Long Island University Appoints Christopher Williams University Director of Government Relations Former Congressional Counsel to Head University’s Government Relations Operations Brookville, NY Long Island University, the seventh-largest private university in the nation, has named Christopher Williams of Huntington Station, NY, University director of government relations. In this capacity, Mr. Williams will serve as the University’s liaison with elected officials at the national, state and local levels, and will manage the University’s state and federal consultants. A practicing attorney, Mr. Williams brings a wealth of experience in legal and government affairs to his new role at the University. He previously served as counsel and district director for Congressman Rick Lazio, running the representative’s New York Office and advising him on legal, political and ethical matters. Mr. Williams handled constituent services, media relations, correspondence and case management, speech writing and legislative/issue analysis for Congressman Lazio. In addition, he served Suffolk County for over 13 years, holding executive positions ranging from director of voter information to chief of staff in the Suffolk County Legislature to senior assistant county attorney. Ultimately, Mr. Williams became the executive assistant district attorney of Suffolk County, where he was responsible for the daily operations and intergovernmental relations of one of the nation’s most highly regarded law enforcement agencies. Most recently, Mr. Williams served as a special deputy inspector general and senior investigative attorney for the Office of the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority Inspector General, assisting the inspector general with the investigation of fraud, waste, abuse and criminal conduct within the nation’s largest public transportation system. He played a key role in promoting MTA initiatives through government relations, developing relationships with elected officials and government agencies in the federal, state, city and local arenas, drafting legislative initiatives and providing analyses of legislative efforts. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help further Long Island University’s mission of access and excellence." Mr. Williams declared. "I look forward to strengthening its relationships with elected officials at every level of government." Mr. Williams graduated from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center and holds a B.A. in political science from SUNY Albany. He shares his expertise in trial practice and criminal law and procedure with the next generation, serving as an adjunct professor at both Touro and NYIT. The New York State Bar Association presented him with a Distinguished Service Award in 1999.