Tami Buckner Photo

Tami Jackson Buckner*

Partner
Head of Federal Government Relations

*Names that appear with an asterisk indicate a Michael Best professional not admitted to practice law.

Washington, D.C.
The Wharf
1000 Maine Avenue SW
Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20024

Overview

As Partner and Chair of the Energy and ESG Federal Practice at Michael Best, Tami assumes a pivotal role in assisting businesses and organizations in navigating and influencing the complexities of federal legislation and regulations. She excels in forging impactful strategic alliances and partnerships that support the client’s brand and business growth. Tami garners extensive expertise in bridging business goals and strategies with government policy in the areas of agriculture, food, nutrition, energy, and the environment.

Leveraging her extensive 25-year experience advising Fortune 500 companies and cultivating a vast bipartisan global network, Tami offers clients unparalleled political insights and hands-on lobbying execution. Her aim goes beyond just benefiting clients and their shareholders; she assists clients in creating value for society as a whole.

Tami was recently appointed as the Head of the Federal Government Relations Group, where she leads a bipartisan team spanning various legacy and emerging industry sectors. She also serves on the firm's Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee and Co-leads the Public Policy Internship Program. 

She joined Michael Best from Waste Management, where she led the federal legislative and political function in Washington, D.C. Previously, Tami held corporate leadership positions in government and public affairs at Kraft Foods, Coca-Cola, and DuPont Company.

Experience

In addition to Tami’s most recent leadership role with Waste Management, she has served in a number of key positions for major corporations, including the following:

  • Senior Director of Corporate and Federal Government Affairs – Kraft Foods Group
  • Director of Federal and State Government Relations – The Coca-Cola Company
  • Senior Manager of Government Affairs – The DuPont Company

Honors & Recognitions

  • Advocate of the Year Nominee, Women in Government Relations’ 2020 Excellence in Advocacy Awards
  • The Ones to Watch 20 Under 30, Working Woman Magazine
  • The Hill, Top Lobbyists 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Professional Activities

  • Advisory Board Member, Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy
  • Board Member, American Council of Young Political Leaders
  • Board Member, Congressional Management Foundation
  • Founding Member (DC), CHIEF

Education

Community Involvement

  • Board of Trustees, Stillman College
  • Board Member, The Maryland Center at Bowie State University 2010-2023
  • Member, Girl Scouts Nation's Capital - National Women’s Advisory Board
  • Mentor, Greenhouse Scholars 
  • Member, The Links, Incorporated
  • Life Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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