Rich Rosenthal Manitta Dzubin & Kroeger, LLP

Ludwig Gaines joined RRMDK after retiring from the Alexandria, Virginia City Council in 2009. Twice elected to Council, Mr. Gaines previously served on the City’s Planning Commission.

Mr. Gaines practices in the government contracting area with an emphasis on procurement programs, such as the small business, 8(a) and HUBZone programs, and representing mid-size and small business concerns, including Small Disadvantaged Businesses, disabled veteran, and women owned businesses. Additionally, his practice encompasses an array of government and commercial contracting areas, including bid protests and transactional matters, such as the negotiation and preparation of joint venture, teaming, shareholder, nondisclosure, consulting, and operating agreements. In addition, he advises clients on business strategies and structures, and the effects of various legislative and regulatory proposals on their business plans.

Mr. Gaines also provides clients nearly a decade of experience and expertise in the areas of land use, zoning and development as a former Planning Commissioner and two-term City Council Member.

Mr. Gaines is immediate past chair of the influential Policy and Development Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments (COG). His experience includes service on more than forty local, regional and national boards and commissions.

Prior to serving in elected office, Mr. Gaines practiced antitrust law with Morgan, Lewis, LLP and government contracts law and counseling. He is former judicial law clerk to District of Columbia Trial Judge of the Year Paul R. Webber III. Mr. Gaines has worked in the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York on the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force, the Office of the District Attorney for Allegheny County, PA., and was a foster care caseworker for the New York City Bureau of Child Welfare.

Mr. Gaines is a former Sloan Foundation Public Policy Fellow at the Harriman School of Public Policy and a graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government Leadership Institute for public officials and executives in business. He holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where he was elected student body president, student court justice, managed the student newspaper and, in 2003, was appointed Visiting Fellow for Ethics and Social Justice. He was the 2004 Hobart College Charter Day speaker.

Mr. Gaines holds a Juris Doctor from the Howard University School of Law, where he earned the nickname “Young Thurgood” due to his passion for civil rights, was elected Student Bar President, and was given the honor of delivering the student commencement address. Mr. Gaines would later join the Law School’s adjunct faculty. His commitment to public education led Mr. Gaines to teach over a thousand hours in the City of Alexandria public schools, fund academic scholarships and tutor and mentor at-risk youth. A public speaker in demand he has received several awards for his public service, including the DC Area Unsung Hero Award and local NAACP Community Service Award.

Mr. Gaines was born in St. Albans, New York, graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School, and is married to Crystal Flowers Gaines. They have a five year old son, Bryce. In 2009, the Gaines’s established The GAINES Foundation to further their community and philanthropic endeavors.

Memberships

Current

American Bar Association

Pennsylvania Bar

The GAINES Foundation

Child and Family Network Center Board

Virginia CARES Board

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Advisory Board

Alexandria, VA NAACP (Past Vice President)

Northern Virginia Urban League

Fathers in-Touch, Inc. Advisory Board

Old Town Civic Association

Charles Houston Public Art Committee

Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce

West End Business Association

Past

City of Alexandria Planning Commission

National League of Cities - Public Safety Committee

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Development Policy Committee, Chair

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board

Northern Virginia Transportation Commission

Northern Virginia Regional Commission

Washington Area Housing Partnership

Governor Timothy Kaine’s Emergency Preparedness Committee

Virginia Municipal League Public Laws Committee

City of Alexandria Economic Opportunity Commission

Municipal League Public Laws Committee

City of Alexandria Human Rights Commission

City of Alexandria Citizen Corps Council (Co-Chair)

City of Alexandria Community Emergency Response Team

City of Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Commission

City of Alexandria Community Gang Prevention Task Force (Co-Chair)

Alexandria Circuit Court Jury Commission

City of Alexandria Affordable Housing Initiatives Work Group (Co-Chair)

Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board

Mayor’s Pandemic Flu Task Force (Co-Chair)

Norfolk Southern Community Work Group

Carlyle Community Design Review Board

City of Alexandria Landlord-Tenant Board (Chair)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Committee

Taxi Industry Reform Task Force (Co-Chair)

City of Alexandria Recreation Needs Task Force

Alexandria City Attorney Search Committee (Co-Chair)

Alexandria Transit Company Board

Alexandria United Way (Vice Chair)

NOVA Alexandria Hospital Foundation Board

Northern Virginia Regional Fatherhood Committee Board

Prettyman-Leventhal Inn of Courts (DC)