has coordinated closely with Congressional leadership, committee chairs, and the Executive Branch from the current and previous administration to advance key legislative priorities.

Haynes has extensive experience navigating high-stakes legislative negotiations and crisis situations, representing the Speaker in complex policy discussions and coordinating with national and international leaders, including heads of G7 parliaments and multiple US presidential administrations, on initiatives addressing global and domestic challenges.

“From my first campaign to the Speaker’s Office, Hayden has been with us every step of the journey,” said US House Speaker Mike Johnson. “He is an extraordinary leader, an exceptionally talented political and policy strategist, and is widely respected on the Hill by both Members and staff. While we are sad for his departure, we’re also excited for his future as he and his family move into the next stage of his career. He will remain like family to us as well.”

Throughout his career, Haynes has contributed to the passage of major legislation across administrations, including foreign aid packages for Ukraine and Israel and the Working Families Tax Cuts. Prior to his tenure in House leadership, he served in senior roles advising Member offices, directing legislative strategy, and managing political operations.

Karishma Shah Page, a leader of K&L Gates’ global Public Policy and Law practice, stated: “Hayden brings an exceptional depth of experience at the highest levels of government, with a firsthand understanding of how policy is developed, negotiated, and implemented. He has operated at the center of complex legislative and political dynamics, and his strategic insight and relationships will further strengthen our ability to help clients navigate an increasingly complex and fast-moving policy environment.”

Haynes’ arrival builds on the continued growth of the firm’s Public Policy and Law practice, including the recent addition of government affairs advisor Dr. Alexis Gutierrez in Washington DC, partner Kate Goodrich in Austin, and of counsel Varun Jain in Washington, DC.

“Hayden’s experience advising House leadership and managing high-stakes legislative priorities will be a tremendous asset to our clients,” said David Wochner, managing partner of the Washington, DC office. “His ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and deliver results in challenging circumstances enhances our team’s ability to support clients facing evolving regulatory and public policy issues.”

With a significant team of bipartisan lawyers and policy professionals who have more than 500 years of combined government experience, members of K&L Gates’ Public Policy and Law practice work with clients through the entire policy life cycle—from legislation to regulation and Congressional investigations and agency enforcement actions. The group is one of the largest public policy practices of any global integrated law firm.