Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies Continues Practice Expansion with the Addition of Lobbyist Tristan R. Breaux

Washington, D.C. – February 4, 2021 – Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies is pleased to announce Tristan R. Breaux, former legislative director for Representative Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.), will be joining the Washington, D.C., office as a principal. In his new role, he will assist clients with strategies to address federal, state, and local housing, transportation, and education policy with a strong focus on the state of Virginia and the District of Columbia. Breaux’s experience with the Tri-Caucus in Congress (Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus) will allow him to assist the firm’s clients to address policy areas that come before these sectors of Congress.

Breaux brings over a decade of experience to the practice, having served as a senior staffer to a member on the Veterans Affairs and Natural Resources Committees. His extensive relationships across several key congressional committees including Education, Oversight and Reform, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs, as well as his dedication to advocacy and organizational work with the NAACP and the Congressional Caucus on Black Men and Boys is a significant addition to Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ nationally recognized and rapidly expanding group. Prior to serving with Rep. Cunningham, Breaux served in various local and state roles in the commonwealth of Virginia, including six years as the district director for Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, and he served as a liaison to District of Columbia government, state of Maryland, and the commonwealth of Virginia on several issues. He also worked for House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt of South Carolina.

“Building relationships is such an integral part of the Public Strategies practice. Having someone like Tristan, who has an extensive background in building coalitions and navigating throughout a broad network of congressional committees, is a welcome addition to the team,” said Howard Schweitzer, CEO of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies. “Having someone with an understanding of the complex policy advocacy required, especially in light of a new administration, is an invaluable asset for Cozen O’Connor.”

As vice president of policy and advocacy for the National Housing Conference, Breaux successfully represented the nonprofit agency on policy issues around affordable housing. He showed a tremendous ability to build coalitions and establish effective communication with congressional and government administration staff while researching and disseminating relevant public policy and legislative and regulatory activity.

While serving as legislative director for U.S. House of Representative Rep. Joe Cunningham, he interacted and lobbied for veterans’ rights during the challenging and unprecedented time of the COVID-19 crisis. His enthusiasm, commitment, and untiring efforts in policy analysis, coalition building, and ability to organize on a grassroots level, particularly for the traditionally underserved communities, has proved invaluable. His efforts to create networks and assume leadership positions were reflected in the grassroots campaign to increase minority voter turnout as well as registration with the U.S. Census.

“I look forward to working with Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies clients on various issues that will arise in the new Congress and the Biden administration, as well as on the state and local levels in the District of Columbia and Virginia,” Breaux said.

The addition of Breaux to the Public Strategies group continues the recent growth of Cozen O’Connor’s Washington, D.C., office. New hires to the Washington, D.C., office include veteran litigator Kurt E. Lindquist, Jeffrey T. Gendzwill and Keith D. Fredlake to the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice, and John D. Shire to the Health Care Practice. The firm has been focused on expanding the Washington, D.C. office in recent years, growing from 12 attorneys in 2010 to nearly 80 attorneys and government relations professionals today.

Breaux earned his B.A. in Political Science from Norfolk State University, and his M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration from Liberty University.

Share

Share this...

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Linkedin