WASHINGTON — Government relations firm Ballard Partners has launched a bipartisan communications division, Ballard Media Group, which is being run by alumni from the Trump and Clinton administrations — Raj Shah and James (Jamie) Rubin.

“With increasing frequency, we are asked for sophisticated media relations and public affairs counsel beyond our lobbying practice. We are assembling this team, led by Raj and Jamie, to provide the same results in the communications and public relations arena that we have developed a reputation for providing in the lobbying world,” said Brian Ballard, the firm’s president and founder.

Shah, who has joined the firm as partner, spent the last two years in the White House, most recently serving as principal deputy press secretary. He oversaw strategy and communications for the White House’s effort to confirm US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Previously, Shah was research director and deputy communications director at the Republican National Committee.

In his new role, Shah will serve clients consistent with post-government restrictions on the activities of senior White House officials and political appointees of the Trump Administration.

Rubin, who joined Ballard in 2018, served as assistant secretary of state for public affairs in the Clinton Administration and was the state department’s chief spokesman. A leading voice on foreign affairs, he has served as a senior foreign policy advisor to four Democratic presidential campaigns and has taught at the London School of Economics and Columbia University.

His role includes provide strategic and crisis counsel on a full range of domestic and global matters. “These times call for collaboration and strategic thinking across every discipline and, working with Raj, our team will provide our clients with unique insights and value,” said Rubin. “For organizations looking to navigate an ever- changing landscape and communicate at the intersection of policy and politics, they need to look no further.”