The Trials and Tribulations of Living an Ethical Life on Capitol Hill

Faith and Law will host a panel of Capitol Hill veterans to explore ethical issues encountered by Hill staff, especially as they reach senior leadership positions. Panelists will share their stories of success and failure as they navigated the complicated ethical waters of the Hill. Discussion will be moderated by John Palafoutas, co-founder of Faith and Law.

Panelists include:

Mark Epley, Partner at Arnold & Porter. Epley previously served as Senior Advisor and General Counsel, Office of the Speaker of the US House of Representatives. He also served as General Counsel of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chief Oversight Counsel.

Melika Willoughby McKinnis worked in political strategy and communications for nearly the last decade. She held senior positions in both the House and Senate, was Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, served at the State Department, and was Communications Director for Kansas Governor Sam Brownback—a job she first tackled at 24 years old. She holds a B.A. in Politics with honors from Hillsdale College. Ms. McKinnis lives in Washington, DC with her husband Seth, now spending her days with the most intensive and rewarding principal of her career, their infant son, Brennan.

Bill Wichterman, Senior Advisor in Covington’s Public Policy practice. Prior to joining Covington, Bill served as Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and as the President’s personal liaison to the conservative movement. Before serving in the White House, he held a number of senior staff-level positions on Capitol Hill, including as Policy Advisor to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and Chief of Staff to Congressman Joe Pitts and Congressman Bill Baker.