LOUIS T. AGNELLO
Washington,USA
Summary
Strategic government relations and legal executive with 15+ years advising senior decision-makers in Congress, the executive branch, and Fortune 100 companies. Proven track record of driving high-impact legislative and regulatory outcomes, including passage of the $1.1B Excellence in Mental Health Act through celebrity-backed advocacy and bipartisan coalition building. Operates with autonomy, sound judgment, and a bias toward action—trusted for translating complex federal policy into actionable business strategy. Currently leading AI policy and governance initiatives in collaboration with the global leader in behavioral AI analytics while serving as General Counsel for a digital health platform. Experienced in technology, media, competition, and privacy law, with deep expertise in aligning internal teams, managing third-party consultants, and delivering clear, executive-ready communications.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Counsel
Storyline Health Inc
Milwaukee, WI
11.2024 - Current
- Facilitate a $100 million multinational cancer research collaboration focused on expanding precision oncology and regulatory coordination across key Asian markets
- Lead AI policy and governance initiatives in partnership with the global leader in behavioral AI analytics, shaping cross-jurisdictional compliance frameworks and product strategy
- Structure deals that balance IP protection with federal compliance requirements
- Advise the C-suite on regulatory developments, enabling $10M+ in deals previously blocked by compliance constraints
- Operate with autonomy and speed in high-stakes environments, translating complex policy trends into actionable strategy
Counsel
Polsinelli PC
Chicago, IL
09.2023 - 11.2024
- Transformed competitive intelligence adoption across practice groups, shifting from reactive updates to predictive insights that positioned the firm as a strategic business partner
Counsel
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Washington, DC
12.2017 - 09.2023
- Supported congressional investigations including executive prep, document review, and strategy development in response to House and Senate inquiries
- Advised Fortune 100 media and tech clients on platform liability, privacy, and algorithmic transparency frameworks
- Managed federal antitrust and M&A review processes for $100M–$1B+ transactions, shaping regulatory strategy and risk analysis
- Developed crisis communications plans for clients facing subpoenas or public oversight, coordinating internal teams and external stakeholders
Senior Counsel, Joint Economic Committee
Office of Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Washington, DC
04.2014 - 11.2017
- Led federal agency oversight and regulatory reform initiatives across tax, health, and workforce policy
- Built coalition of labor unions and large employers to delay $87B Cadillac Tax (Pub. L. 114-113), aligning business and labor interests
- Oversaw bipartisan strategy for complex regulatory and tax matters, translating technical issues into politically viable narratives
Legislative Assistant
Office of Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA)
Washington, DC
12.2011 - 04.2014
- Led legislative strategy for the $1.1B Excellence in Mental Health Act, reframing mental health funding as a public safety priority
- Recruited and coordinated celebrity advocacy (Bradley Cooper, Glenn Close, David O. Russell), building public support and media attention
- Built diverse stakeholder coalitions including law enforcement and advocacy groups to align messaging and momentum
- Leveraged crisis-to-opportunity thinking post–Sandy Hook to advance behavioral health legislation during a volatile policy window
Law Clerk, Office of the Director
Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Bureau of Consumer Protection
Washington, DC
06.2010 - 08.2010
- Contributed to early enforcement and rulemaking on digital privacy, consumer protection, and data use—laying groundwork for current platform regulation
Antitrust Subcommittee Law Clerk
U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Washington, DC
06.2009 - 08.2009
- Researched antitrust and competition policy with a focus on media and tech sector consolidation
Education
Juris Doctorate -
University of Wisconsin Law School
Madison, WI08-2011
Master of Public Health -
The George Washington University
Washington, DC05-2007
B.A. - Political Science
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Madison, WI05-2004
Skills
- Congressional & Executive Branch Engagement – House Energy & Commerce, Judiciary, Senate Commerce, Finance, White House agency coordination
- Legislative & Regulatory Strategy – Platform liability, data protection, algorithmic bias, antitrust, AI governance
- Cross-Functional Leadership – Advising legal, policy, business, and communications teams
- High-Impact Communications – Briefs, talking points, and strategy documents for executive audiences
- Coalition & Stakeholder Management – Entertainment industry, law enforcement, advocacy groups, trade associations
- Third-Party Oversight – Coordination of consultants, industry coalitions, and advocacy networks
- Crisis-to-Opportunity Framing – Navigating scrutiny, investigations, and legislative windows
- Judgment Under Pressure – Rapid, informed decision-making in complex, high-stakes environments
Certification
Wisconsin; District of Columbia; Illinois (pending)
Timeline
General Counsel
Storyline Health Inc
11.2024 - Current
Counsel
Polsinelli PC
09.2023 - 11.2024
Counsel
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
12.2017 - 09.2023
Senior Counsel, Joint Economic Committee
Office of Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
04.2014 - 11.2017
Legislative Assistant
Office of Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA)
12.2011 - 04.2014
Law Clerk, Office of the Director
Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Bureau of Consumer Protection
06.2010 - 08.2010
Antitrust Subcommittee Law Clerk
U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary
06.2009 - 08.2009
Juris Doctorate -
University of Wisconsin Law School
Master of Public Health -
The George Washington University
B.A. - Political Science
University of Wisconsin–Madison
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