Timothy E. Punke | Partner
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Tim Punke, Partner, has over a decade of experience working in politics and policy, including work in the U.S. Senate, the Clinton White House, and for national campaigns. Since leaving government service in 2005, Punke has helped a broad range of Fortune 500 companies, industry associations, and public entities on a diverse set of issues, including international trade, tax policy, health care, immigration, travel policy, public lands issues, intellectual property protection, appropriations, and corporate social responsibility.
Punke previously served as chief international trade counsel to the Senate Finance Committee. During his four years on the committee, Punke advised Chairman Max Baucus and other members of the committee on international trade and international tax issues, as well as international competitiveness policies. While on the committee, Punke was responsible for the communications and press strategy for international issues.
Punke also served at the White House National Economic Council, where he worked on a diverse range of economic and development issues. Punke helped drive the interagency effort to implement China’s accession to the World Trade Organization. Punke also helped prepare for and staff the president’s participation in the 1999 WTO Ministerial in Seattle, and the 2000 G7/G8 summit in Okinawa, Japan.
Punke is active in Democratic politics. He was a state director for the 2000 Gore-Lieberman campaign, and has been involved in numerous presidential, congressional, and local campaigns. He currently serves on the steering committee for the New Democrat Caucus.
Punke has taught business and law classes at Georgetown University Law School, George Washington University Elliot School of International Affairs, and the University of Baltimore Law School. He speaks frequently on both policy and politics. He has appeared as a witness before congressional committees, and is a frequent commentator on Fox News. His legal background includes work as a partner at K&L Gates and as an associate at Dewey Ballantine. He was also a law clerk to Judge Sidney Thomas of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Punke received both his J.D. and B.A. from Cornell University. He currently chairs the Executive Committee of the U.S.-Japan Leadership Program, and has served on the boards of the Washington Council on International Trade and the King County Conservation Voters. He was recently named by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of the 40 Under 40 Top Young Business Leaders for 2010. His interests include triathlons, running, and backpacking.
Tim is married to Lori Otto Punke. They have two sons, Jack and Tucker.