Taft Law is pleased to announce that Cory C. Horton has joined the firm as vice president in the Public Affairs Strategies Group (PASG). Horton has in-depth knowledge of legislative and public affairs processes and will assist clients in both the public and private sectors.

The addition of Horton brings significant experience to Taft’s diverse and bipartisan public affairs group and expands the firm’s Washington, DC practice. In February 2021, Taft announced that 11 attorneys, lobbyists, and/or support professionals joined the firm en masse to launch PASG, which was followed by integrating the existing Taft government affairs attorneys and lobbyists into PASG’s client service. In total, 16 attorneys, lobbyists, and/or support professionals comprise this team as the result of an ongoing aggressive recruiting strategy. Since 2017, Taft has grown from approximately 400 attorneys to 625 today.

Prior to joining Taft, Horton was director of federal governmental affairs for a Fortune 500 integrated energy company. In this role, he led policy development and advocacy before the White House, U.S. Congress, and federal governmental agencies. He also managed engagement with House Democrats and represented the firm as their primary liaison to several trade associations and congressional committees.

Earlier in his career, Horton served concurrently in the office of Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) and on the Committee on Homeland Security. He assisted local officials in securing funding for a wide variety of state, county, and city infrastructure projects, as well as for non-profit community organizations, and institutions of higher learning. Additionally, he served as the lead staff negotiator for the Congressional Black Caucus’ taskforce on Energy, Environment, and Agriculture during deliberation of The Agriculture Act of 2014. As a result, the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research Center was formed at Alcorn State University and currently stands as the only federally funded entity solely devoted to developing policy that protects and promotes the interest of minorities, women, and veterans in agriculture.

“Cory’s government affairs experience at a Fortune 500 company, decade-long service on Capitol Hill, and his grassroots work in local communities will be valuable to Taft clients,” said Clayton Heil, partner in Taft’s Washington, DC office. “We are excited to welcome someone with his knowledge and experience to our growing public affairs strategies group as another example of our strategic recruitment initiative to continue expanding our bipartisan and diverse team.”

Taft’s federal practice involves developing impactful strategies and advocating for its clients before the U.S. Congress, the White House, and executive branch agencies. The firm continues to be strategic in its growth to expand its public affairs advisory work in the government contracting area, housing, and urban development matters, as well as the energy, environmental, defense, homeland security, IT and data privacy, and health care industries.