James Grace Jr. joins the Houston office of the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP as a shareholder in its Government Law & Policy Practice. Prior to joining the firm, Grace chaired the Texas government relations practice at Baker Botts L.L.P.

Grace advises and advocates for a wide variety of clients on federal, state and local public policy matters. His deep knowledge of and experience with governments and political campaigns at all levels allow him to assist with complex government relations problems.

“We are thrilled to have such a seasoned and well-respected lobbyist and government relations attorney as Jim Grace joins us at Greenberg Traurig Texas,” said Douglas C. Atnipp, Greenberg Traurig co-regional operating shareholder for Texas and Houston co-managing shareholder. “Jim is an outstanding addition to our Texas government relations practice, already one of the most robust and highly regarded in Texas.”

“We are very pleased that Jim has chosen to join our Government Law and Policy group in Texas,” said Thomas J. Bond, co-chair of the firm’s Government Law & Policy Practice. “Jim is both a seasoned and accomplished professional and a very high quality person. We look forward to working with Jim, and know he will make valuable contributions to the Government Law and Policy Practice.”

“Jim Grace is a very knowledgeable and capable lawyer who understands how to appropriately counsel and provide advocacy for clients on legal and public policy matters,” commented Demetrius G. McDaniel, chair of the firm’s Texas Government Law & Policy Practice. “His sound judgment and commitment to extraordinary client service make him an excellent addition to Greenberg Traurig and all of us are delighted to have him join us.”

Grace previously served for two years as chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Government Relations Advisory Committee. Grace is a Lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve and served a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan in 2011-12. He previously served as director of Texas state relations and senior counsel at CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Grace is a fellow of the Houston Bar Foundation and the Center for Public Dispute Resolution at The University of Texas School of Law, a former chairman of the Houston Law Review Alumni Association and a former director of the Texas Lyceum.

Grace earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center, and a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

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