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clwilliams@becker-poliakoff.com
Professional Experience
Clarence Williams is a lobbyist in the firm’s Government Law & Lobbying Practice Group in Washington, D.C. A former Chief of Staff for Congressman Kendrick B. Meek of Florida, he served as the Congressman’s chief policy advisor and strategist on all issues before the U.S. House of Representatives. He directly managed the Congressman’s portfolio of issues relating to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Budget.
On Capitol Hill, Clarence specialized in issues involving health care, armed services, taxation, alternative energy, local government issues, and domestic and international trade. He is uniquely qualified in issues relating to health care reform, having logged well over 100 hours in briefings, consultation, and collaboration on legislative language with Ways and Means and House leadership staff on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Additionally, he was actively involved in the passage of several pieces of tax policy, including a delay of a 3% tax withholding requirement for most procurement by local governments. Clarence holds a “Top Secret” security clearance and has extensive experience working with the Department of Defense on issues ranging from policy and procurement to logistical planning in the aftermath of various natural disasters including Haiti.
As primary liaison for Mr. Meek to appropriations staff, Clarence shepherded nearly $53 million directly to South Florida local governments, nearly $20 million to educational entities, and over $13 million to South Florida hospitals and community centers. As well, he negotiated with Heath and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to advance payments totaling $12 million to Jackson Health Systems to help avoid shut down of this important institution.
Clarence also has extensive state government experience in Tallahassee working in the Florida Legislature. He served as a senior policy advisor to Florida Senate Minority Leaders Ken Jenne, John H “Buddy” Dyer, and Tom Rossin, for whom he served as the primary policy writer and strategist on issues relating K-12 education, commerce, tax, and local government. He secured numerous legislative victories despite operating in the minority, including passage of Class Size Reduction, 2000 comprehensive school safety legislation, and the 1997 school construction legislation which generated nearly $2 billion for Florida public schools.
Education
Florida State University, (B.A., Political Science).
* not a member of the Florida Bar |
