Robert William 'Bob' Goodlatte is an American politician, attorney, and lobbyist who served as the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 6th Congressional District from 1993 to 2019. A Republican, he chaired the House Judiciary Committee from 2013 to 2019, overseeing legislation on federal courts, administrative agencies, and law enforcement. His district, based in the Shenandoah Valley, encompassed cities like Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Staunton. Goodlatte advanced conservative policies on immigration, national security, and constitutional issues, including efforts to reform patent laws and oppose certain gun control measures. Before entering Congress, he worked as a staff aide for Congressman M. Caldwell Butler from 1977 to 1979 and practiced law privately from 1980 to 1993. Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, he graduated from Bates College with a degree in Government and earned his law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law. After retiring from Congress in 2019, Goodlatte transitioned to lobbying, founding his own firm, Robert W. Goodlatte. His tenure was marked by involvement in high-profile investigations, such as those related to Russian election interference. Goodlatte's influence extends through his networks in conservative circles, with a focus on technology policy, agriculture, and Second Amendment rights, reflecting his district's rural and manufacturing base.