SEC chairman Arthur Levitt.

Bill Archer, who ended his 30-year stint with Congress on Jan. 2, will provide advice to the firm's clients on federal policy matters and will focus on trade and international tax issues.

"I will be available to consult with those clients and with any prospective clients," said Archer. "The operation is two-fold: to help clients and potential clients and to anticipate what problems they may have with the government and to help them solve those problems."

Archer quipped that learning the internal phone and computer system is the first project he plans to tackle in his new post. However, once the technology glitches are ironed out, Archer said he expects to help clients in a "rather broad area of coverage."

Archer, who has received more than a half-dozen awards, including the 2000 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Federation of Independent Business, will be based in the firm's National Tax Services practice in Washington, D.C., but he will be traveling to the Houston area on a regular basis, he said.

"There can always be an expansion of services to clients in the global market place, especially in the trade area," said Archer, who added that trade agreements are often coupled with controversy and there's always a need to provide clients with adequate advice.

In addition to advising clients on federal policy, Archer will also help the Big Five firm cultivate stronger relationships with companies in the Houston area.

-- By Antoinette Alexander

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