Kate Durkin serves as a Vice President with McAllister & Quinn working across practice groups to empower clients through advocacy services and legislative, regulatory and political guidance and analysis.
Prior to joining the firm, Kate spent nearly a decade on Capitol Hill, beginning her career as a law clerk and departing as chief of staff. Most recently, Kate was Chief of Staff for Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) where she led all legislative, political, communications, and constituent services strategies for the Congresswoman, including her work as a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and as a subcommittee Chair on the House Energy & Commerce Committee and Budget Committee member. In this role, she proudly led a team of 20, managed office operations across D.C. and Illinois and served as the Congresswoman’s chief advisor on a wide range of legislative and political issues.
Prior to that, Kate spent several years as the Congresswoman’s Legislative Director where she played a pivotal role in advancing key priorities into law, including securing over $35 million in community project funding for the 9th District of Illinois as well as increased funding for programs and grants that benefited nonprofits, community health centers, small businesses, public schools, and universities throughout Illinois and the nation.
A native of Macomb, Illinois, Kate earned her B.A. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and J.D. from St. Louis University. She is a proud Americorps VISTA and Federal Public Defender alum and remains committed to community service. Kate currently resides in Northern Virginia with her husband Mark and their dog Jack.
Affiliations
- Bar Admissions, Illinois and Missouri
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Illinois State Bar Association