Tugend serves as the chair of the firm’s government and legislative affairs practice group where he zealously lobbies at the federal, state and local level for his clients. During his tenure at the firm, he has successfully lobbied for decreased regulation on manufacturers and has fought to preserve the ability of Transportation Improvement Districts to efficiently advance economic development projects.
Government Affairs
Tugend is a 20-year veteran of legal, legislative and political matters. He previously served for six years as vice president of government relations for the Columbus Chamber where he was the voice of the business community in public policy matters. He has been an advocate for his community by taking a team of community leaders to Washington, D.C., to advocate the expansion of a military base, which ultimately grew by more than 2,000 jobs. Tugend also served as a part of a campaign team that secured voter approval for a transit tax levy. He has also been an advocate for businesses by breaking down barriers to doing business with government and stopping legislation that would have made the state a less friendly place to do business.
On the political front, Tugend is no novice. He managed a candidate’s statewide race, founded a corporate political action committee and has afforded political advice to a wide variety of candidates.
Gaming Law
Tugend counsels gaming industry equipment managers and has been involved in multiple gaming ballot issues in Ohio.
Administrative Law
Tugend is familiar with regulatory processes. He has negotiated with regulators in numerous states, has stopped harmful regulations from taking effect and has worked as a regulator.
Tugend serves as the chair of the firm’s government and legislative affairs practice group where he zealously lobbies at the federal, state and local level for his clients. During his tenure at the firm, he has successfully lobbied for decreased regulation on manufacturers and has fought to preserve the ability of Transportation Improvement Districts to efficiently advance economic development projects.
Government Affairs Tugend is a 20-year veteran of legal, legislative and political matters. He previously served for six years as vice president of government relations for the Columbus Chamber where he was the voice of the business community in public policy matters. He has been an advocate for his community by taking a team of community leaders to Washington, D.C., to advocate the expansion of a military base, which ultimately grew by more than 2,000 jobs. Tugend also served as a part of a campaign team that secured voter approval for a transit tax levy. He has also been an advocate for businesses by breaking down barriers to doing business with government and stopping legislation that would have made the state a less friendly place to do business.
On the political front, Tugend is no novice. He managed a candidate’s statewide race, founded a corporate political action committee and has afforded political advice to a wide variety of candidates.
Gaming Law Tugend counsels gaming industry equipment managers and has been involved in multiple gaming ballot issues in Ohio.
Administrative Law Tugend is familiar with regulatory processes. He has negotiated with regulators in numerous states, has stopped harmful regulations from taking effect and has worked as a regulator
Career Highlights
- Appointed to the State’s Co-op/Internship Program Advisory Committee in 2012.
- Successfully advocated for a change to the building code that will make Ohio a more attractive location for new logistics companies.
- Supervised government relations operations in 17 states for Farmers Insurance.
- Founder of corporate political action committee.
- Led $1 million community campaign aimed at the Pentagon to expand the Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC) that resulted in the base adding 2,000 jobs.
- Served as local co-chair of successful campaign to defeat statewide ballot issue.
- Served on Ohio Subrogation Rights Commission.
Professional Memberships - Columbus Bar Association, member
- Ohio State Bar Association, member
- Capital University, President’s Advisory Board, member (2010-present)
- Columbus International Visitor’s Council, (2005-2008)
- Leadership Columbus, graduate (2009-2010)
- Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District, board member (2004-2008)
- Christ Lutheran Church, Congregation President (2006-2007)
- Columbus 2020 Civic Infrastructure Committee, member (2010-present)
- Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Transportation Advisory Council (2004-2011)
- Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Policy Roundtable (2006-present)
- United Way of Central Ohio, Public Policy Committee, member (2005-present)
- Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District, board member (2004-2008)
- Insurance Institute of Kentucky, vice chair (2003)
- Insurance Institute of Kentucky, Secretary/Treasurer (2002)
- Georgia Insurance Information Service, board member (2002-2004)
- Insurance Association of Connecticut, board member (2002-2004)
- Insurance Federation Of Pennsylvania, Property & Casualty committee (2002-2004)
Publications and Presentations
- “Forthcoming Ballot Issues in 2012,” presented to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Public Policy Roundtable, 2012
- “Transportation Improvement Districts,” presented to the Delaware County Local Government Association, October 2011
- “Understanding Transportation Improvement Districts,” presented to the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange, 2011
- “Redesigning Ohio,” presented to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Public Policy Committee, 2011
- “Advocating DSCC,” presented to the Columbus Rotary, 2004
Bar Admissions
Education
- Juris Doctor (1991)
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law - Bachelor of Arts, Russian Area Studies (1988)
Wittenberg University
Cum laude