Matthew L. Johnson

HOMETOWN: HOUSTON, TEXAS

EDUCATION: MEDILL SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY; NOTRE DAME LAW SCHOOL

CAMPAIGNS: STATEWIDE RACES IN ILLINOIS FOR SENATE AND GOVERNOR, AND BUSH FOR PRESIDENT 2000

CAPITOL HILL: TOP POLICY AIDE/CHIEF COUNSEL FOR SENATE MAJORITY WHIP JOHN CORNYN (R-TX). HAD HAND IN DEVELOPMENT OF OVER 50 BIPARTISAN BILLS IN CONGRESS

K STREET: LED PODESTA GROUPS’S TECH, TELECOM & IP PRACTICE - REPRESENTING OVER A DOZEN INNOVATIVE GLOBAL TECH COMPANIES

WRITING: PROFILED BY NATIONAL JOURNAL, THE HILL, AND THE WASHINGTON POST; QUOTED IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, USA TODAY, LEGAL TIMES, THE ATLANTIC, AND TECHDIRT.

LIFE NOW: CHEVY CHASE, MD; WITH HIS WIFE, KATE, AND FOUR CHILDREN

ROOTING INTERESTS: HOUSTON ASTROS, NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS, NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

With almost two decades of experience at the intersection of politics and policy, Matt’s deep relationships, legislative know-how, and reputation for honesty and sound judgment make him a go-to for clients in turmoil and for those who want legislation that improves their bottom lines.

In a town filled with big talkers, over-promisers, and self-promoters, clients find it refreshing when they can turn to a proven problem-solver and crisis counselor—without fanfare or drama. Matt represents coalitions, start-ups, Fortune 100s, small businesses, nonprofits, and trade associations—and is known for developing and operationalizing winning strategies.

Among other recent engagements, Matt advised the c-suite of a major pharmaceutical company during a drug-pricing investigation; and he helped prepare client testimony and prep a client-witness for a high-stakes appearance before a key congressional committee that successfully changed the terms of a legislative reform debate. 

A native of Houston, Texas, Matt studied journalism at the Medill School at Northwestern University, where he first caught the political bug. Matt cut his teeth in Midwest battleground politics, working as a cub reporter before serving on statewide campaigns for U.S. Senate, Governor, and President. 

Following law school at Notre Dame, Matt spent nearly a decade on Capitol Hill as a top policy aide and lawyer for Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX). Matt is respected on both sides of the aisle and collaborated in the development of more than 50 bipartisan bills in Congress.

Through his work as a senior principal at two of DC’s top integrated lobbying and communications firms, Matt understands modern issue advocacy campaigns— managing several integrated lobbying and communications client matters. Most recently, Matt led Podesta Group’s Tech Telecom & IP sector practice and represented more than a dozen of the world’s most innovative technology companies.

On Capitol Hill, Matt recruited and supervised a talented team of lawyers and staff, several of whom served in key roles in the Trump Administration and Congress—including at the White House, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Matt has been quoted in, among other publications, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, Politico, The Hill, Morning Consult, National Journal, Legal Times, CQ Roll Call, The Atlantic, and Techdirt.

Matt lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with his wife, Kate, and their four children.