FORMER U.S. CONGRESSMAN

Bill Owens returned as a partner to Stafford Owens in January 2015. Prior to serving in the U.S. House, Congressman Owens was in private practice in Plattsburgh for thirty years. As the U.S. Representative for New York’s 21st District (previously 23rd) for five and a half years, Congressman Owens developed a deep understanding of issues directly impacting his constituents, including matters related to U.S.-Canada trade, healthcare and agriculture.

In his new role at Stafford Owens, Congressman Owens utilizes his experience to provide clients with well-informed, strategic counsel based on a thorough knowledge of North Country business and related legislation and regulations. What sets Stafford Owens apart, according to Owens, is the “unique skill sets of our attorneys, the commitment to client service which brings added value to the work they do”. He continues his service to the business community to help build the economy and create jobs by focusing on corporate structures and transactions (acquisitions, sales and mergers), as well as succession, estate and tax planning.

Congressman Owens has joined the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. as a board member as well as the Canadian American Border Trade Alliance where he will continue to engage with other professionals involved in the U.S.-Canada trade relationship.

While in Congress, Congressman Owens served on the Agriculture Committee, Armed Services Committee, Homeland Security Committee, and Small Business Committee. In his final two year term, he served on the exclusive House Appropriations Committee including the Subcommittee on Defense and the Subcommittee on Homeland Security. Congressman Owens authored five pieces of legislation which were signed into law during his tenure in Congress: three of which were provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill that had a direct, positive impact on the lives of the farmers in his district.

IMPORTANT PUBLICATIONS:

• Canada-United States Law Journal, 2015 Investment Arbitration Under NAFTA Chapter 11: A Threat to Sovereignty of Member States?
• Canada-United States Law Journal, 2012, Beyond the Border: A New Chapter in North American Trade
• Edmonton Journal, November 5, 2014, New Frontiers Await NAFTA Partners
• Transport Topics, November 10, 2014, Upgrade Border Ports of Entry

SPEECHES & PRESENTATIONS:

• University of Calgary, The Impact of the US Presidential Election on the US/Canada relationship November 9, 2016
• Houlihan Lokey 14th Annual Aerospace Defense Government Conference Washington, DC October 8, 2016 – Election 2016
• San Diego Chamber of Commerce The Status of the 2016 Presidential Election San Diego, CA September 26, 2016 – Election 2016
• US/Canada Border Conference in Detroit, Michigan September 19-20, 2016, on the topic of “Preclearance – the Stakeholders Prospective” and its impact on the US/Canadian border
• The CANAMBTA Conference, Washington, DC October 2-4, 2016 on the status of Pre-Clearance legislation
• US/Canada Relations at John Hopkins University, October 5, 2016 The Impact of the US Presidential Election on the US/Canada relationship
• CANAM Border Trade Counsel, October 6, 2015, Washington D.C. - Moderator for the Congressional Panel - The View From the Hill
• Conference du Montreal, June 8-10 2015, Montreal QC - Panelist: U.S. Growth & the Challenges for Quebec Firms
• Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) 25th Annual Summit, July 12-16 2015, Big Sky, Montana - Panelist: Discussion including Legislative Response on Oil Car Safety & Capacity; Oil Tank Car Regulatory Status & Future Capacity Shortfalls
• US Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, August 13 2015, Montreal QC - Panelist with the Honorable Betty Sutton, Administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority & the Honorable Jean-Claude Lauzon, Quebec Delegate General to New Article Exclusions & Adjustments to Gross Income
• San Diego Chamber of Commerce, September 29 2015, Washington D.C. - Panelist with Ron Fishman Discussing the Political Climate in Washington D.C.
• Ottawa Economic Association Conference, April 1 2015, Ottawa ON - The North American Competitiveness Conference
• North American Competitiveness Conference, March 2 2015, Wilson Center Washington D.C. McClean’s Magazine TV Show, Panel Member, March 2015
• Texas-Chihuahua-New Mexico Regional Economic Competitiveness Forum, September 11-12 2014, El Paso TX - Speech Entitled: A Tale of Two Borders: Capitalizing on Mexico & Canada - Albany NY
• North American Competitiveness Conference, October 2014, Toronto CA

REPRESENTATIVE BOARD & COMMUNITY SERVICE:

• Arrow Financial Board Member
• Advisory Board to Quebec Delegate General to New York State
• Appointed by Governor Cuomo to the North Country Health and Systems Redesign Commission 2013-2014
• Appointed by the Governor as a Panelist on the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP)
• The University of Vermont Health Network as of January 2017
• Board Member of JCEO