Indiana Senate leader Long joins Ice Miller

In advance of his retirement from the Indiana Statehouse in November, Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, will be joining Ice Miller LLP as a partner today.

Long, who has a law office in Fort Wayne and serves as general counsel for Pizza Hut, will practice in the firm’s Public Affairs Group. On Ice Miller’s website, this practice group boasts its pool of professionals who have extensive knowledge of the government and offers its services for solving issues either related to lobbying matters or involving multiple branches of government.

“David Long is a highly respected figure who has left a legacy of growth and sound fiscal management for the state of Indiana,” said Ice Miller chief managing partner Steve Humke. “With David joining our team, we strengthen our ability to provide relevant and actional advice to our clients on defining issues.”

Although his term does not end until 2020, Long announced in February that he would retire Nov. 6 after 22 years in the Indiana Senate. He told The Journal Gazette he does not intend to lobby the Indiana General Assembly after his retirement but instead will spend his time helping Ice Miller expand its national footprint. The firm has six offices outside of Indianapolis including ones in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Columbus, Ohio.

“David enhances Ice Miller’s growing regional and national depth and adds to the firm’s increasing presence beyond its strongholds in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Washington, D.C.,” said John Hammond, partner and chair of the Public Affairs Group. “He is widely respected on both sides of the aisle for his integrity, professionalism and ability to get big things done through building consensus.”

Long’s early exit from the Statehouse to join a law firm follows Brandt Hershman, former Senate majority floor leader. The Buck Creek Republican resigned from the Indiana Senate one day before the 2018 session began to become a partner Barnes & Thornburg and work in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

During his 12 years as leader of the Indiana Senate, Long is credited with keeping the state’s budgets balanced. He is also view as having been instrumental in supporting Major Moves, a $3.8 billion initiative to improve Indiana’s roadways, and the Healthy Indiana Plan, a health care plan for the underprivileged. Martinsville Republican Rodric Bray has been appointed to replace Long as the Senate's leader. 

Long earned his law degree from Santa Clara University school of Law in 1983 and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis, in 1978.

“I am honored to be joining Ice Miller and look forward to becoming part of their well-respected team,” Long said. “Ice Miller has a deep, bipartisan talent pool and cutting edge resources that will provide a robust platform to serve clients at the highest level.”