Chris Shields

shields@txstrategy.com
Austin, TX

Chris Shields has worked in and around the Texas capitol for more than 20 years. For the past 15 years, Chris has managed an independent legal and legislative consulting practice that represents the interests of Texas corporations, business and trade associations, coalitions and public sector entities before the Texas Legislature and various state agencies. Chris joined Texas Strategy Group as its managing partner earlier this year.

Chris’ professional career began as an associate in the tax and public law sections of the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski. Since that time, Chris has built on his background in these areas to become an expert on issues relating to the state’s tax and economic development laws. As a result, Chris has been integrally involved in the initial drafting, subsequent amendments and lobbying efforts relating to almost every one of the state’s major economic development statutes. Chris has also developed expertise in several other areas, most notably transportation, energy, and a wide range of appropriations related matters.

Prior to establishing his independent practice, Chris was Vice President for Governmental Affairs at the Texas Chamber of Commerce for four years where he managed the legislative strategy and policymaking process for close to 300 chambers of commerce and several hundred Texas businesses. Before coming to the Texas Chamber of Commerce, Chris was the Legislative Director and Deputy Legislative Director to Governor William P. Clements, Jr., where he was directly involved in every aspect of the legislative process on the Governor’s behalf, including representing the Governor on the floors of the House and Senate and advising the Governor on a wide variety of legislative issues. Chris also served in a senior staff position for Secretary of State Jack M. Rains.

Chris graduated from the University of Texas School of Law with honors and holds an A.B. Degree in American Politics from Princeton University.