Technology and Communications Strategist Michael Drobac Joins Patton Boggs LLP As Senior Policy Advisor

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Internet industry advocate and policy strategist Michael Drobac has joined the law firm of Patton Boggs LLP. Resident in the firm's Washington DC office, Mr. Drobac joins Patton Boggs as a senior policy advisor to clients of the firm's Technology and Communications (Techcomm) practice.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100701/PH30116LOGO-b )

Mr. Drobac brings exceptional experience and insight to the Patton Boggs team. He has a keen understanding of the key public policy issues facing the global Internet and e-commerce industries.  He also understands how the Internet economy impacts more traditional industries. At Patton Boggs, he will help clients understand these issues, define policy objectives, execute outreach strategies, advocate before Congress and federal agencies, and build coalitions and consensus.

"Michael Drobac is a critical addition to our growing team," noted Jennifer Richter, co-chair of Patton Boggs' Techcomm practice. "His experience leading legislative efforts for some of the most important and innovative Internet and technology companies, combined with his insights on policy and legislative process acquired during his years on Capitol Hill, will be invaluable to our clients, our practice and Patton Boggs."

Prior to joining Patton Boggs, Mr. Drobac was director, government relations at Netflix, Inc., where he established and served as the first director of the company's Washington DC office, developing and working on state, federal, and international policy goals for Netflix. He also advocated before Congress and other federal agencies in support of Netflix policy objectives including net neutrality, interconnection access, privacy, accessibility rules, taxation and copyright issues. Mr. Drobac also represented Netflix in market expansion in Canada and Latin America. 

Mr. Drobac also served as vice president, government affairs of the Online Publishers Association (OPA), again establishing and heading that organization's Washington DC office and policy agenda. As director, government affairs for IAC/InterActiveCorp, Mr. Drobac worked with executive management on developing policy priorities and a government relations plan.

Mr. Drobac brings nearly 10 years of experience in legislative affairs on Capitol Hill, acquired during periods of service to the offices of three United States senators. For Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Mr. Drobac reviewed all legislative items for the senator, with a primary focus on telecommunications and technology, serving as lead policy advisor on Internet and technology issues for the Senate Commerce Committee.

Mr. Drobac holds an LL.M. from the London School of Economics and a J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law. He earned his M.A. and B.A. from Stanford University.

About Patton Boggs LLP

Patton Boggs is a leader in public policy, litigation and business law, and is well known for its deep bipartisan roots in the U.S. political arena. Patton Boggs is widely recognized as having the leading public policy and lobbying practice in the United States.

With offices in Washington DC, New York, New Jersey, Dallas, Denver and Anchorage, and internationally in Doha, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, more than 550 lawyers and professionals provide comprehensive, practical and cost-effective legal counsel to clients around the globe. For more information about the firm or its attorneys, visit www.pattonboggs.com.

SOURCE Patton Boggs LLP