Ex-Senate Armed Services GC Joins Covington In DC

Ex-Senate Armed Services GC Joins Covington In DC

September 28, 2022, Law360

Law360 covered the Covington arrival of Stephanie Barna, the former general counsel for the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Law360 included Stephanie's statement from Covington's arrival announcement, stating, "Covington has a superb reputation as the firm of choice for clients in the aerospace and defense sectors and I look forward to the opportunity to help clients navigate the increasingly complex issues affecting the national security domain. I'm excited to join a dynamic team of lawyers and advisors who are committed to excellence in the practice of law and place a premium on public policy experience."

In an email to Law360, Stephanie said it was her love of country that inspired her to join the Army in 1989 and said she was "incredibly privileged" to serve in the legislative branch as general counsel of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"When you think about loving one's country, you need look no further than Senator Jim Inhofe and Senator Jack Reed, who led the committee in turn, during my time there," Stephanie said. "Both were laser-focused on preserving our national security on good government, and most importantly, on taking care of our troops and their families. It was their leadership and genuine bipartisanship that took the National Defense Authorization Act over the finish line these past years. Serving with the [Senate Armed Services Committee] was the highpoint of my federal career, but the time was 'right.'"

On her new role in private practice, Stephanie said that joining Covington was "yet another opportunity to serve." She looked forward to helping clients with the sometimes daunting task of interacting with the federal government.

"It was a conversation with Covington partners Jim Garland and Yaron Dori that drove home the value that Covington places on the public policy practice," Stephanie said. "It shares an important characteristic with our armed forces: it is a 'team' practice. Each and every firm client has access to the full depth and breadth of expertise that every member of the Covington team brings to the work. Finally, on my very first day with the firm, I was welcomed by partner Ben Block, who leads the Covington Veterans' Affinity Group. All that to say, Covington has made me feel 'at home."

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