February 5, 2018 – National law firm Lowenstein Sandler is proud to announce that lawyer Steven Llanes has been selected to the Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program, a historic collaboration among the presidential centers of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. This selective program brings together a diverse group of leaders to strengthen their capabilities by learning firsthand from past American presidents, cabinet members, senior officials, and top academics.

Llanes joined Lowenstein Sandler in 2013 and is a member of the firm's Litigation Department and White Collar Criminal Defense group, where he focuses on corporate and government investigations as well as data privacy and cybersecurity. A resident of Montclair, New Jersey, Llanes is the son of Cuban immigrants. He received a B.A. in political science from Saint Peter's University, an M.A. in public policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law. Prior to joining Lowenstein Sandler, he served as a White House appointee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a member of the administration of President George W. Bush. Following 9/11, he coordinated the U.S.-UK Joint Contact Group, an international alliance to promote cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity, intelligence, and counterterrorism.

"I am honored and humbled to be selected to participate in the PLS program," said Llanes. "I look forward to meeting the other scholars and to bringing the lessons I will receive back home to serve New Jersey and our communities."

"We are immensely proud of Steven's professional accomplishments," said Michael B. Himmel, chair of Lowenstein Sandler's White Collar Criminal Defense group, "and this latest honor further confirms what an asset he is to the firm and our clients."

Like the rest of the PLS scholars, Llanes was selected after a rigorous application and review process. Scholars are chosen based on their leadership growth potential and the strength of their personal leadership projects aimed at improving the civic or social good by addressing a problem or need in a community, profession, or organization. Llanes is focusing his leadership project on New Jersey's immigrant community through engagement and education in American civics.

Over the course of several months, the scholars will travel to each participating presidential center to learn from former presidents, key former administration officials, and leading academics. They will study and put into practice varying approaches to leadership, develop a network of peers, and exchange ideas with mentors and others who can help them make an impact in their communities. The program kicks off in Washington, D.C., on February 6.

To learn more, visit www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org. For updates about PLS, use #PLScholars, and follow @PLSprogram on Twitter and Medium.