Manus Cooney

Manus Cooney joined the firm in 2010, bringing with him a preeminent public policy practice specializing in intellectual property, competition, tax, and administration of justice policy matters. ACG’s clients will have the benefit of his expertise in strategic public policy planning, execution, and representation before federal agencies and Congress. Prior to joining ACG, Mr. Cooney served as President of the consulting firms TCH Group and Potomac Counsel from 2003-2010. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Cooney served as Senior Vice President and Policy Counsel for the file-sharing company Napster, Inc. He was responsible for setting the company’s strategic course on public policy and product development issues. He served as the principal liaison to the White House, the Department of Justice, Congressional offices, industry leaders, and the media on key technology policy and product issues. Mr. Cooney served with distinction on Capitol Hill for several years. From 1996-2000, Mr. Cooney served as Chief Counsel & Staff Director of the United States Senate Judiciary Committee, where he was the principal legal and policy advisor to the Committee’s Chairman, Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT). Mr. Cooney was primarily responsible for the development and stewardship of the Committee’s legislative, executive, and oversight agendas. The issues overseen by Mr. Cooney included: intellectual property law (e.g. Digital Millennium Copyright Act; Trademark Law Treaty Implementation Act; Domain Name Amendment Act; Copyright Term Extension Act; and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Reauthorization Act.); Internet policy issues; judicial nominations; civil justice reform; and oversight of the Executive Branch and Judicial Branch. Mr. Cooney has had many leadership roles. Sen. John McCain appointed Mr. Cooney to the Justice Advisory Committee of the McCain for President Campaign. Mr. Cooney currently serves on the Board of Directors for The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, The Churchill Centre & Churchill Museum and The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. He is a Member of The Federal City Council, The Economic Club of Washington, D.C., The Federalist Society and The American Intellectual Property Law Association. Mr. Cooney holds degrees from Villanova University and the University of Baltimore Law School.