Ex-Senator Sinema joins Hogan Lovells as senior adviser

Former Independent U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona is joining global law firm Hogan Lovells as a senior adviser in its global regulatory and intellectual property practice group, the firm said on Monday. Sinema and Daniel Winkler, who worked as an adviser to Sinema in the Senate, joined the law firm's Washington, D.C., office, the firm said. Sinema told Reuters that she will help clients involved in artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, digital assets and other industries "navigate complex regulatory and legislative environments."In January, she joined crypto exchange Coinbase's global advisory council.Hogan Lovells has previously counted Coinbase as a client, including in litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court. The firm declined to comment as to whether the company is a current client.Sinema, an attorney, said she will not register to lobby.Hogan Lovells, which has more than 2,800 lawyers, earlier this month said it increased revenue 9% to $2.96 billion in 2024. Average profit per equity partner reached $3.07 million, up from $2.74 million in 2023, the firm said.The firm's government relations and public affairs practice, which is part of the broader regulatory group, also includes former Republican U.S. Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota.Sinema was elected in 2018 as a Democrat, but drew her party's ire after she foiled some policy proposals of former President Joe Biden along with former Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia. At the same time, Sinema, the first openly bisexual senator, gained the respect of many of her Senate colleagues as a dogged legislator who was willing to plunge into difficult issues until compromises were reached.Sinema was a key negotiator on Biden's successful $1 trillion infrastructure investment bill that was enacted in 2021.Following her clashes with fellow-Democrats, she changed her party affiliation to independent in December 2022. Sinema told Reuters that Hogan Lovells has an "excellent reputation of being bipartisan."