Josh Hess, senior director of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), directs and advances legal reform advocacy efforts across the 50 states as part of ILR’s state team.

Hess joins ILR from the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served as district director for Rep. H. Morgan Griffith (VA-09). In this role, he oversaw district operations, led staff management, and directed stakeholder engagement while executing the congressman’s policy priorities. Representing a large, predominantly rural congressional district, Hess worked closely with federal, state, and local officials, as well as business leaders, higher education institutions, and community organizations to navigate complex issues, advance policy initiatives, and strengthen intergovernmental collaboration.

He began his career as an assistant to The Honorable Charles H. “Chuck” Slemp III in the Wise County and City of Norton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in Wise, Virginia.

Hess earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the University of Richmond and his Juris Doctor from George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School.