McNair Government Affairs Group Expands

COLUMBIA, SC – January 8, 2008 – The Government Affairs Group of McNair Law Firm has expanded. Bill Youngblood, Managing Shareholder/CEO of McNair Law Firm, announced today that Shannon Bruning and Ben Homeyer have joined the government relations arm of McNair Law Firm as Professional Consultants.

Bruning rejoins McNair as a Legislative Consultant after serving as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Convenience Store Association where she also served as that industry association’s chief lobbyist and administrator.  Additionally, she has several years experience in representing the South Carolina Retail Association as its chief lobbyist in the state.  Bruning previously had been associated with the public relations government affairs office of Fred Allen and Associates, where she provided legislative assistance.  Bruning also formerly served as the Assistant to the Director and Legislative Liaison for the South Carolina Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole Services where she was the liaison between the Office of the Governor and the South Carolina General Assembly.  A member of the Miss South Carolina Foundation Board and Go Red for Women (American Heart Association) she is also a Legislative Education Director for South Carolina Palmetto Girls State.

Homeyer, who for the past five years has been the Director of Legislation for the South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee, has joined McNair also as a Legislative Consultant.  During his tenure with the Ways and Means Committee he coordinated over 400 pieces of legislation per session, directed the appropriation of approximately $700 Million in state funds and was instrumental in crafting legislation impacting property tax reform, Medicaid reform, K-5 curriculum reform and statewide restructuring programs.  Homeyer served as the longest tenured member of the statewide Information Technology Architecture Oversight Committee which set statewide policy.

Bill Youngblood stated that in these difficult times of fiscal and economic uncertainty with tax issues front and center with the South Carolina General Assembly, the addition of Shannon Bruning and Ben Homeyer gives McNair the expertise needed to help Clients navigate the troubled waters which lie ahead.

McNair Law Firm has eight offices in South Carolina and one in North Carolina. 

For more information about Shannon Bruning, Ben Homeyer or the Firm, please visit www.mcnair.net.