• AFFILIATIONS
  • Moderate Democrats PAC Steering Committee
  • Third Way Corporate Leadership Committee

  • EDUCATION
  • J.D. - Georgetown University
  • National Champion White Collar Moot Court Team
  • Commencement speaker
  • B.A. - Louisiana State University/Baton Rouge
  • Cum Laude
  • Phi Beta Kappa

Kelly Rucker Bingel

Partner

Kelly Rucker Bingel, a Partner at Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti Inc., channels her wealth of experience in government, political campaigns, corporate America and media in leading clients to success in Washington, DC.  Since every legislative battle requires a deep understanding of policy combined with a political strategy and precise messaging, Kelly's background serves her clients well.

In 2010, she steered an array of energy and pharmaceutical companies through delicate negotiations on derivatives legislation.  She has advised trade associations, Fortune 10 companies and non-profits through the complicated health care overhaul of 2009.

From taxes to energy to health care legislation, it all comes down to people at the end of the day, and Kelly's no-nonsense approach to issues and personal engagement makes her a favorite of both policy leaders and business executives.

Kelly entered politics through the probing lens of a newspaper reporter, covering crime and politics for The Tulsa Tribune.  She left tornadoes and courtroom drama, transitioning to Capitol Hill as Communications Director for a centrist Democrat in the House of Representatives.  While in the House, she helped moderate Democrats create the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and rise again in the aftermath of the 1994 mid-term Congressional elections.  As a Legislative Director and Chief of Staff on the Senate side, she helped create the Senate New Dems.

While on the Hill, Kelly helped craft legislative language targeted to rural telecom subscribers during the tedious Conference Committee negotiations of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  She later parlayed her telecom background as a lobbyist for AT&T's Office of Law and Government Affairs.

A Phi Beta Kappa at Louisiana State University, Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism with a Minor in Political Science.  At LSU, she was President of Chi Omega Fraternity and wrote for The Daily Reveille.  She received her Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University and was chosen by her peers at Georgetown to serve as commencement speaker.  Kelly is a member of the Virginia Bar Association.

A native to Georgia and Louisiana who has lived throughout the South, Kelly is married to a Yankee and lives in Arlington, VA with her family.