DLA's Knowles: Obama will achieve a great deal in second term
DLA Piper’s co-chief executive Sir Nigel Knowles has spoken of his hope that Barack Obama will use his second term to build consensus among the American people.
President Obama, Nigel Knowles
Democratic candidate – and incumbent – Obama won the presidential race early this morning UK time, winning 303 electoral votes to Republican rival Mitt Romney’s 206.
Having met Obama at a cocktail party in Chicago - home of DLA Piper’s US headquarters – during the 2008 presidential campaign (20 October 2008), Knowles spoke at the time of how “charismatic and engaging” Obama was.
Today, when asked by The Lawyer, Knowles said that “on a personal level” he likes and rates Obama, adding: “President Obama was never going to be able to complete his agenda in one term, and the American people have given him a second term. I hope he also looks to bring the American people together and build some consensus.
“He’s a clever man, has emotional intelligence and can still achieve a great deal.”
DLA Piper had strong links with the first Obama administration, with partner and global board chairman emeritus George Mitchell serving as its Middle East peace envoy from January 2009 to May 2011 (22 January 2009).
Data from the Center for Responsive Politics shows that DLA Piper’s employees and political action committees (PACs) combined to become Obama’s 11th largest donor in the latest campaign, giving $393,102 (7 November 2012). DLA Piper was also the fifth largest lawyer/law firm contributor in terms of donations to both parties and outside spending groups for the 2012 elections, with employees and PACs giving $1,656,895.
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Readers' comments (23)
Obama Vest | 7-Nov-2012 10:13 pm
Is this a spoof story? The photo looks suspect, I think I have that App too.
Is the Pres an investor in Law Vest. If not, what does he think of the concept?
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Anonymous | 8-Nov-2012 9:31 am
Doesn't Private Eye run a column about how companies unashamedly use news stories to plug their own agenda?
We have a similar situation in Newcastle where the local paper runs a "my 2 cents" article on any topic of his choice, which always comes back to what his firm can offer....
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Anonymous | 8-Nov-2012 9:37 am
Apparently Obama has received focus group feed back that he needs to appear more self-deluded so he has reached out to Sir N. He is also consulting Tony Angel for tips on people skills.
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Hilary Clinton-Cards | 8-Nov-2012 11:59 am
This is outstanding reportage of the highest quality. What will the noble knight be having for lunch and please may we have an article about that too?
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Important Message! | 8-Nov-2012 1:02 pm
@Hilary Clinton-Cards
Please let the press know I will mainly be eating spinach for lunch today.
Yours faithfully
The Nige
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Anonymous | 8-Nov-2012 2:36 pm
On a serious note, does Sir Nigel know the whereabouts of Lord Lucan or, more importantly, Shergar?
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Anonymous | 8-Nov-2012 3:03 pm
News item: Nigel has dinner with Richard III, Albert Einstein, Gandhi and Elvis. Nigel insists they came back to earth in response to his gracious invitation.
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Bronco Bama | 8-Nov-2012 3:05 pm
Next week:
'When Nigel met Tiger''
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Barack Obama | 8-Nov-2012 3:37 pm
Sorry, Nigel Knowles...at a cocktail party was it?....sorry, no recollection whatsoever I am afraid. Who is he?
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Heaven Knowles | 8-Nov-2012 7:54 pm
I'm pitching a new game on Dragons' Den called 'Who else does Sir Nigel Know(les)?' It's going to be a game changer this Christmas
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