Professional Staff
Barry Szczesny
Barry Szczesny works on all aspects of MFR’s full-service government relations program, including federal funding, advocacy, special projects, and technical assistance and analysis of federal legislative and regulatory issues from a legal perspective.
Prior to joining MFR, Mr. Szczesny (say, SEZ-nee) was an associate at the law firm of Eckhart, Kolak, LLC in Chicago, Illinois. At the firm, he advised a wide array of clients, including nonprofit organizations and foundations, and served as outside general counsel to The Art Institute of Chicago.
From 1996 to 2001, Mr. Szczesny was Government Affairs Counsel and Assistant Director of the Government and Public Affairs Department at the American Association of Museums ("AAM") in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for advancing the interests of museums primarily with regard to appropriations, tax, telecommunications, intellectual property, education, technology, nonprofit postal, and cultural property issues. Mr. Szczesny formulated and communicated policy and drafted legislation in consultation with the museum community, Congress, and federal agencies. He formed and led coalitions for action on various legislative and regulatory issues. In addition, he provided technical assistance to museums on legal and legislative issues.
Prior to AAM, Mr. Szczesny was Legislative Associate at the American Arts Alliance in Washington, D.C. where he lobbied Members of Congress and congressional staff on issues of interest to more than 2,600 nonprofit performing, presenting, and exhibiting arts institutions. In 1991, Mr. Szczesny was an Arts Administration Fellow in the Office of General Counsel at the NEA.
Mr. Szczesny has presented on a variety of legal and legislative topics at numerous conferences, including AAM’s Annual Meeting, regional and state museum association conferences, the American Law Institute-American Bar Association’s “Legal Problems of Museum Administration,” and AAM’s annual “Current Issues in Intellectual Property” seminar. He conceived and inaugurated the “Law and Ethics” column for AAM’s Museum News. He also assisted in developing and editing AAM’s A Museum Guide to Copyright and Trademark.
Mr. Szczesny received his law degree from Wayne State University Law School and his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan. He is admitted to the Bar in Illinois and Michigan.
Professional Staff