Baker Donelson Launches Government Solutions and Public Funding Practice Group, Names Wendy Huff Ellard Leader

Wendy Huff Ellard, a shareholder in Baker Donelson's Jackson, Mississippi, office, has been named leader of this new group. The formation of this practice reflects Baker Donelson's commitment to delivering comprehensive, forward-looking solutions to clients navigating the complex landscape of emergency management, public policy, and federal and state funding opportunities. By aligning legal, policy, and strategic advisory services, the group will support clients in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters while proactively identifying and securing public funding opportunities at the federal, state, and local levels across a variety of industries.

While serving in this leadership role, Ms. Ellard, who has previously served as co-chair of Baker Donelson's Disaster Recovery and Government Services Team, will maintain her national regulatory practice focused on emergency management, government contracting, and public policy.

"Our clients face increasingly multifaceted challenges, and we want to serve as a trusted resource to support greater efficiency, collaboration, and public sector engagement," said Baker Donelson Chair and Chief Executive Officer Timothy M. Lupinacci. "This integrated approach allows these professionals to leverage their deep experience in federal policy, legislative advocacy, and funding strategy to deliver unmatched value and impact to our clients. Through her leadership of our exceptional Disaster Recovery and Government Services Team, Wendy has built an incredible foundation for this new group and has the talent and commitment to lead this practice toward even more impressive growth."

The Government Solutions and Public Funding Group will:

• Continue its leadership in pre- and post-disaster legal and policy matters, including program design, strategic collaboration, dispute resolution, eligibility support, and compliance guidance related to programs administered by FEMA, HUD, and other leading federal entity partners.
• Expand support for state legislative initiatives, including regulatory analysis and strategic engagement, with policymakers in industries such as manufacturing, health care, transportation, automotive, energy, real estate, and financial services, as well as educational institutions, local governments, and economic development districts.
• Provide targeted assistance to clients seeking public funding through federal and state programs across a wide range of industries, including energy, health care, housing, construction, and critical infrastructure.
• Collaborate with public- and private-sector clients to develop and support resilient infrastructure and community recovery plans informed by the latest federal and state priorities and available opportunities.

"It is truly an honor to lead a team of professionals who collectively have more than 170 years of experience helping clients navigate the incredibly complex challenges of federal grant and other assistance programs," said Ms. Ellard. "This practice group builds on a unique skillset and talent within Baker Donelson, and I look forward to expanding our ability to ensure our clients maximize the opportunities available to them."

For nearly 20 years, Ms. Ellard has assisted clients with the legal and policy issues associated with disaster response and recovery. She regularly represents public and not-for-profit entities, contractors, and industry associations to support strategic collaboration and maximize recovery following large disasters, with a significant focus on the energy and health care industries and funding opportunities unique to these sectors. She also devotes a substantial amount of her work to dispute resolution under FEMA's Public Assistance Program, including representing recipients and subrecipients in appeals to FEMA and in arbitration before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.