CHARLESTON — Carte Goodwin is expanding his role with Frost Brown Todd and joining the firm's Washington, D.C., office.
Goodwin, who is vice-chair of the firm's appellate practice group, principal of CivicPoint, which is the firm's public affairs subsidiary and is a member-in-charge at the Charleston office, will join the D.C. office when the firm moves to its new office later this spring.
"The work will enhance my efforts to assist specific client needs," Goodwin said in an interview with The West Virginia Record. "I already focus on providing timely insight to clients regarding the issues and developments that impact their industries, both here in West Virginia and beyond. Now that Frost Brown Todd has a permanent presence in Washington D.C., I now have an additional resource to anticipate the various changes in regulations and laws that will have a direct impact on the industries in West Virginia."
Goodwin said he is excited about the expansion into a new and growing market.
"Frost Brown Todd continues to look for strategic opportunities to grow across the country, and the opening of our Washington, D.C., office is an important part of those efforts," Goodwin said. "We have an experienced and well-networked team of attorneys with strong constituent-based relationships with national policymakers, having worked with these leaders both in Washington D.C. and across our existing footprint."
Goodwin said he is already in D.C. often.
"My work frequently takes me to the D.C. area, so from that standpoint, the launch of our new office will be a great help," Goodwin said. "At the same time, continuing to grow and develop our Charleston office remains a priority for the firm."
Goodwin said the Charleston office has grown to more than 15 attorneys all offering a diverse array of legal services, including complex litigation, municipal finance, economic development and tax.
"Working to help grow both offices is a welcome challenge that in the end will ultimately benefit our current and future clients and therefore West Virginia’s business community," Goodwin said.
Goodwin said the D.C. office will also help his West Virginia clients.
"While our firm already has a variety of resources for my West Virginia clients thanks to our expansive presence in 15 markets across mid-America, having regular face-to-face time with this formal consolidation of Frost Brown Todd’s federal public policy and regulatory practices into a Washington D.C. office will enrich how those resources will benefit West Virginia businesses," Goodwin said. "Those participating in our D.C. office have held high-ranking government positions at the national and state levels, in addition to serving in an advisory capacity to prominent lawmakers, cabinet members, and federal commissions."
Goodwin is a former U.S. Senator, having been appointed in 2010 by then-West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin to fill the vacancy caused by the passing of Sen. Robert C. Byrd. Goodwin is admitted to practice law in West Virginia, and he will practice under the supervision of D.C. Bar members.