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SALEM — Pac/West Lobby Group has hired Henry T. O’Keeffe as Vice President of Legal Affairs to enhance Pac/West’s ability to translate client needs into clear and precise legislative concepts and amendments.

O’Keeffe is a member of the Oregon State Bar with a track record working with local government, health care, non-profits, and private business. His experience includes organizing and negotiating legal agreements, drafting municipal ordinances, and helping advance legislation.

“Henry has the ability to fine-tune the language of legislative concepts and amendments, matching client needs and expectations with the style guide and necessary specificity of Legislative Counsel. This is a tremendous asset that will provide clarity and certainty earlier in the process as we’re able to build a coalition of support around vote-ready bill language,” said Ryan Tribbett, president of Pac/West Lobby Group. “Instead of waiting through the time-consuming Legislative Counsel bill-drafting process, we will be able to draft and work from near-final versions and begin engaging with legislators much sooner.”

While earning a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University, O’Keeffe interned for U.S. Rep. Greg Walden. After college he was a legislative assistant for State Sen. Larry George, and did research for the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. He earned his J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School, later serving as a legislative aide for the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington State. He most recently spent nearly 8 years as general counsel for the Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc.

“My passion is taking a broad idea of how a law could improve a service or a process or a community and writing the bill in a way that ensures the intent meets the final product,” said O’Keeffe. “There’s a specific language of legislation and I’m well-versed in the styles and structure of the law in Oregon.”

Henry grew up on a cattle ranch in Lake County and is now married to a fellow attorney with two step-children. His favorite way to unwind is watching live stand-up comedy and spending time in rural Oregon with his family.

The team at Pac/West Lobby Group has decades of experience advocating for diverse groups before the legislature, state agencies, and the relevant boards and commissions. We cover industries including health care, organized labor, agriculture, transportation, local governments, and more.