(Washington, DC / November 18, 2010) Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC has expanded its Health Law/Public Policy department with the addition of Read Van de Water, who has joined as of counsel in the Firm's Washington, D.C. office.
Ms. Van de Water, who focuses her practice in the areas of public policy, transportation, labor relations and health care policy, most recently served as both Chairman and Member of the National Mediation Board after being unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. At the National Mediation Board, Ms. Van de Water was responsible for facilitating labor-management relations for more than 500 domestic and international airlines and railroads. Her oversight included representation, mediation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution issues and involved extensive interaction with external stakeholders including corporations, labor unions, and state and local governments.
Ms. Van de Water served from 2001 to 2003 as the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation after being unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. As Assistant Secretary, Ms. Van de Water was responsible for formulating federal government policy for domestic and international aviation in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 2001. Internationally, she maintained oversight of both the regulatory and negotiating functions of U.S. policy. Her responsibility included not only negotiations but the day-to-day execution and implementation of the various agreements. On the domestic front, as Assistant Secretary, Ms. Van de Water was responsible for extensive coordination with other executive agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration. She was a lead policymaker for key aviation issues and administered a $5 billion airline compensation fund. Ms. Van de Water was frequently called to Capitol Hill to explain departmental policies, regulatory decisions and budget priorities, and testified before both U.S. House and Senate authorizing committees.
Previously, Ms. Van de Water served as legislative counsel for The Business Roundtable with responsibility for both international trade and health care issues. She was legislative counsel and director of government affairs for Northwest Airlines. She was also employed on Capitol Hill in the office of Congressman Tom DeLay as an appropriations associate and legislative assistant. Ms. Van de Water is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, George Washington University and The University of the South.