Bob EhrlichThe Honorable Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. is senior counsel in the Government Advocacy and Public Policy Practice Group at King & Spalding. He advises clients on a broad spectrum of policy matters and their interactions with the federal government. Havingserved as governor, U.S. congressman, state legislator, and civil litigator, he counsels clients on government matters, with particular expertise in health care, finance and economic development. As Maryland's first Republican governor in 36 years when elected in 2002, he improved Maryland's fiscal condition by turning $4 billion in inherited budget deficits into $2.3 billion in surpluses. His pro growth economic policies helped create 100,000 new private sector jobs. He is an advocate for Maryland's world renowned technology economy, enacting policies that positioned Maryland as a national leader in education, biotechnology, health care, and minority business advancement. He made record investments in public schools and authored Maryland's first public charter schools law, enabling more than 7,000 students to attend 30 new public charter schools. He doubled funding for need-based college scholarships, helping college enrollment reach an all-time high. Governor Ehrlich earned national commendation for empowering individuals with disabilities. He created the nation's first cabinet-level department of disabilities, for which he earned the "Highest Recognition Award" from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, among other awards.
Prior to serving as governor, Congressman Ehrlich won four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. In Congress, he served as a member of the House majority whip team, wherein he helped pass comprehensive tax relief, greater access to health care, federal education reform, and the first balanced budget in a generation. Read More Read Less