Darren Suarez, a member of the firm’s Government Relations Practice, specializes in environmental, energy, gaming, transportation, education, economic development and consumer protection policy and legislation. Prior to joining the firm, he served as program director for environment, economic development and transportation in the State Senate Majority Counsel Program Office. During his Senate tenure, Mr. Suarez was involved in numerous policy issues where he advised members of the Senate and negotiated legislation and the state budget.

In his most recent post, Mr. Suarez supervised a staff of policy analysts and counsels on transportation, racing and wagering, environment, economic development, consumer protection, corporations, public authorities, state budget and taxation.

Mr. Suarez is a joint recipient of the 2004 National Conference of State Legislature's Staff Chair Award for work as a primary author on New York’s Brownfield Cleanup Program. He was awarded an Economic Development Service Award in recognition of his work in attracting AMD to construct a $3.2 billion, 300mm wafer fab facility in New York. Mr. Suarez also received the 2005 New York Chapter of the Nature Conservancy “Salamander” award for his efforts to preserve and promote biodiversity.

Prior to joining the Senate Majority, Mr Suarez was employed as a legislative associate for the City University of New York, where he was responsible for representing the university before legislators, legislative staff, and agencies. Mr Suarez also served as a legislative associate for Cornell University prior to 1998.