James W. Symington

Jim Symington, formerly of O'Connor & Hannan, specializes in federal legislative and administrative representation. His clients include corporations, groups and individuals with commercial, ethical or politically delicate matters involving the federal government.

Mr. Symington's effective representation is a result of a long and distinguished career in public service. He served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977, serving on several key committees. Mr. Symington has also served at the pleasure of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson in several different White House positions. He remains very involved in prominent Washington D.C. political circles, facilitating his clients' access to key elected and appointed officials.

Mr. Symington is author of The Stately Game, a treatise on protocol and its applications, and A Muse ‘N Washington: Beltway Ballads and Beyond, a collection of reminiscences in verse and prose. Mr. Symington also lectures and writes on government and related issues.

Representative Work

Lockheed Martin. Provided decades of representation on a range of issues, including government contracting and procurement as well as internal governance matters.

Kurdish Americans. Provided representation in discussions with the office of the Secretary of Defense to advance issues of Kurdish self government in Northern Iraq.

Terrorism Litigation. Secured House and Senate leadership intercession with Israeli authorities on behalf of an American citizen who was a victim of terrorist acts by Hezbollah in Lebanon. In 2003, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia held Iran responsible and awarded the plaintiff compensatory and punitive damages. The Israeli Supreme Court is reviewing the plaintiff's request to ‘domesticate' the Court's decision in Israel.

Bulgaria. Represented Bulgaria's Finance Minister in discussions with House and Senate leaders concerning: the rescheduling of Iraq's debt to Bulgaria; Bulgaria's interest in joining the European Union and NATO; and the release of Bulgarian nurses held – and subsequently released – in Libya on charges of mistreatment of patients.

Member of Congress (2nd District, Missouri). Served four consecutive terms, from 1969-1977. Chaired both: the Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications, Research and Technology, and International Affairs and; the Democratic Study Group Task Force on Foreign Policy. Co-chaired the Democratic Study Group Task Force on Energy. Served as a member of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce and Subcommittee on Public Health and Environment.

U.S. Chief of Protocol. Appointed by President Lyndon Johnson. Served in the White House from 1966-1968.

President's Committee on Juvenile Delinquency and Youth Crime. Served as the Executive Director from 1965 to 1966.

Administrative Assistant to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, U.S. Department of Justice. Appointed by Robert Kennedy, served from 1962-1963.
The White House Food For Peace Program. Appointed by President Kennedy, served from 1961 to 1962.

U.S. Embassy, London. Served as Attaché from 1958 to 1960.