Background
Michael Levy works on matters involving the executive and legislative branches of the federal government. He also served as a Distinguished Teaching Professor at the Georgetown University School of Business for more than a decade. Michael’s practice focuses on financial services, health care, taxes and trade.
Previously, Michael was the assistant secretary of legislative affairs for the U.S. Department of the Treasury and senior advisor to Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin. Responsible for passing the Treasury’s legislative agenda into law, he coordinated the activities of the Treasury’s legislative affairs staff and the staffs of the Internal Revenue Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Financial Management Service; the U.S. Mint; Bureau of Engraving and Printing; Secret Service; Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; and Office of Thrift Supervision. Michael also coordinated the Treasury’s legislative agenda with the Office of Legislative Affairs at the White House.
From 1987 to 1993, Michael served as chief of staff to former U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen. He worked as a staff economist at the Joint Economic Committee from 1985 to 1987. From 1978 to 1985, Michael was an Associate Professor at Texas AM University. He was granted tenure in 1984, teaching courses in political science, public policy and political theory.
For more than a decade, Michael served on the board of Panim: Washington Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values, and continues to serve as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad. He was appointed by President Clinton and re-appointed by President Bush.
Representative Matters
- Lobbied Congress and the White House to defeat a proposed rule from the Department of Labor, which would impose significant changes to our client’s business model. We built significant policymaker opposition and the White House removed the rule from consideration.
- Successfully lobbied the Securities and Exchange Commission to carve out and improve money market rules proposed by the Chair of the SEC, and supported by the Administration.
- Successfully lobbied the NY Governors Office and state legislature to defeat a proposed budget measure that called for the revocation of a foreign tax credit treaty exemption. The measure would have raised billions by imposing a double tax on global companies paying taxation abroad with countries under an existing treaty.
- Assisted titanium industry in negotiating new terms for governing the military’s purchase of specialty metals.
- Prevented the expansion of foreign trade that created a competitive advantage for a rival metals producer.
- Worked with an aluminum company to defeat unfair state utility legislation.
Insights & Publications
Insights & Publications
Credentials
Education
- Ph.D., 1979, Rutgers University
- B.A., 1969, Brown University
Memberships
Board Member, Panim: Washington Institute for Jewish Leadership Values
Commissioner, U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad
Community Involvement
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Board Member, Solomon Project
Council Member, Dean’s Advisory Group, Rutgers University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Recognition
AWARDS
Distinguished Teaching Award, Georgetown University MBA Program, 1997