Sam Lauter

Sam Lauter is a public affairs professional with more than two decades of experience in local, state and national politics. Lauter, a fifth-generation San Francisco native, utilizes his years of experience to manage Barnes Mosher Whitehurst Lauter & Partners' public affairs and lobbying business.

Lauter specializes in putting together public affairs strategies that include building relationships with the community and navigating the corridors of city halls or the State Capitol. Additionally, Lauter utilizes his extensive contacts in Washington, D.C., for the benefit of BMWL & Partners' clients. Lauter came to BMWL & Partners from Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) where he served as primary strategist in government and community relations for both San Francisco and San Mateo counties.

Prior to PG&E, Lauter worked for the San Francisco public relations firm of Barnes, Clarke Inc. His clients included energy companies, commercial and residential real estate developers and neighborhood small business owners. Lauter's work in public affairs, business and community relations won two Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil Awards.

Lauter's background gives BMWL & Partners unique experience in the public affairs arena for land use and corporate clients.

Lauter has staffed a variety of Democratic officeholders, including California Lt. Governor Leo McCarthy, where his responsibilities included field strategy, advance work, fundraising and speechwriting. Lauter also worked in Washington D.C. on the presidential campaign and on the Senate staff of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE), where he served as the Senator's personal assistant.

While in college Lauter served on the staffs of Congressman Philip Burton (DCA), and his wife and successor, Congresswoman Sala Burton. Lauter's responsibilities included constituent services, veteran's affairs, environmental issues and organizing for the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco.

Lauter is a key voice and fundraiser for the organized Jewish community in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Among Lauter's affiliations: Chairman Emeritus, Jewish Public Affairs Committee; Vice-Chair of the Northern California Region of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC); and member, National Executive Committee of AIPAC. He also serves or has served on several other boards, including the Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning, the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, the BayKeeper and the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR).

Lauter graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

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