Kim Yelkin is the Office Managing Partner of the Austin office of Foley and Co-Chair of Foley and Lardner's State and Local Government Solutions practice group. She is a nationally recognized expert in government affairs and is routinely consulted by clients for her expertise in strategy and execution. Kim brings a unique blend of legal talent and business acumen to assist her clients in solving complex problems which include high-profile legislative issues, litigation avoidance and routine regulatory matters before various state agencies. She is engaged by clients to coordinate multi-state regulatory and legislative projects to maximize their long-term competitive advantage and defend against governmental action adverse to their interests. Whether it is a project requiring immediate attention, or the development and implementation of a long-term strategy, Kim is expert at coordinating a proactive approach to issues management and strategy development and execution. Kim not only has over 30 years of expertise in insurance and health care issues, but also represents clients in other industries who have issues with government. Her practice concentration is before the Texas Legislature, the Department of Insurance, the Office of Attorney General, the Texas Department of Health, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, the Texas Comptroller, the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and other state agencies. Prior to joining Gardere, Kim was a Partner at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld for 12 years. She has a wealth of experience in insurance issues having served as senior government affairs counsel for the St. Paul Companies and associate counsel for the American Insurance Association. Prior to her tenure at the American Insurance Association, she was Deputy District Attorney in Omaha, Neb. Born and raised in Omaha, Neb., Kim received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University in 1977, and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Creighton University School of Law in 1980. Professional & Community Professional Affiliations --Member, State Bar of Texas --Member, State Bar of Nebraska --Member, American Bar Association --Member, Federation of Regulatory Counsel Inc. --Secretary, Austin/San Antonio Chapter, The Texas General Counsel Forum --Member, National Association of Professional Women Honors & Awards --Recognized, Texas Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, as published in Texas Monthly --Government Relations (2014-2016) --Recognized, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Tom Wicker ed., Chambers & Partners) --Insurance: Regulation, Texas (2008-2016) --Recognized, The Best Lawyers in America (Steven Naifeh & Gregory White Smith eds., Woodward/White Inc.) --Insurance Law (2016-2017) Community Involvement --Board Member, Dress for Success®, Austin --Chair, Corporate Guild --Member, Advisory Board, Austin Children’s Museum --Member, Advisory Board, Ronald McDonald House --Member, Leadership Texas Admissions --Texas (1980) Speaking Engagements --09.18.14 Managing Perceptions When Women Network with Men Women, Influence & Power in Law Conference --10.04.13 Becoming Strategic Partners with Regulators Women, Influence & Power in Law Conference --06.17.13 Summary of Key Insurance Legislation 83rd Texas Legislative Session