The Top 50 NYC Lobbyists 2021

New York City is at a turning point. Although COVID-19 cases are dropping, the pandemic isn’t over. The city is still reversing the shutdowns that hammered entire industries, and the local economy remains in recovery mode. Meanwhile, voters are deciding who should lead city government for the next four years – and not just in the mayor’s race but also in contests for city comptroller and in more than half of the seats in the New York City Council. 

As they grapple with these uncertainties, many private-sector and nonprofit stakeholders are relying heavily on the city’s leading government relations firms to navigate a path forward. In our latest Top 50 NYC Lobbyists list, City & State identifies the leading lobbying outfits, as well as their top executives and key clients, while also offering each firm a chance to share its latest accomplishments and its insights about what’s on the horizon for the city. 

This list is made up of the city’s top 50 lobbying firms, as measured by 2020 lobbying compensation figures compiled by the Office of the New York City Clerk. While the city clerk publishes a list of the top 10 firms each year, we took its raw data and crunched the numbers to rank another 40 top firms – all of which took in hundreds of thousands of dollars last year. The ranking is based solely on these official sums and differs only in that City & State combined any firms that are under the same corporate leadership. 

We’re pleased to present New York City’s top 50 lobbyists. 

1. Kasirer

Suri Kasirer, President

Julie Greenberg, Executive Vice President

Kara Hughes, Senior Vice President, Corporate & Legislation

Omar Toro-Vaca, Senior Vice President, Real Estate

Lester Marks, Vice President, Nonprofits

Compensation: $14,164,808.63

Key industries: Nonprofit, real estate, hospitality, technology, health care

Notable clients: Restaurants Organizing Advocating Rebuilding (ROAR), Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC), Target, Community Service Society, Lincoln Center

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year? 

We’re most proud of connecting many of our clients to address the city’s most urgent needs during the pandemic. For example, we knew that individuals employed by the restaurant industry were facing massive job losses while also serving as front-line workers, so we partnered with the new coalition, Restaurants Organizing Advocating Rebuilding. We led ROAR and city agencies in designing the outdoor dining program that helped resuscitate a devastated industry, and saved thousands of jobs by successfully negotiating reopening phased indoor dining with the city and state. Most recently, we coordinated with ROAR and a multi-agency taskforce to launch the first-of-its-kind mobile vaccination unit to reach restaurant workers directly in the neighborhoods where they live.

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

Even before the pandemic, we’ve had the opportunity to pivot much of our work toward collaborating more closely with communities than ever as we connect our clients with the most local concerns that impact their goals. That can mean conducting community engagement workshops and listening sessions for a real estate client to understand what amenities a neighborhood needs; helping a nonprofit expand its programming to underserved communities in an effort to broaden its impact; or connecting a national business client to community-based organizations to realize corporate social responsibility goals and aid disadvantaged populations. We only see this commitment to civic service as growing in tandem with our city’s recovery.

What are your clients looking for in 2021? 

Our clients are most looking to understand the tumultuous political climate and make sense of how to position themselves for success. The political winds are shifting at such a rapid pace, with articulate constituencies finding their voices and emerging candidates pushing experimental policy, with long-standing members of our city’s civic and business leadership struggling to keep apace. We provide clients with clear guidance on how to maneuver any scenario, and reach out to unexpected stakeholders to forge relationships and develop necessary support that can resonate across a spectrum of future political realities.

2. Capalino

Jim Capalino,CEO

Mark Thompson, Executive Vice President and Group Leader

Jeanne Mullgrav, Group Leader

Keith Tubbs, Principal

Ashley Thompson, Principal

Compensation: $9,901,095.12

Key industries: Real estate, sustainability, social services/nonprofits, health care, hospitality/entertainment

Notable clients: Macy’s, Somos Community Care, UPS, Times Square Alliance

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

Our successful rebranding and growth as an urban strategy firm. Expanding upon our four decades of expertise in lobbying, Capalino now provides services focusing on strategic planning, finance, social impact, sustainability and real estate. We also launched a successful webinar series called “The Future of New York” with major thought leaders and celebrities. Finally, we worked with many of our clients to support efforts by government to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure their organizational survival and success both during and after the pandemic.

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

First, new leadership will take office in New York City in 2021, rapidly changing the political landscape and affecting the reopening of our city. The impact of this election, as well as with implementing ranked-choice voting for the first time, will be felt across all business sectors and communities as leaders develop a roadmap for New York City’s economic recovery. Second, technology and automation are transforming the way we do business in New York and interact with government. Whether we’re working with a start-up, growth stage or Fortune 500 company, Capalino has been helping clients navigate this uncertain political and business climate and implement the right decisions for long-term, sustainable growth.

What are your clients looking for in 2021?

We are spending a lot of time with clients thinking through the future of their organization. For example, how to adjust to a new normal post-COVID and opportunities with new federal and city governments. This work not only includes lobbying but also corporate and institutional strategic planning, capitalization of projects and initiatives, real estate ventures and social and environmental responsibility.

3. Bolton-St. Johns

Emily Giske, Partner

Mike Keogh, Partner

Juanita Scarlett, Partner

Samara Daly, Partner

Teresa Gonzalez, Partner

John Albert, Partner

Anne Marie Anzalone, Partner

Violet Moss, Partner

Compensation: $6,752,194.04

Key industries: Technology, transportation, affordable housing, nonprofit service, cultural affairs, land use

Notable clients: TechNYC, New York Immigration Coalition, United Way, GrowNYC, Hudson Companies, Girls for Gender Equity & LGBT Network

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

We are proud to continue to be one of the most diverse firms in New York City, reflecting the values and fabric of this city. At the beginning of this year, we were excited to promote John Albert, Anne Marie Anzalone and Violet Moss as partners. John, Anne Marie and Violet are exemplar of the commitment and passion our team has to offer to clients across a variety of industries. Additionally, we are proud of the accomplishments that our team have been able to secure on behalf of clients, most notably supporting organizations that have been at the forefront of delivering critical services to New Yorkers such as food security, medical services and employment assistance.

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

The largest change facing our sector has been the remote environment that we are living in. Both government and clients have been faced with creating virtual opportunities to learn about their constituency and policy priorities across sectors. As New York continues to vaccinate, we hope to see a return to more traditional interactions when it is safe to do so.

What are your clients looking for in 2021? 

As New York continues to rebuild and reinvent itself, clients are looking for ways to support government and its initiatives, to promote widespread social and economic opportunity across New York City. Similarly, 2021 is a critical year in New York City politics when more than two-thirds of the City Council will be turning over at the end of the year. Clients are eager to work with candidates and future elected officials in shaping the next chapter in New York City history to ensure more access in underserved communities and more equitable opportunities for all.

4. Constantinople & Vallone Consulting 

Anthony Constantinople, Principal

Perry Vallone, Principal

Compensation: $5,669,402.00

Key industries: Energy and environment, education and nonprofits, telecommunications, affordable housing, transportation

Notable clients: Waste Management, T-Mobile, TD Bank, Walgreens, Hanwha Energy, YAI

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year? 

Two achievements that stand out are C&V's success in siting New York State's largest battery energy storage project on what used to be the Charles Poletti Power Plant in Astoria, a major advancement toward clean energy goals set forth in the CLCPA, and helping with the successful creation of a Flushing Waterfront Special District, bringing new publicly accessible open space and economic development to Queens. 

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

The city and state's steadfast commitment to a transition to renewable energy has given our firm the opportunity to work on numerous projects in the energy space that are helping to make this transition a reality. We are excited to continue to work on these projects in energy storage, solar, wind and electric vehicle charging in the years to come. 

What are your clients looking for in 2021?

More than anything, our clients are looking to accelerate New York's recovery. We're lucky to have clients that are just as invested in New York's success as we are, and in 2021 we're looking forward to building back stronger, together. 

5. Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno

Robert J. Bishop, Founding Member

Jon R. Del Giorno, Founding Member

Vito R. Pitta, Member

Carlos Beato, Member

Compensation: $4,826,526.51

Key industries: Public and private sector organized labor, construction, health care, transportation, social services, criminal justice

Notable clients: Transportation Workers Union, Consortium for Worker Education, ASPCA, Public Health Solutions, Corrections Officers Benevolent Association, New York City Coalition of Operating Engineers

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

The Pitta Bishop team played a critical role in the shepherding the line-of-duty death benefit for the dependents of uniformed service members and enhanced benefits for dependents of all civil service employees who lost their lives due to exposure to COVID-19 while on the job. We were able to assist our clients within developmentally disabled community to obtain newly required certifications so their employees could continue to work with their clients. 

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

This is a citywide election year, the mayor, comptroller, four of the five borough presidents and (currently) 32 of the 51 members of the City Council are either term-limited or not running for re-election. Several more council members were recently elected in special elections to fill vacancies. Additionally, the amount of public funding that candidates can receive through the New York City Campaign Finance Board’s program has increased significantly, and this will be the first citywide election to utilize ranked-choice voting in the primary election. The combination of the large number of open council seats, increased public funding for campaigns, and the implementation of the RCV system has resulted in an unprecedented number of first-time and never-before-elected candidates seeking office. With such a prospective sea change in the number of elected city representatives, we have worked with many of our clients to conduct candidate screenings, and to educate candidates, some of whom are neophytes to the political process, on those issues important to our clients and their constituencies.

What are your clients looking for in 2021?

Like everyone the world over, our clients are hopeful that the COVID-19 pandemic is subsiding and a return to “normalcy” is on the horizon. All eyes are on Washington, D.C., and on U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, who is leading the fight to pass enabling legislation to address our nation’s and our region’s long neglected infrastructure needs, including bridge, road and school repairs; the Gateway Tunnel Project; the Second Avenue Subway extension; development of off-shore windfarms; coastal management and flood protection projects; renewable energy generation facilities; affordable housing; upgrading underground sewer and plumbing systems; and developing internet infrastructure. These are only a sampling of the projects which will finally come off the drafting tables and will hopefully create tens of thousands of good paying union jobs and bolster our working and middle classes, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

6. Greenberg Traurig

[[{"fid":"14416","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"12":{"format":"default"}},"attributes":{"height":600,"width":410,"style":"width: 250px; height: 366px; float: left;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"12"}}]]

India Sneed, Associate

Ellen Gustafson, Assistant Director

Compensation:$4,571,504.20

Key industries: Real estate/land use, technology, city service providers (e.g.

franchises and concessions), hospitality, nonprofits

Notable clients: JCDecaux, AT&T, NYU Langone Hospital, WNET, Hunts Point Cooperative Market Inc., The Broadway League

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

Videoconferencing enabled us to stay in close contact with clients and city officials – and enabled us to participate in more meetings! At the outset, we implemented daily video calls with our group, which proved to be a major component to our success this past year. Clients affected by the crisis, whether regarding government contracts or the need for government approvals, have been served seamlessly, and that is a testament to our entire team of professionals as well as our credibility we have with decision-makers. In this challenging environment, we were proud to assist American Lion to close on a landmark transfer of development rights from a DOT parcel that the Ed Koch Queensborough Bridge ramps passes through. The project includes open space and public plazas under the ramps, paid for by the developer. The project received the support of Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and the local Court Square community group with whom the developer and GT lawyers worked closely.

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

Due to the uncertainty over the city and state budget, we maintained our focus on federal legislative proposals for economic stimulus packages directed at states and localities. We worked closely with our Washington, D.C., colleagues who specialize in federal government affairs to track the federal stimulus package and monitor the federal elections. Going forward, we continue to monitor the New York City elections and hold regular briefings with our clients on candidate proposals, with emphasis on the June primaries which will reshape a majority of the New York City government in January 2022.

What are your clients looking for in 2021?

Our clients love this city and want nothing more than to spur the local economy while succeeding for themselves while they help with post-COVID recovery. Our focus remains to bring all sides to the table and educate key stakeholders about our clients’ projects while highlighting the community and economic benefits they include. Given the high number of citywide elections which will result in a complete overhaul of city government in January, we encourage the new (and incumbent) elected officials to work with the private sector and provide clarity from the outset. With this in mind and in our civic-minded culture, G.T. has held a number of virtual meet and greets with candidates for the various city races. It’s provided the opportunity for clients to get to know each candidate, ask questions and learn about their campaign priorities and plans for New York City. Similarly, candidates have had the benefit of listening to business leaders from a variety of industries to understand their concerns and ideas for moving the city forward.

7. Cozen O'Connor and Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies

[[{"fid":"11205","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"14":{"format":"default"}},"attributes":{"height":1800,"width":1286,"style":"width: 179px; height: 250px; float: left;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"14"}}]][[{"fid":"11206","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"15":{"format":"default"}},"attributes":{"height":700,"width":1050,"style":"width: 375px; height: 250px;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"15"}}]]

Katie Schwab, Practice Director

Stuart Shorenstein, Chair of the New York City and State Practice

Compensation: $3,980,916.31

Key industries: Banking and financial services, nonprofit, higher education, real estate, cannabis

Notable Clients: The New York City BID Association, New York University, Canopy Growth, The Whitney Museum, Pratt Institute

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year? 

In a year where nothing was normal, we found effective tools and strategies to succeed for our clients. In the face of a severe budget crisis, we secured over $20 million in discretionary expense and capital funding for our non-profit clients in the FY21 NYC budget. We helped our clients craft and implement small business relief programs to support diverse neighborhoods, and advanced pragmatic policies that convinced the Legislature to legalize two entirely new industries, adult use cannabis and sports betting, across New York state.

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

The 2021 election cycle has added both uncertainty and excitement to our work. The impending departure of dozens of elected officials has added a sense of urgency to many advocacy campaigns, just as it has injected new policy issues into the spotlight. We have worked purposefully to ensure our clients’ success becomes part of these officials’ legacies, as well as to ensure that they are prepared to meet the challenges and priorities of the new members who will arrive in 2022.

What are your clients looking for in 2021?

As always, our clients are seeking a combination of technical expertise, first-rate service, political wisdom and assurances that they are equipped to navigate a rapidly changing political landscape. Our clients have been very appreciative of the information we’ve been able to share from our colleagues around the country and in Washington about initiatives to respond to the pandemic and inequality issues in other cities and states, and we intend to leverage this expertise to help solve problems and facilitate New York’s recovery.

8. Davidoff Hutcher & Citron

Howard S. Weiss, Senior Partner and Chair, New York City Land Use Group

Melissa J. Chapman, Government Relations Specialist

Compensation:$3,240,421.00

Key industries: Real estate, land use, construction, New York City budget, legislation and regulation, economic development, hospitality, health care, social services, cannabis regulation

Notable clients: The Hunts Point Produce Market, Cord Meyer Development, SCO Family of Services, Coney Island Holdings LLC, Brooklyn Nets LLC

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year? 

Although COVID-19 dramatically altered how our government affairs professionals interact on behalf of clients, our firm found success in advocating for our broad spectrum of clients to ensure continued effective representation on all levels of government. We were especially pleased, for example, to succeed in ensuring the safe reopening of the Coney Island amusement parks and other parks around the state in time for this summer season. Through a combined effort of our partners in government and our firm’s knowledge on regulatory and health guidelines, we were able to have a direct hand in the reopening.

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

With New York’s recent legalization of adult-use cannabis as well as expansion of the state’s existing medical marijuana and cannabinoid hemp programs, there will be a growing influx of new players and interests in the field who require government relations representation with local governments as well as the state. The legalization of marijuana is bringing new business owners at every level, from growers to distributors to retail establishments. As a result, we have developed a full-service practice focused on expansion of the cannabis industry in New York City and at the core are DHC’s government relations attorneys and lobbyists.

What are your clients looking for in 2021?

More than ever, our clients seek our guidance in navigating government – in relation to the New York City budgetary process, land use process, procurement and its complicated regulatory environment. Virtual interaction having become the principal medium of communication, and with the unique ways that government has been conducting business, clients have found it more difficult to interact on their own with elected officials and agency officials. During the last year, the firm’s government relations clients have tended to place even greater reliance on our firm’s strong relationships with government stakeholders and our ability to adapt to the times to seamlessly provide them with effective representation.

9. Fried Frank

Zachary Bernstein, Real Estate Partner

Tal J. Golomb, Real Estate Partner

David Karnovsky, Real Estate Partner

Melanie Meyers, Real Estate Partner

Carol E. Rosenthal, Real Estate Partner

Compensation: $3,198,924.84

Key industries: Real estate and land use

Notable clients: Tishman Speyer, Vornado Realty, RXR, Northwell Health, The Durst Organization, The Trust for Governors Island

10. Geto & de Milly

Ethan Geto, Principal

Michele de Milly, Principal 

Compensation: $3,120,500.00

Key industries: Real estate and land use, professional sports, pre-K-12 education, hotels, nonprofit sector, including social services, LGBTQ+ advocacy, criminal justice reform, culture and the arts

Notable clients: The Howard Hughes Corporation, Property Markets Group, New York City Football Club, PepsiCo, New Alternatives for Children 

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

It's inspiring to be moving projects forward that are key to New York City's post-pandemic economic recovery, including the large-scale Brooklyn Gowanus rezoning, and the visionary plan for redevelopment in the South Street Seaport Historic District, which received New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission approval after decades of failed attempts. These projects will spur economic growth, create jobs, increase affordable housing and add public open space. We're also quite proud of the strong support and funding we have been able to secure for our nonprofit and advocacy clients, particularly criminal justice reform and educational efforts.

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

The need to build more housing, accommodate new ways of working and ensure inclusion and equity predates the pandemic, but has only grown more urgent. There is now a clarion call in New York and across the country to create affordable housing near transit, good jobs and open space. We are pleased to be collaborating with forward-thinking clients and architects who are engaging in smart urban planning that is economically viable, sustainable and works for cities while benefiting local communities. Additionally, the upcoming generationally significant transition in our city’s municipal leadership in January will bring big changes, and we're ready to provide our clients with crucial guidance and insight.

What are your clients looking for in 2021?

Our clients are 100% committed to being part of New York City's recovery – whether they are Fortune 500 companies, real estate developers, smaller businesses, social service nonprofits, academic institutions, sports teams, recreation centers or literary and cultural organizations. The Geto & de Milly team is here to ensure our clients leverage all opportunities, obtain the necessary funding and get the governmental approvals they need to keep projects on schedule and on budget to realize their goals. We ensure that our clients are on top of the relevant issues impacting the business and civic life of New York, with an emphasis on the upcoming municipal elections. 

11. CMW Strategies

Michael Woloz, President and CEO

Compensation:$3,104,899.92

Key industries: Transportation, cultural and nonprofit, technology, corporate, retail, hospitality

Notable clients: Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade, American Museum of Natural History, Instacart, Cisco Systems, National Supermarket Association

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year? 

We were thrilled to see Bird, the e-scooter company we have been consulting for since 2018, win an RFP to provide shared e-scooters that will start in the Bronx this year. We led the charge to get e-scooters legalized in both the city and the state. 

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

The turnover of citywide offices like mayor and comptroller and local City Council seats will be a major change, and engaging with their offices will be different than past transitions due to the still mostly remote nature of our new work environment.

What are your clients looking for in 2021?

Our clients are eager to see the city bounce back strong and are looking to a new crop of elected officials and government administrators who will bring tourists back to our city, breathe new life into our economy and get creative in the ways we reimagine what it means to live and work in New York.

12. MirRam Group

Eduardo Castell, Managing Partner

Catherine Torres, Partner

Compensation: $2,920,750.00 

Key industries: Real estate, health care, corporate, cultural and nonprofit, labor

Notable clients: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, The Coca-Cola Co., Community Housing Improvement Program Inc., Montefiore Medical Center, Transport Workers Union, Local 100

13. The Parkside Group

Jake Herring, Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel

Stephanie Olcese, Vice President

Paul Thomas, Partner

Compensation: $2,482,225.01

Key industries: Technology, sports and gaming, energy and telecom, nonprofit, labor

Notable clients: AT&T, Brooklyn Nets, CAMBA Inc., Microsoft, 32BJ SEIU

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

We are obviously proud of all of the incredible victories we helped achieve for our clients in New York City. But, if you force us to pick one, it has to be our work on behalf of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1500 – New York’s largest supermarket union. During the height of the pandemic, we helped these essential workers secure vital personal protective equipment during a time of scarcity and worked with the de Blasio administration to secure child care for their members at city-run sites.

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

Putting aside how government will transition from remote operations back to a semblance of normalcy, the biggest development on the horizon will obviously be the wholesale turnover in city government coming at the end of this year due to term limits. Understanding who the new leaders of the city will be, the issues that drive their candidacies, and how best to frame our clients’ messages to these officials is what we do best. That’s why we have been able to help our clients successfully navigate mayoral and council speaker transitions in the past and why we will do so again in the months ahead.

What are your clients looking for in 2021?

The key to successful city government relations in 2021 is to continue pressing for current priorities while planning for the future. Our clients are obviously relying on us to navigate the current budget process and advance their causes before the de Blasio administration and the current class of City Council members leave office at the end of this year. But at the same time, our clients are looking to understand what’s next for the city. Who will the mayor, comptroller, and City Council speaker be next year? What will their agendas be? Our clients want to know how best they can align their interests before city government with the priorities of the city’s elected leadership, and vice versa.

14. The Wright Group NY

Emily Contillo, Chief of Staff

Compensation: $2,449,650.00

Key industries: Nonprofit organizations, including health and human services, art and cultural institutions, juvenile justice, immigration rights and affordable housing

Notable clients: African Communities Together (ACT), Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corp, Carnegie Hall, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC), Sauti Yetu Center

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

This year, we started a conversation series with our clients, including discussions during Black History Month and Women's History Month, with more planned. This past year has taken an incredible toll on the nonprofit community, and we must help our clients connect with one another around the shared humanity of this work. We bring organizations together to learn from one another, while giving a platform to the many incredible leaders we are proud to represent. Our mission has broadened but remains centered on helping our clients thrive, so that they can uplift the communities they represent and serve.

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

Every lobbying firm helps its clients pursue, apply for and secure city funding. After a year with a scarcity of available funding followed by what appears to be a year of surplus funding (first at the federal level and then at the state level), we've paused to ask ourselves if we are really helping our clients achieve sustainable success. We have now spent months listening and serving as a sounding board, and are better positioned to understand what they truly need for long-term success. We work with our clients to help them strengthen their infrastructure, to develop and support a strong board, to join coalitions that can uplift their work – whatever it is that they need us to help guide them through – pulling from what we've seen in our experience, and often learning together as we go. Side by side, we will figure out what they need in order not just to survive budget cycle to budget cycle but to thrive. 

What are your clients looking for in 2021? 

After a year of so much uncertainty, our clients are looking for as much stability as possible in 2021. Realizing that a single catastrophe could undo years of progress in so many communities has created a renewed sense of purpose both for our firm and for the organizations we are honored to represent. We must focus on coalition building and community-led strategies in order to stabilize these organizations so that they can sustain the compounding crises of the moment and weather future storms. 

15. Yoswein New York

Jeffrey Denman, Vice President

Christopher Carroll, Senior Manager, Legislative and Government Affairs

Compensation:$1,851,100.00

Key industries: Real estate development, technology, educational and cultural nonprofits, trade organizations, health care

Notable clients: Wegmans Food Markets, Amazon, New York City Hospitality Alliance, Brooklyn Public Library, Two Trees Management

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

In a year that saw government become more important than ever, YNY was proud to ensure that our clients – and the New Yorkers they serve – had access to the governmental services and resources they so desperately needed. From securing small business assistance funding and helping the restaurant industry reopen to supporting public school students and essential health care facilities, we were honored to help New York City get through 2020 and prepare for a safe, fair and equitable recovery in 2021.

Apart from COVID-19, what’s one big change that has affected your work?

The closures of City Hall and the state Capitol have fundamentally changed the way advocates, nonprofits and government affairs professionals interact with legislators and staff over the past year, which has offered both challenges and opportunities. The good news is that there has been an opportunity to “dig deeper” on some issues in a way that may have been challenging previously via brief conversations on the City Hall steps, but on the flip side, developing personal relationships is obviously more challenging via Zoom meetings and conference calls. 

What are your clients looking for in 2021?

With so much uncertainty still facing numerous industries and organizations, clients are really seeking the information and guidance – and, frankly, the confidence – necessary to reopen, reinvest and ultimately succeed in New York City. We’ve long believed at YNY that good lobbyists can serve as bridges between clients and government and generate better, smarter public policy, and it’s becoming clear that this proven ability is more important than ever in 2021.

16. Mercury

Jan Feuerstadt, Partner 

Jonathan Greenspun, Managing Director

Compensation:$1,724,649.00

Key industries: Real estate, transportation, technology, energy, nonprofits

Notable clients: OUTFRONT Media, New York Residential Agent Continuum (NYRAC), Treetop Development, TLC Virtual Resiliency, ECOncrete

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

Mercury represented clients who championed equitable cannabis legalization. With the passage of this legislation, we are proud it will accelerate entrepreneurship, job creation and economic development and prioritize marginalized communities. Additionally, Mercury strategized with the Asian American Federation to formulate and promote its emergency response to the increase in hate crimes targeted at the AAPI community. As we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Mercury was integral in creating the Task Force for Vaccine Equity and Education, which was instrumental in creating and developing the “Roll Up Your Sleeves” campaign.

17. Brown & Weinraub

Sabrina Shulman, Senior Adviser

Patrick Lespinasse, Partner and Senior Adviser

Compensation: $1,486,454.00

Key industries: Health care, energy, infrastructure development, financial services, advanced technology

Notable clients: Motorola Solutions, New York Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers, DoorDash, CrowdStrike, Crown Castle

18. Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates

Patrick Jenkins, President

Dwayne Andrews, Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Compensation: $1,366,874.98

Key industries: Education, nonprofits, transportation, finance

Notable clients: Charter Communications, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, HNTB, Uber, JPMorgan Chase

19. Kramer Levin

Paul D. Selver, Partner, Co-Chair

Gary R. Tarnoff, Partner, Co-Chair

Elise Wagner, Partner

Valerie G. Campbell, Partner

James P. Power, Partner

Compensation: $1,360,403.12

Key industries: Real estate and land use

Notable clients: The Gotham Organization, L&L Holding Co./Columbia Property Trust, The Shubert Organization, New York Blood Center, Vornado Realty Trust

20. Stroock

Ross Moskowitz, Partner

John B. Egnatios-Beene, Special Counsel

Compensation:$1,278,629.52

Key industries: Real estate, private partnerships, life science

Notable clients: FWRA LLC

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

In what is one of the largest private investments in New York, Stroock was proud to represent a coalition of three developers, organized as FWRA LLC, for their plan to create a new Special Flushing Waterfront District alongside Flushing Creek in Queens, which won approval from the New York City Council in December. The new district will transform and clean up a dilapidated, contaminated area into a new publicly accessible, two million square foot plus neighborhood with residential, hotel and commercial spaces as well as a new waterfront esplanade, road network and open space for the community.

21. RG Group

Alan Rosenberg, Partner

Catherine Giuliani, Partner

Gregory Mitchell, Associate

Compensation: $1,141,500.00

Key industries: Technology, consulting, energy, real estate

Notable clients: KPMG, Oracle America, Broadcom, Red Hat, Transit Wireless

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

RG Group prides itself on being the "go-to firm" for technology companies doing business in New York. Despite the impacts of COVID-19, that mission hasn't changed. In the past year, RG Group has successfully guided its clients through the COVID-19 crisis, identified shifting needs, navigated through uncertainty and budget challenges and helped position them as partners to government.

22. Park Strategies

David Poleto, Managing Director and Partner

Compensation: $1,139,990.00

Key industries: Hospitality and tourism, transportation, health care, construction, real estate, financial services, energy

Notable clients: Deloitte, Exxon Mobil, Expedia, CenturyLink Communications

23. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Judith Gallent, Partner and Head of Planning and Zoning, US

James Colgate, Partner

Compensation:$1,080,547.70

Key industries: We represent all stakeholders in the New York City real estate industry, including private property owners, lenders, educational and nonprofit institutions, public authorities and utilities.

Notable clients: Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Empire State Development Corporation, Breaking Ground, Janus Property Co., Archdiocese of New York

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

We are proud to have represented Breaking Ground in the rezoning of 90 Sands Street in Brooklyn to facilitate the conversion of a 29-story hotel to over 500 units of supportive housing for formerly homeless adults and affordable housing for low and moderate income adults.

24. TLM Associates

Thomas McMahon, Founder and President

James McMahon, Partner

Compensation: $907,075.00

Key industries: Affordable housing, economic development, energy

Notable clients: Northrop Grumman, Bank of America, American Petroleum Institute, Community Preservation Corp., Waterfront Alliance, The Doe Fund

25. Fontas Advisors

George Fontas, Founder and CEO

Compensation:$819,262.00

Key industries: Tech, real estate, financial services, transportation, nonprofit

Notable clients: Dell, Google, LeFrak, Rose Associates, New York Road Runners

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

Our people are our most important asset. We’re proud to have made it through the COVID-19 pandemic with our team intact and a focus on creating win-win opportunities for the city and state of New York and our clients. As we exit the crisis, our compass is pointing north with a focus on superior client services and results.

26. Tusk Strategies

Chris Coffey, New York and New Jersey Practice Leader

Eric Soufer,Managing Director

Yvette Buckner, Managing Director

Compensation: $805,000.00

Key industries: Tech, nonprofit, education

Notable clients: Arc of Justice, NYCLASS, Bird, Pymetrics, Unqork, Latch

27. Herrick Feinstein

Mitchell A. Korbey, Partner and Chair of Land Use and Zoning

Compensation:$751,718.44

Key industries: Real estate and land use

Notable clients: Toby Moskovits, Jed Walentas

28. McBride Consulting & Business Development

DuWayne Gregory, Senior Vice President and Director of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practice

Angelina Ramirez, Senior Executive Consultant and Director of our Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise Practice

Compensation:$741,300.00

Key industries: Construction, affordable housing, energy / renewable energy, transportation, health care 

Notable clients: Gramercy Group Inc., Conifer Realty, Suez Water, Eversource Energy, Henry Schein

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

McBride Consulting and Business Development Group was fortunate to persist and survive the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020. Our greatest achievement in the past year has been survival and having the ability to continue delivering quality services to all of our clients. We succeed when others do and our achievement lies in delivering value to our clients to help them communicate with government officials and industry leaders, develop their company and protect their business!

29. b2gny Group

Gino Menchini, Principal

Compensation: $733,000.00

Key industries: Technology, sustainability, transportation, health/human services, finance

Notable clients: Crown Castle, Dell, Gaeta Interior Demo, Palo Alto, Mason Technologies

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

We helped our clients help New York City respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. They helped by deploying 5G and providing fiber connectivity to locations throughout the city; providing and distributing thousands of devices to students and government workers; implementing the technology to support telecommuting and distancing learning; and reducing the cost of government operations when the city’s finances were in peril. Our team’s extensive experience in government during previous emergencies, such as September 11th and previous health crises, helped our clients to New York City.

30. The Carey Group LLC

Regina DeMilia, Senior Vice President

Compensation: $652,500.00

Key industry: Real estate

Notable clients: Triangle Equities, The Rabsky Group

31. Bender Cantone Consulting

Bruce Bender, Principal and Co-Founder

Scott Cantone, Principal and Co-Founder

Compensation: $609,550.00

Key industries: Real estate, transportation, gig economy, cultural institutions, nonprofit, startups

Notable clients: Independent Drivers Guild, Brooklyn Museum, Hospital for Special Surgery, Trinity Place Holdings

32. The Ickes and Enright Group

Harold Ickes, Principal

Kevin McCabe, New York Office Leader

Compensation: $583,500.00

Key industries: Culturals, health care, finance, tech

Notable clients: American Beverage Association, Election Systems & Software, Northwell Health, MasterCard

33. TBA

Tonio Burgos, CEO

Compensation:$572,014.52

Key industries: Health care, labor, nonprofits, transportation

Notable clients: Limo Association of New York, Amtrak, RXR Development Services, Pfizer, Visa, American Airlines, Greater New York Hospital Association

34. Gotham Government Relations & Communication

Bradley Gerstman, Founding Partner

David Schwartz, Founding Partner

Nicole Epstein, Senior Associate

Compensation: $528,000.00

Key industries: Real Estate, transportation, technology, nonprofit

Notable clients: Red Apple Group, Chabad Lubavitch Community Center of Northeast Queens

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

Our biggest achievement by far has been our ability to connect our clients with key decision makers during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was falling off its axis and businesses and other entities had such great uncertainty, our firm continued to work tirelessly to obtain the crucial answers needed to keep going. We will never forget this period of time and the commitment our entire team had in serving our valued clients during this scary and confusing time.

35. Akerman

Steven Polivy, Chair, Economic Development and Incentives Practice

Compensation: $517,729.50

Key industries: Real estate, retail, nonprofit

Notable clients: Home Depot, Maddd Equities, Maimonides Medical Center, Project Renewal, Burlington Coat Factory

36. Statewide Public Affairs

Jim Quent, Partner

Christopher Duryea, Managing Partner

Compensation: $501,000.00

Key industries: Nonprofits, restaurant and hospitality, beverage construction, transportation

Notable clients: National Restaurant Association, The Coca-Cola Co., Special Olympics New York, Coalition for the Homeless, DoorDash

37. Beaudoin & Co.

Heather Beaudoin, Principal

Compensation: $465,845.00

Key industries: Labor, law, construction

Notable clients: Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Teamsters Joint Council 1

38. The Advance Group

Scott Levenson, President and Founder

Sebastian Levenson, Executive Director

Compensation: $456,000.00

Key industries: Labor, nonprofit, property, health care

Notable clients: CWA Local 1180, Community Voices Heard, Homecrest Community Services, New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, New Yorkers for Mental Health Alternatives

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year?

While navigating a vastly changed environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were proud to deliver for our clients. This year, we helped make sure clients had access to funding opportunities, continued to work with CWA 1180 on Local Law 18 and the soon to be published report highlighting pay disparity among women of color in city agencies, and worked with Homecrest Community Services to help curb the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes.

39. Capitol Consulting 

Jeffrey S. Leb, Managing Partner

Compensation:$437,500.00

Key industries: Nonprofit, land use, education, health care, social services

Notable clients: EmblemHealth, Success Academies, The Blue Card - Aiding Holocaust Survivors In Need, The Jewish Board, Teach NYS

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year? 

Capitol Consulting’s biggest achievement over the past year was twofold: We successfully helped our clients navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic by increasing access to resources, while navigating the many layers of city and state government. We made sure that budget requests for COVID-19 assistance from our not-for-profit clients were granted expeditiously and that our land-use clients received positive and timely outcomes.

40. Robert A. Ungar Associates

Robert Ungar, Principal

Compensation: $435,827.72

Key industries: Construction, labor, tech

Notable clients: Building Trades Employers’ Association, Accenture, Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York, Local 2507 Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics & Fire Inspectors FDNY, Uniformed Fire Alarm Dispatchers Benevolent Association, Uniformed EMS Officers Union, Infor

41. George Arzt Communications, Inc.

George Arzt, President

Compensation:$421,100.00

Key industries: Real estate, construction, education, health care

Notable clients: Gilbane Building Co., New York Blood Center, Lend Lease, JCDecaux North America

42. 99 Solutions

Jacqui Williams, Principal

Compensation: $405,000.00

Key industries: Real estate, telecommunications, cannabis

Notable clients: Real Estate Board of New York, Tishman Speyer

43. Converge Government Affairs New York

Bruce Rudolph, Partner

Elnatan Rudolph, Managing Partner

Compensation:$347,400.00

Key industries: Health care, nonprofit, higher education

Notable clients: Yeshiva University, Touro College, The Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale

44. Nicholas & Lence Communications

Cristyne L. Nicholas, Co-Founder and CEO

George Lence, Co-Founder and President

Compensation:$335,000.00

Key industries: Travel and tourism, transportation and infrastructure, business improvement district formation and expansion, real estate, nonprofits

Notable clients: Statue City Cruises, NYC Ferry operated by Hornblower, The Durst Organization, Fordham Road BID, New York Coalition of Code Consultants

What was your firm’s biggest achievement in the past year? 

Nicholas & Lence Communications established a new division, NLC BID, specializing in spearheading and advising business improvement districts. NLC currently advises BIDs such as the Belmont BID, Fordham Road BID, Lincoln Square BID, Long Island City Partnership, Times Square Alliance and Downtown Staten Island on navigating public relations, government affairs, managing community and political engagement and BID formation and expansion.

45. Urban Strategies

Michael Klein, Founder and President

Compensation: $335,000.00

Key industries: Education, nonprofit, advertising, real estate

Notable clients: Outfront Media Group, The Urban Dove

46. Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

Lloyd Sigal, Principal

Compensation:$332,235.00

Key industry: Real estate, architecture

Notable client: BP 347 Madison Associates LLC

47. HR&A Advisors

John Alschuler, Board Chair

Compensation: $330,000.00

Key industry: Real estate

Notable clients: Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc., Richard Lam

48. Stanley K. Schlein, Esq.

Stanley Schlein, Principal

Compensation: $323,500.00

Key industries: Tech, real estate, elections

Notable clients: Airbnb, Maddd Equities, Dominion Voting Systems, New York Hall of Science

49. Global Strategy Group

Justin Lapatine, Partner, Public Affairs

Compensation: $305,250.00

Key industries: Real estate, education

Notable clients: RXR, Newsela

50. Adams Advisors LLC

Amelia Adams, President

Compensation: $303,800.00

Key industries: Education, good government

Notable clients: Common Cause New York, Partnership for New York City, Bard College, Uber, The Legal Aid Society