Mark Bowles is chairman of McGuireWoods Consulting LLC and a partner with McGuireWoods LLP, a leading public affairs, government relations and strategic consulting firm. As a lawyer and consultant, Mark’s practice focuses on providing strategic counsel and policy advice to business and organizations with issues before the executive branch, state legislatures and regulatory agencies. His work includes government relations strategy, legislative advocacy, procurement consulting and public affairs management across all 50 states.
Mark has a lengthy resume in Virginia politics, having managed statewide campaigns, congressional campaigns and numerous legislative races. Mark served on the finance committee for the McAuliffe for Governor campaign and as the finance co chair for the inauguration of Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Gov. Ralph Northam and Gov. Abigail Spanberger. Mark has also served as finance chair and member of the steering committee for the Democratic Party of Virginia.
When McGuireWoods Consulting was established in 1998, Mark joined the firm as one of the original senior vice presidents. He has played a central role in its growth into a national public affairs firm with offices in Washington, D.C. and multiple states. The firm provides integrated government relations services, including state and federal lobbying, grassroots mobilization, digital advocacy, public relations, and specialty practices in infrastructure and economic development. His network includes senior officials across governors’ offices, state legislatures, regulatory agencies and Capitol Hill.
Mark focuses on government relations and public affairs strategy across key policy areas, including artificial intelligence (AI) policy, health care regulation, energy and utilities, technology and innovation, gaming and hospitality, higher education policy and environmental law. He counsels clients on state legislative strategy, executive branch engagement, regulatory compliance and government procurement, helping organizations compete effectively in public sector markets.
Mark advises Fortune 100 companies, private equity firms, portfolio companies, trade associations and nonprofit organizations. His experience in government procurement consulting, public-private partnerships, and legislative strategy supports clients in securing government contracts and funding opportunities. He also maintains an active pro bono practice.
Before joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Bowles served as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. L.F. Payne of Virginia and as counsel to a multistate utility. He also served as assistant attorney general of Virginia, where he worked on key legal and policy matters, including serving as staff counsel for the Attorney General’s Task Force on Domestic Violence.
Mark currently serves on the board of advisors for the University of Virginia Center for Politics and previously served on the university’s board of visitors for nine years.
Mark has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America ® for government relations practice. He was also named to the Virginia Business 500 Power List, recognizing influential business and policy leaders in Virginia.
Mark Bowles is chairman of McGuireWoods Consulting LLC and a partner with McGuireWoods LLP, a leading public affairs, government relations and strategic consulting firm. As a lawyer and consultant, Mark’s practice focuses on providing strategic counsel and policy advice to business and organizations with issues before the executive branch, state legislatures and regulatory agencies. His work includes government relations strategy, legislative advocacy, procurement consulting and public affairs management across all 50 states.
Mark has a lengthy resume in Virginia politics, having managed statewide campaigns, congressional campaigns and numerous legislative races. Mark served on the finance committee for the McAuliffe for Governor campaign and as the finance co chair for the inauguration of Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Gov. Ralph Northam and Gov. Abigail Spanberger. Mark has also served as finance chair and member of the steering committee for the Democratic Party of Virginia.
When McGuireWoods Consulting was established in 1998, Mark joined the firm as one of the original senior vice presidents. He has played a central role in its growth into a national public affairs firm with offices in Washington, D.C. and multiple states. The firm provides integrated government relations services, including state and federal lobbying, grassroots mobilization, digital advocacy, public relations, and specialty practices in infrastructure and economic development. His network includes senior officials across governors’ offices, state legislatures, regulatory agencies and Capitol Hill.
Mark focuses on government relations and public affairs strategy across key policy areas, including artificial intelligence (AI) policy, health care regulation, energy and utilities, technology and innovation, gaming and hospitality, higher education policy and environmental law. He counsels clients on state legislative strategy, executive branch engagement, regulatory compliance and government procurement, helping organizations compete effectively in public sector markets.
Mark advises Fortune 100 companies, private equity firms, portfolio companies, trade associations and nonprofit organizations. His experience in government procurement consulting, public-private partnerships, and legislative strategy supports clients in securing government contracts and funding opportunities. He also maintains an active pro bono practice.
Before joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Bowles served as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. L.F. Payne of Virginia and as counsel to a multistate utility. He also served as assistant attorney general of Virginia, where he worked on key legal and policy matters, including serving as staff counsel for the Attorney General’s Task Force on Domestic Violence.
Mark currently serves on the board of advisors for the University of Virginia Center for Politics and previously served on the university’s board of visitors for nine years.
Mark has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America ® for government relations practice. He was also named to the Virginia Business 500 Power List, recognizing influential business and policy leaders in Virginia.
Advises clients on legal, legislative and regulatory strategy across industries, including health care, energy, telecommunications, gaming and alcoholic beverage law
Represented a pari-mutuel horse racing licensee in gaming and regulatory matters before the Virginia General Assembly and state agencies, supporting continued operations in the commonwealth
Counsels a wine and distilled spirits distributor on regulatory compliance, licensing and business expansion strategy within Virginia’s alcoholic beverage framework
Counseled private health care companies on state government procurement strategy, identifying and securing contracting opportunities with state agencies while ensuring compliance with public sector requirements
Assisted an information technology services company in navigating regulatory approvals and legislative requirements to deliver broadband services to public schools across Virginia
Advised on the continued operation of Shenandoah National Park during a federal government shutdown, addressing federal regulatory and legislative challenges to minimize disruption and maintain compliance
Developed and led the Virginia Technology Alliance for Public Safety, a coalition of unmanned systems companies, to advance drone policy and unmanned aircraft legislation and successfully oppose restrictive measures in Virginia
Facilitated a partnership between a national technology company and Virginia higher education institutions to implement advanced classroom video technology, expanding access to upper-level coursework
Secured startup funding and state appropriations for the University of Virginia Center for Politics, supporting its growth as a national leader in civic education and public policy engagement
Represents clients before state legislatures, Congress and regulatory agencies on government relations, lobbying and compliance matters
Develops and executes multistate public affairs and advocacy campaigns, including stakeholder engagement, coalition building and grassroots mobilization
Advises on public-private partnerships, economic development initiatives and infrastructure policy, helping clients navigate government funding and investment opportunities
Virginia
Member, Virginia Bar Association
Member, Richmond Bar Association
Member, University of Virginia, Board of Visitors
Foundation Board, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia
Member, University of Virginia Center for Politics Advisory Board
Member, James Madison University Board of Visitors (2003-2011)
Member Executive Committee, VirginiaForever Board
Vice Chairman, MS Dinner of Champions (2017)
Member Executive Committee, NextUp, providing free after school programs for Richmond middle schools
Former Chairman, Goochland Economic Development Authority
Former Member, Board of the Goochland YMCA (2012-2017)
Co-Chair, Terry McAuliffe Inaugural Committee
Co-Chair, Ralph Northam Inaugural Committee
Co-Chair, Abigail Spanberger Inaugural Committee