Key Takeaways
- • Three senior Akin lobbying professionals—Brian Pomper (co-head of lobbying & public policy practice), Anna Abram (senior advisor), and Kelly Ann Shaw (partner)—have been named to Washingtonian's 500 Most Influential People Shaping Policy for 2026, marking their second consecutive year on the list.
- • Brian Pomper is recognized in the Tech & Telecom category as a leading advocate for stronger international intellectual property and trade rules on behalf of major technology and innovation companies.
- • Anna Abram is highlighted in the Healthcare category for her work on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act provision that expands the IRA's orphan drug price negotiation exemption to cover multiple orphan designations and indications for rare diseases.
- • Kelly Ann Shaw is distinguished in the Trade section for her expertise in navigating clients through complex tariff negotiations, a critical competency as U.S. trade policy remains volatile.
- • The recognition underscores Akin's influence across three high-impact policy domains: technology regulation, pharmaceutical pricing and healthcare policy, and international trade.
Summary
Akin's lobbying and public policy practice has reinforced its standing among Washington's most influential policy advocates, with three firm representatives earning repeat recognition on Washingtonian's 2026 list of 500 Most Influential People Shaping Policy. The trio—Brian Pomper, Anna Abram, and Kelly Ann Shaw—were also recognized in the prior year, signaling sustained impact on federal policy debates outside of government.
Brian Pomper, co-head of Akin's lobbying and public policy practice, is featured in the Tech & Telecom section and is recognized as a "leading advocate" for stronger international intellectual property and trade rules. His work represents a significant policy vector for technology and innovation companies navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment around IP protection and cross-border trade frameworks.
Anna Abram's recognition in the Healthcare category reflects her substantive policy work on orphan drug pricing provisions. Specifically, Abram is credited with work on a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that expands the IRA's orphan drug price negotiation exemption. The expansion allows the exemption to apply across multiple orphan designations and indications, provided each indication targets a rare disease—a technical distinction that materially affects the scope of price negotiation constraints on pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Kelly Ann Shaw, highlighted in the Trade section, has distinguished herself through her work helping clients navigate complex tariff negotiations. As tariff policy remains a contentious and volatile policy domain, expertise in this area carries direct financial implications for corporations with supply chain exposure to customs duties and trade barriers.
The collective recognition of these three professionals reflects Akin's depth of influence across critical policy domains—technology regulation, healthcare pricing and drug policy, and international trade—that directly impact investor returns and corporate valuations in the technology, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.
Brian Pomper, co-head of Akin's lobbying and public policy practice, is featured in the Tech & Telecom section and is recognized as a "leading advocate" for stronger international intellectual property and trade rules. His work represents a significant policy vector for technology and innovation companies navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment around IP protection and cross-border trade frameworks.
Anna Abram's recognition in the Healthcare category reflects her substantive policy work on orphan drug pricing provisions. Specifically, Abram is credited with work on a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that expands the IRA's orphan drug price negotiation exemption. The expansion allows the exemption to apply across multiple orphan designations and indications, provided each indication targets a rare disease—a technical distinction that materially affects the scope of price negotiation constraints on pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Kelly Ann Shaw, highlighted in the Trade section, has distinguished herself through her work helping clients navigate complex tariff negotiations. As tariff policy remains a contentious and volatile policy domain, expertise in this area carries direct financial implications for corporations with supply chain exposure to customs duties and trade barriers.
The collective recognition of these three professionals reflects Akin's depth of influence across critical policy domains—technology regulation, healthcare pricing and drug policy, and international trade—that directly impact investor returns and corporate valuations in the technology, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.
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