Robert J. Kabel |
Senior Advisor
robert.kabel@bakerd.com
Professional Experience
Bob Kabel represents clients in Washington on legislative and regulatory issues. Internationally, Bob represents clients interested in establishing and expanding their presence in Brazil, Mexico and other countries in Latin America.
In Washington, Bob works primarily with companies in the financial services industry to shape legislation and regulations to meet their specific needs. The companies he represents do not feel they are being adequately served by their trade associations and seek his help to make certain their needs are understood and addressed. Recently, Bob has been actively engaged in the financial services reform legislation that will have a major impact on every aspect of the financial services industry. Having worked with all of the federal financial regulatory agencies during his career, Bob is well positioned to represent clients on the significant number of regulatory projects and studies mandated by this legislation.
Examples where Bob has helped clients achieve their goals include:
- For a coalition of the private equity subsidiaries of major bank holding companies, Bob worked with key leaders in Congress to add provisions to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to give these subsidiaries equal footing in the marketplace with independent private equity firms.
- For a major small business lender, Bob worked with Congress to change existing law to provide for a more favorable secondary market for SBA 7 (A) loans, both the guaranteed and unguaranteed parts, and to fully fund the demand for 7 (A) loans.
- For a major professional appraisal association, Bob developed and executed a strategy to enact legislation to require states to establish more rigorous standards for real estate appraisers.
- For the two state-based insurance guaranty organizations, Bob developed a program to educate members of Congress, Congressional staff and key administration officials and insurance trade associations on how the state-based system works and developed strategies to protect the systems from attacks.
In Brazil, Bob was instrumental in the successful extension of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program for trade with Brazil which permitted American companies to import product duty free from Brazil. Through partnerships with an established network of local professionals, Bob is able to combine his services with media relations and other consulting services for the most impact.
In Mexico, Bob has worked to create corporate health councils to address specific concerns such as chronic diseases.
Prior to private law practice and consulting, Bob spent several years on Capitol Hill. During the Reagan Administration, he served for three years as Special Assistant to President Reagan for Legislative Affairs. In this position, Bob represented the White House before the United States Senate. He also served as Legislative Director for Senator Richard Lugar, as well as Legislative Assistant to Senator Paul Fannin.
Government Service
- White House Office of Legislative Affairs, 1982-85
- Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN)
- Sen. Paul Fannin (R-AZ)
- Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, Part-Time Member, 1988-90
- Presidential Advisory Council on HIV-AIDS, 2006-09
Publications
- "Ethanol Trade: Opportunities and Challenges," Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce – Brazil Business Report, Vol. 42, No. 1
- International Trade Column, Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce – News Bulletin, July/August 2006
Civic Activities
- District of Columbia Republican Committee - Chairman, 2004-present; Vice Chairman, 2001-04
- White House Delegate to 2002 National Savers Summit
Board Memberships
- Denison University - Board of Trustees, 1999-2006
- Vanderbilt University Law School - Alumni Board, 1997-99
- Log Cabin Republicans - Board Chairman, 1994-99
- Liberty Education Forum - Chairman, 1999-2004
Professional Associations
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Republican National Lawyers Association
- Federalist Society