James D. Barnette

Partner

• jbarnette@steptoe.com
• vCard
• Washington Office

James D. Barnette is a partner in the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he is a member of the Government Affairs and Public Policy practice.

He focuses his practice on energy, telecommunications, healthcare, and environmental law.

As General Counsel for the US House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce serving under Chairmen Joe Barton (R-TX), Billy Tauzin (R-LA), and Tom Bliley (R-VA), he helped enact over 100 laws, including the landmark Medicare Modernization Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and legislation in areas as diverse as bioterrorism preparedness, energy, telecommunications reform, consumer protection, and e-commerce. 

On Capitol Hill he served in the following roles:

• Principal advocate for the Committee’s position with the Senate, House leadership, House Parliamentarian and other House Committees (including Appropriations, Armed Services, Budget, Judiciary, and Ways and Means).
• Led the Committee’s oversight and investigation of sport utility vehicle rollovers, accounting improprieties in the energy sector, and the California energy crisis.
• Lead counsel on environmental matters, including CERCLA ("Superfund"), brownfields, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Federal facility environmental issues.

Mr. Barnette previously practiced in the government affairs and environmental areas at other Washington-based firms.

He also served as a legislative assistant to Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) from 1985-1987, where he worked on the 1986 reauthorization of Superfund and a range of other issues.

Noteworthy

• Served as General Counsel, counsel, and Deputy Staff Director, US House Committee on Energy and Commerce, 1995-2005
• Legislative Assistant to US Senator Arlen Specter, 1985-1987

Representative Matters

• Helping trade associations with interests in energy, Internet policy, financial services, and healthcare, including Medicare and Medicaid
• Assisting domestic and international clients that are the subject of formal Congressional and Executive Branch investigations
• Assisting an international pharmaceutical firm seeking policy relief under trade and patent law
• Forming a major new alliance of telecommunications providers whose businesses largely depend on the outcome of legislation pending on Capitol Hill
• Providing legislative counsel and advocacy for a disease community that resulted in the enactment of a $1 billion authorization bill in the 109th Congress
• Representing a start-up biotech company in navigating Washington to ensure adequate attention to its groundbreaking product

News

• Steptoe Adds Legal and Government Relations Talent

Publications

• Atlantic Research: Good Decision, Bad Outcome, and Ugly Results
  November 2007, BNA Environment Reporter
• US Import Safety Advisory
  August 29, 2007