Reginal J. Leichty

Reg Leichty is a partner of Reg Leichty is a partner of EducationCounsel LLC and Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough in Washington, D.C.  He practices education law with a focus on the critical issues intersecting education, technology, and telecommunications policy.  In that capacity, he advises and advocates for leading nonprofit organizations, foundations, and companies working to improve educational opportunities for all children. 

Mr. Leichty’s experience includes counseling clients about a variety of issues including the accountability, school improvement, and technology components of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the education and broadband programs of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and core provisions of other federal education laws including Head Start and the Higher Education Act.  He also advises clients about the Telecommunications Act’s schools and libraries program (the “E-rate”) and broadband initiatives, including the National Broadband Plan’s impact on educational institutions. 

Mr. Leichty also helps his clients create and implement effective federal advocacy plans, including policy development, legislative drafting, supporting grassroots outreach and coalition building, and providing direct advocacy on Capitol Hill and before key federal agencies.  

Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Leichty served as a telecommunications and technology advisor to former Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska and as Chief Counsel for Senator Bill Nelson of Florida. During his eight years on Capitol Hill, he worked extensively on telecommunications, education technology, data security, and new media issues pending before the Senate Commerce and Judiciary Committees.

Mr. Leichty earned a Juris Doctor from the George Washington University Law School in 2001 and his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in 1995.  Mr. Leichty lives with his wife and two children in Arlington, Va.