Walker Roberts, a Principal at BGR Group, is a member of the firm’s International Practice. He advocates for foreign countries and individuals and assists U.S. and foreign companies with their business-to-business activities. He has successfully facilitated U.S. acquisitions and investments for several foreign firms and sovereign wealth funds, including securing U.S. government approval through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS). Walker also leads BGR’s lobbying efforts in assisting clients on immigration and visa-related matters, especially regarding high-tech issues.
Walker joined BGR in 2006 after serving nearly 17 years under four chairmen on the staff of the House Committee on International Relations, including as Deputy Staff Director under Chairman Henry J. Hyde from 2001 to 2006. In that capacity, he served as chief foreign policy aide to Chairman Hyde, and as principal advisor to the Republican Members of the Committee. Walker also served as the primary liaison to the Republican Leadership and Appropriations Committee on all legislative and oversight matters, including the State Department Authorization Act, the Export Administration Act and the Defense Authorization Act.
During his tenure with the International Relations Committee, Walker represented the Committee with foreign officials and ambassadors; he is well-regarded for his foreign policy expertise, particularly in the areas of foreign aid and security assistance, non-proliferation and export controls, and arms transfers and defense trade matters. He is especially proud of his role as lead advisor and negotiator on the law establishing U.S. policy and funding ($15 billion) for combating global HIV/AIDS and for his work on the law implementing the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations addressing visa and passport policy, terrorist sanctuaries and other foreign policy issues.
From 1987 to 1989, Walker served under President Ronald Reagan in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs, before which he worked on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee under Chairman Richard G. Lugar.
He received his Master of Arts from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, and his Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Denison University. Originally from Indianapolis, Walker lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife Leah and their three children, Holden, Maren and Drew.
Areas of Focus
- U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security
Education
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Johns Hopkins
M.A., Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies -
Denison
B.A.