Lee Forsgren, formerly of O'Connor & Hannan LLP, provides legal and policy guidance in the areas of transportation, natural resources and environmental policy, and federal appropriations. Mr. Forsgren assists Fortune 50 corporations, industry associations, and tribal organizations in their relations with Congress, the Executive Branch, and various state governments.
Mr. Forsgren has a demonstrated ability to develop policy strategies that are successful through every step of the lawmaking process. He works skillfully on both sides of the aisle, promoting or blocking specific legislation.
Mr. Forsgren's ability to consistently promote his clients' interests stems from a rich history of public sector service. He has served as Assistant Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, majority counsel for the Water Resources Subcommittee of the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, a staffer to the House Committee on Natural Resources, counsel to the Subcommittee on Lands and Forestry, assistant to Congressman Don Young of Alaska and staff assistant to Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. In 2000, Mr. Forsgren served on the Bush-Cheney transition team responsible for Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency issues.
Representative Work
Successfully advocated for an appropriations increase for a Federal Academy over the course of seven years. Appropriations nearly doubled from $31 million to an average of over $61 million annually in each of the seven years.
Successfully advocated for authorization and appropriations for a major Presidential initiative called the "Vision for Space Exploration", while serving as a Presidential Appointee at NASA charged with serving as the Congressional and intergovernmental liaison.
Successfully represented a coalition of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle manufacturers on a major initiative with the Congress and Federal Aviation Administration. Successfully lobbied and arranged for Congressional hearings on unmanned aerial vehicles and for the inclusion of the coalition's legislative priorities in the major reauthorization for the FAA.
Successfully represented the interests of an Indian Tribe that is a major player in the Everglades restoration. Successfully addressed opposition from federal, state, environmental and agricultural groups The state legislature enacted several statutes reflecting the Tribe's policy positions.
Successfully represented a Fortune 50 company in an environmental restoration dispute. Settlement included a restoration plan that saved the client hundreds of millions of dollars.