Edelman

Lester Edelman began his career as a lawyer in government service in 1958 with the Corps of Engineers. Since retiring from his government position in 1999, he has been with Dawson & Associates, Washington, D.C., as senior counsel/senior advocate. During more than four decades of public service, he influenced constructive change throughout the U.S. government and the construction industry as well.

In 1968, Edelman left the Corps to become counsel to the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, U.S. House of Representatives, where he helped write major legislation including the Clean Water Acts of 1972 and 1977, the Airline Deregulation Act, as well as other acts on water, highways, and mass transportation. He returned to the Corps in 1979 as chief counsel, and served with distinction for 20 years until his retirement. He continues to use informal dispute avoidance techniques on major national policy issues, including assisting in obtaining congressional authorization and enactment of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program. He has spoken at numerous public forums on government, the construction industry, and the legal profession.

He is married to Joan, and they have a son and a daughter and four grandchildren.