Covington Boosts European Public Policy Team with Ambassador Kovanda

Covington Boosts European Public Policy Team with Ambassador Kovanda

September 14, 2015

BRUSSELS, September 14, 2015 — Ambassador Karel Kovanda has joined Covington’s global public policy and government affairs practice as a Senior European Policy Advisor. He will be based in the firm’s Brussels office.

Ambassador Kovanda served as Deputy Director General of External Relations (now the European External Action Service) at the European Commission between 2005 and 2010. He also was the Czech Republic Ambassador to NATO from 1998 to 2005 and Czech Deputy Foreign Minister from 1997 to 1998.

The largest public policy and government affairs group of any law firm in the EU, Covington’s European Public Policy and Government Affairs Group includes a range of former policymakers:

• Wim van Velzen, a former leading member of the European Parliament and former vice president of the European People’s Party (EPP)
• Ambassador Jean De Ruyt, one of the most experienced diplomats in Europe, who was most recently the Permanent Representative of Belgium to the European Union
• Paul Adamson, a renowned pioneer and leader in European public affairs
• Stuart E. Eizenstat, former U.S. Ambassador to the EU

“Covington is committed to continue to strengthen our leading public policy practice around the world, and the EU is a very important region for our firm and our clients,” said Dan Bryant, partner and chair of Covington’s global Public Policy and Government Affairs Practice Group. “Covington’s substantive areas of practice, combined with its experience with and understanding of the policymaking process, are what distinguishes the firm globally, and we are thrilled with the Ambassador’s decision to join our team in Brussels.”

Sebastian Vos, partner and head of Covington’s European Public Policy and Government Affairs Practice, commented: “The arrival of Ambassador Kovanda further strengthens our ability to advise clients on the EU’s fast-changing regulatory landscape. His deep and strong understanding of the policymaking and political environments will benefit our clients whose businesses intersect with governments across Europe.”

Ambassador Karel Kovanda commented: “Having witnessed firsthand the daily challenges of both policymakers and businesses grappling with the maze of regulation around the world, I am excited to join Covington and its well-respected global team.”