Amy Rutkin serves as a Senior Advisor to Kasirer, providing key services to the firm’s clients through strategic insights, relationship development, policy advising and direct government relations. She also brings unique connection to and position in the DC-NY power landscape, which will also result in enhanced opportunities and synergies for Kasirer clients.

Rutkin is a veteran government/political leader with 25+ years of Capitol Hill and New York experience-whose expertise includes senior public sector and political management, policy development, legislative strategy, government relations, strategic communications, crisis management and political power-building. She served as Staff Director to the House Judiciary Committee (first-ever Democratic woman) and Chief of Staff to Congressman Jerrold Nadler, roles that placed her at the center of some of the nation’s most consequential recent events and positioned her as a trusted advisor to Democratic Leadership and the White House.

Rutkin led the Committee through one of its most challenging and successful eras, during which she staff-managed both impeachments of President Trump and highly-charged debates across the complex jurisdictions of criminal, immigration, IP, antitrust and constitutional law. She also shepherded passage of over 100 bills through the House, of which more than 50 became law—including the landmark, bi-partisan Respect for Marriage Act.

As Nadler’s top advisor, Rutkin was the architect of his ascent to national prominence, guiding him through events like the 9/11 attacks in his district, which culminated in the Zadroga 9/11 Health & Compensation Act. Rutkin also built one of most enduring political organizations in contemporary NY politics, which boasted a US Congressman, NYS Attorney General and NYC Comptroller sitting simultaneously, and leveraged power to elect a host of others while advancing shared policy aims. As Nadler is “Dean” of the NY Congressional Delegation and the House’s senior Jewish member, Rutkin also managed the Delegation and the informal Jewish members’ caucus. She is widely considered a top Democratic strategist on Jewish Community issues.

A seasoned political professional, Rutkin has led many successful candidates and issue campaigns counseled numerous leaders through tough political terrain. Most recently, she managed Nadler’s 30-point victory against another House committee chair—the only such contest in history. Rutkin also has deep experience in nonprofit development/management and advocacy, building winning coalitions to deliver key policy outcomes.

Rutkin has been described as a “consummate fixer” owing to her deep understanding of how government really works, policy and political chops, empathic strategic and managerial skills, extensive network, and penchant for winning. She holds a BA in Sociology from Brandeis University and a MPA from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.