Philip Recht, Deputy Administrator of the NHTSA, Joins Mayer, Brown & Platt
6 April 1999
Philip Recht, Deputy Administrator of the NHTSA, Joins Mayer, Brown & Platt
LOS ANGELES--April 6, 1999--Effective Officials in Government"
The national law firm of Mayer, Brown & Platt today announced that Philip R. Recht, Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will join the firm's Los Angeles office as founding partner and Chair of its Government Practice group.
"Mayer, Brown & Platt was the perfect choice for me since the firm is committed to establishing superior government relations practices in its offices," explained Mr. Recht. "The challenge of creating the practice in the LA office and doing it with the help and guidance Mickey Kantor, my former partner, friend and mentor is extremely exciting and appealing. While I will forever treasure the opportunity I had to serve my country, I am looking forward to returning to private practice."
Mr. Kantor, who practices in the firm's DC office, said of Mr. Recht, "In my view, there was no more effective high-level official in the Clinton Administration than Phil. His transportation and regulatory expertise will be of tremendous value to our clients, and I am eagerly looking forward to practicing with him again."
Lou Eatman, Managing Partner of Mayer Brown's LA Office, believes the addition of Mr. Recht to the office further demonstrates the firm's commitment to continually expand and enhance its thriving Government Relations practice in order to benefit its existing regional and national clients. "Phil brings to the table an enormous amount of experience and leadership skills, which he clearly demonstrated while serving the Clinton Administration as a top official at the NHTSA," Eatman said.
Phil Recht was appointed Deputy Administrator of NHTSA in April 1995. He served as Chief Counsel of the agency from October 1994 until then. During his tenure, highway safety issues gained unprecedented national visibility, the overall fatality rate and the alcohol-related fatality rate reached all time lows and seat belt use reached an all-time high. He also played a critical role in major issues and initiatives, including the issuance of new federal safety standards mandating safer vehicle air bags and uniform attachment systems for child safety seats.
Mayer, Brown & Platt has been providing authoritative legal services to individuals and businesses for more than a century.