Kirby Howard

Prior to joining Dykema, Kirby led government affairs for Continental AG, a global tire, automotive, industrial, and technology company. There, he managed a broad policy portfolio spanning transportation, telecommunications, infrastructure, manufacturing, trade, energy, tax, environment, and emerging technologies. He developed and executed advocacy strategies across state, federal, and international levels, led regulatory engagement, and built coalitions from diverse stakeholders to advance policy priorities and business interests. His work included policy development, regulatory engagement, coalition-building, standards advocacy, and executive briefings across business segments for strategic planning. Kirby regularly represented the company before Congress, federal agencies, and international governments, while aligning global public affairs objectives with North American legislative and regulatory developments.

Kirby previously served on Capitol Hill with the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he supported a wide-ranging legislative agenda and portfolio. He also held roles on a presidential campaign and in a senior congressional office, further grounding his expertise in policymaking, communications strategy, and political operations.

Kirby is fluent in Spanish and holds a B.A. from Auburn University. He has also studied and lived in Spain, where he spent several years working and traveling the world.  His cross-cultural experience and global policy insight strengthen his ability to advise clients with multinational operations and cross-border interests.