Power Lists
The 2023 New York State Top 50 Lobbyists
Government relations pros guiding the Empire State.
City & State presents the 2023 New York State Top 50 Lobbyists. Timothy H. Raab; Natalie Cartz; Submitted
Who are the top lobbyists in New York?
Well-established firms such as Brown & Weinraub, Kasirer and Bolton-St. Johns lead the way in total lobbying compensation. Boutique firms like Fontas Advisors and Catalyst Government Relations have smaller client lists but are just as effective. And upstarts like Moonshot Strategies and Hollis Public Affairs have quickly made their presence felt.
Government relations firms of all shapes and sizes are featured in City & State’s latest top state lobbyists list. This list, which is based on an analysis of 2022 compensation figures reported to the state Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, features the top 50 firms – all of which raked in over a million dollars last year.
Some of these firms handle campaigns or communications too, but only lobbying dollars are counted. Organizations lobbying on their own behalf were omitted, and lobbying entities in the same corporate family were combined. Each firm was asked to share their biggest accomplishment and to specify a few key industries and clients – which were pulled from public filings for those that didn’t respond.
Each firm also had the opportunity to highlight a few executives. Among them are principals, deputies and a number of well-known former elected officials, from Tim Bishop to Corey Johnson to Jeff Klein, Todd Kaminsky and Keith Wright.
We’re pleased to present the Top 50 New York State Lobbyists.
1. Brown & Weinraub
LouAnn Ciccone, Senior Adviser
Dan Sheppard, Senior Adviser
Mary Beth Labate, Senior Adviser
Biggest achievement:
Brown & Weinraub secured $19 million in the state budget for the redevelopment of One Monument Square on the Troy riverfront for the city of Troy and its developer Hoboken Brownstone. After extensive community outreach, the plan will consist of mixed-income housing, retail space, a waterfront park and a parking garage.
Key industries: Health, energy, technology, economic development, cannabis
Notable clients: Ørsted Wind Power North America, IBM, PERMA, Healthcare Association of New York State, Endeavor, Light & Wonder, UnitedHealth Group, New York State Dental Association, New York State Society of Physician Assistants
Other key employees: Alex Betke, Carolyn Kerr, Michael Cassidy
2. Kasirer
Suri Kasirer, President
Julie Greenberg, Executive Vice President
Jen Blum, Senior Vice President, Operations and Administration
Biggest achievement:
Kasirer led the strategy for The New York Climate Exchange’s bid to serve as the anchor institution for the development of a world-leading climate solutions center on Governors Island. The Exchange will build a first-of-its-kind international center for developing and deploying dynamic solutions to the global climate crisis, while also acting as a hub for New Yorkers to benefit from the rapidly evolving green economy. The project will create thousands of jobs and generate over $1 billion in economic impact, serving thousands of students and workforce trainees annually and up to 30 businesses through its incubator program.
Key industries: Nonprofit (education, food, senior, health, criminal justice, workforce, housing, arts and culture, youth); real estate (commercial, residential, industrial); trade associations (movie/TV production, hospitality); corporate (technology, transportation, health care, media and communications); retail
Notable clients: SL Green, Google Cloud, Nontraditional Employment for Women, New York Building Congress, Genesis Companies
Other key employees: Omar Alvarellos, Jen Rivera, Jovia Radix, Lester Marks, Eldad Gothelf, Mike Braun
3. Bolton-St. Johns
Tom Connolly, Managing Partner
Giorgio DeRosa, Senior Partner
Emily Giske, Senior Partner
Mike Keogh, Partner
Juanita Scarlett, Partner
Patrick J. McHugh, Partner
John Albert, Partner
Violet Moss, Partner
Anne Marie Anzalone, Partner
Teresa Gonzalez, Partner
Samara Daly, Partner
Prisca Salazar-Rodriguez, Partner
Biggest achievement:
BSJ is excited to be working with a diverse array of clients across many sectors to secure impactful wins across the city and state. In 2022, BSJ helped secure millions of dollars for clients, including $17 million for a St. Regis Mohawk elementary school, $40 million to assist homeowners through homeownership counseling agencies and an additional $4 million for after-school programs in New York City. Our team is also proud to have helped The Black Car Fund pass legislation to extend its member benefits program, impacting thousands of drivers across New York City. Additionally, BSJ helped clients expand environmental education programs as part of a citywide ecological sustainability plan created to address climate change impacts.
Key industries: Energy and environment; health care; affordable housing; nonprofit; education; technology
Notable clients: Verizon, Live Nation, Tech:NYC, New York Immigration Coalition, Montefiore
Other key employees: Mike Keogh, Juanita Scarlett, Patrick J. McHugh, John Albert, Violet Moss, Anne Marie Anzalone, Teresa Gonzalez, Samara Daly, Prisca Salazar-Rodriguez, John McCarthy, Brette McSweeney, Bill McCarthy Jr., Keyla Antigua, Blaise DiBernando, Robin Brown, Justin Berhaupt, Julie Jursik, Joey DeRosa, Debra Feinberg, Sarah Bangs, Jose Rodriguez
4. Greenberg Traurig
Elizabeth Garvey, Shareholder
Todd Kaminsky, Shareholder
Ellen Gustafson, Assistant Director
Biggest achievement:
We worked with Micron Technology and GlobalFoundries in their efforts to locate and expand semiconductor manufacturing facilities in New York state. This included assisting GlobalFoundries in its efforts to expand its current location, which has been a game-changing project for upstate New York, and representing Micron on its public-private partnership, resulting in one of the largest economic development projects in U.S. history. We also assisted JCDecaux, the world’s largest street furniture company, in extending its 20-year Department of Transportation contract by five years through the 2026 New York/New Jersey World Cup, and Hornblower in winning EDC’s award of a new seven-year NYC Ferry contract.
Key industries: Real estate; health care; renewable energy and environment; technology; election and compliance law; transportation
Notable clients: New York Racing Association, city of Rochester, Hornblower, JCDecaux, NYU Langone Health
Other key employees: Deborah Stevens, Christopher Del Giudice, Jonathan Bing, Robert Harding, Pam Madeiros, Jane McLaughlin, Michael Murphy, Quinn Caruthers, Lynelle Bosworth, Christopher Cernik, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Mascialino, Ed Wallace, Laura Evangelista, Mark Glaser, Zackary Knaub, Jane Preston, Doreen Saia, Maria Maloney, Caroline Brancatella, Nicola Coleman, Elizabeth Sacco, Henry Greenberg, Eileen Hayes, Deirdre Carson, Dan Egers, Jay Segal, Nick Hockens, Allison Curreri, Michael Zoltan, Steve Russo, Tricia Asaro, Michael Berlin, Harold Iselin, Samir NeJame
5. Ostroff Associates
Rick Ostroff, President and CEO
Diana Ostroff, Chief Operating Officer
Biggest achievement:
We were proud to be a partner in the effort to increase New York state’s film tax credit in this year’s budget. Since its inception, this incentive has attracted a plethora of diverse productions, solidifying New York’s position as a hub for the film industry. However, with the static annual allocation and intensifying competition from neighboring states, our local production numbers faced a decline. This year’s budget marked a significant milestone in elevating the state’s tax credit, setting the annual cap at $700 million until 2034. This expansion ensures unparalleled stability for the film sector, reaffirming New York as the nation’s leader for film and television production.
Key industries: Economic development; hospitality and gaming; financial services; health care; energy and environment
Notable clients: Anheuser-Busch, Everytown for Gun Safety/Moms Demand Action, NextEra Energy, Buffalo Bills, Siemens
Other key employees: Anthony Rodolakis, Marc Hiller, Evan Sullivan, Andrew Kennedy, Dan Fuller, Jay Holland, Liz Misa, Jessica Morelli, Amy Kramer, Nick Morelle
6. Park Strategies
Kevin Bronner Jr., Managing Director
Megan Osika, Vice President
Tom Buchan, Vice President
Biggest achievement:
To complement our continued client growth in new practice areas, we have embarked upon a rebranding endeavor, complete with a new logo and website. This rebrand represents a key step in our continued journey to develop the firm and advance the exceptional quality service that our clients have come to rely upon.
Key industries: Insurance; health care; hospitality and nightlife; cannabis; transportation; construction; real estate/housing
Notable clients: Waste Management, Deloitte, Capital District Transportation Authority, Nassau Hub Master Developer, Suffolk County PBA
Other key employees: John Jay Bove, Fred Hiffa, Mike Wilton, Joe Rossi, Ryan Moses, Mike LiPetri, Tom Wickham, Bill McGahay, Trevor Bend
7. Hinman Straub
David Previte, Principal
Wendy Saunders, Director
Janet Silver, Principal
Biggest achievement:
We have continued expanding our expertise and secured client successes during and beyond the budget/legislative session. Hinman has continued its long-standing focus on health care. In an ever-changing health care landscape, we’ve remained at the forefront of latest trends, collaborating with clients to achieve successful outcomes using customized approaches. We’ve declared legislative victories, securing funding increases for health care providers, and preventing various legislation from coming to fruition that would negatively impact our clients. We’ve expanded expertise surrounding the cannabis industry in New York state, forging partnerships with clients to bolster missions of growth/sustainability in the market, while navigating them through regulations and governmental hurdles.
Key industries: Health care; education; labor; financial services; energy and environment; human services; gaming; transportation; cannabis
Notable clients: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Con Edison, Estee Lauder, Association of Private Colleges, Toyota
Other key employees: Sean Doolan, Estibaliz Alonso, Benjamin Bodner, James Carr, Katy Coleman, Heather Evans, Jonathan Graves, Matthew Leonardo, Julie Marlette, Caron O’Brien, Matthew O’Connor, Brittany Vogel
8. Mercury
Charlie King, Partner
Jan Feuerstadt, Partner
Jake Dilemani, Partner
Biggest achievement:
Mercury worked with an incredible team on Ava’s Law, which Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into New York state law in October. Ava’s Law mandates the state Health Department to develop and provide resources, informational materials and outreach programs to support women recovering from a miscarriage, stillbirth or termination for medical reasons. The law also ensures that New Yorkers experiencing this loss are provided with the critical help they need to support both mental and physical recovery.
Key industries: Health care; climate and energy; real estate; fintech/technology; cannabis
Notable clients: Montefiore, Wynn Resorts, ZoomInfo Technologies, PharmaCann, Universal Music Group
Other key employees: Jonathan Greenspun, Pat Halpin, Tara L. Martin, Patrick McCarthy, Lisa Reid, Nancy Sciocchetti, Deanne Braveman, Edu Hermelyn, Malik Wright, Wesley Clayton
9. Constantinople & Vallone Consulting
Anthony Constantinople, Partner
Perry Vallone, Partner
Jordan Press, Managing Director
Biggest achievement:
Our diverse areas of practice make choosing one achievement tough. Over the course of 2022 we worked with clients to help the city and state advance toward environmental and renewable energy goals. We steered major rezonings creating affordable housing such as the Hallett’s North project, and successfully advocated for state policy to expand development opportunity. We’ve provided our corporate and technology clients with regulatory stability in a fast-changing environment. Most importantly, we expanded our team with recent hires that bring diverse experiences, increase our ability to impact legislation, and execute strategically and decisively for our clients.
Key industries: Renewable energy; technology and telecommunications; affordable housing and land use; nonprofits and budgetary clients; transportation
Notable clients: T-Mobile, YAI, Lyft, TD Bank, Walgreens
Other key employees: Peter Vallone Sr., Tony Constantinople, Andrea Reres, Carol Swift, Steve Williams, Lauren George, Yanni Trittas, Joe Newman, Antoinette Wilson, Jonathan Reyes, Isabel Lane, Maricela Cano, Amiyah Young
10. MirRam Group
Eduardo Castell, Managing Partner
Catherine Torres, Partner
John Emrick, Partner
Biggest achievement:
Over the past year, the MirRam Group’s continued growth and success at both the city and state levels has translated into tens of millions in funding for our nonprofit clients who provide invaluable social services for vulnerable New Yorkers, passage of key client legislative priorities and approval of several community-based development projects that will strengthen neighborhoods by providing critical services and helping to tackle the city’s affordability crisis.
Key industries: Health care; nonprofit; labor; energy; development/real estate
Notable clients: Greater New York Hospital Association, Hispanic Federation, Rise Light & Power, FPWA, Queens Future
Other key employees: Onida Coward Mayers, Dana Carotenuto, Matthew R. Smalls, Ana Chireno, Stephanie Arroyo, Pedro Carrillo, Rhay Guillen
11. Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno
Vito Pitta, Co-Managing Partner
Robert Bishop, Founding Member
Jon Del Giorno, Founding Member
Vincent Pitta, Chair and Managing Member
Biggest achievement:
We are proud to have finally achieved the Groundbreaking of Hope House on Crotona Park in the Bronx that will provide an alternative to incarceration for those with serious mental illness. We were able to navigate the rezoning for a future Bio Life Science Center in East Harlem and, in our first year representing them, we were able to successfully advance contract negotiations between the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association and the city of New York – signing their first contract in over a decade.
Key industries: Labor; nonprofit/advocacy; education; health care; social services
Notable clients: AARP NY, Bally's Corporation, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, New York City Coalition of Operating Engineers, Sandy Hook Pilots Association
Other key employees: Steven Ileka, Bradford Gonzalez-Sussman, Tanjila Rahman, Tony Quesada, Ardian Tagani, Theresa Cosgrove, Andre Mozeak, William Farrell, Salvatore Cassano
12. Capalino
James Capalino, Founder and CEO
Travis Terry, President
Ashley Thompson, Managing Director
Biggest achievement:
Civic Hall at Union Square: When RAL was awarded the RFP to develop a tech training center on 14th Street and Irving Place, Capalino helped shepherd the project through the public review process and develop the structure for a community advisory board with local stakeholders. Another achievement is helping to elevate with policymakers the issue of the backlog of child care background checks and draft legislation to ameliorate it. With demand for child care growing, these delays hinder providers’ ability to recruit and retain staff and provide high-quality programs for families across the city.
Key industries: Real estate; nonprofits; technology; entertainment, hospitality and tourism; health care and life sciences
Notable clients: Adobe, UPS, Times Square Alliance, RIP Medical Debt, Grand Street Settlement
13. Davidoff Hutcher & Citron
Sid Davidoff, Founder and Government Relations Practice Chair
Keith Wright, Director, Strategic Planning
Melissa Chapman, Associate Director, Government Relations
Biggest achievement:
DHC’s government relations practice worked with the Hunts Point Produce Market to secure over $370 million in city, state and federal funding to create a 1 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art intermodal facility. Through a coordinated city, state and federal government affairs strategy, DHC was able to work with the New York City Mayor’s Office, New York City Economic Development Corp., U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Ritchie Torres, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development and the Assembly. The revitalization will support food infrastructure, create union jobs, reduce emissions and increase food security in New York City for years to come.
Key industries: Construction, education, manufacturing, nonprofits, real estate
Notable clients: AT&T, Ferrovial, Helen Keller Services, NYC & Co., Warner Bros. Discovery
Other key employees: Steve Malito, Jeff Citron, Howard Weiss, Sean Crowley, Lou Coletti, Arthur Goldstein, Bianca Rajpersaud, Zack Fink, Charles Capetanakis, Jonathan McCollum, Nicole L. Weingartner, John B. Kiernan, Nick Antenucci, Jake Roach, Nick Terzulli, Eli Gewirtz
14. Dickinson & Avella
Eglantina Haxhillari, Legislative Director
Michael Avella Jr., Government Affairs Associate
Biggest achievement:
This was an exciting year for our clients. We were able to continue reforming New York’s elections space by passing some significant voting rights policies. We helped multiple clients advocate for expanding mental health treatment access to help New Yorkers in need and helped pass bills to ensure better testing for cancer and improved access to critical medication. We increased STEM education funding and led advocacy efforts for improving security at at-risk institutions.
Key industries: Technology; voting/elections; education; labor; sports/entertainment; finance
Notable clients: Hotel Trades Council, Verizon, Center for Secure and Modern Elections, Carvana, Orthodox Union/Teach NYS
Other key employees: Michael Avella, Christina Dickinson
15. Cozen O’Connor and Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
Rose Christ, Co-Chair, New York Practice
Katie Schwab, Co-Chair, New York Practice
Biggest achievement:
Under the leadership of recently named co-Chairs Rose Christ and Katie Schwab, our firm expanded its client base and added two seasoned lobbyists with deep expertise in budgeting, housing and state legislation. Working closely with Cozen Public Strategies’ federal, multistate and strategic communications professionals, we are providing personalized, team-based services and delivering results for clients across New York. Successes included obtaining over $40 million in discretionary funds for New York City-based nonprofit organizations and successfully navigating the ULURP process on behalf of nonprofit housing developers.
Key industries: Nonprofit and cultural organizations; banking and financial services; technology; real estate and housing; higher education
Notable clients: Central Park Conservancy, Coca Cola, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York University, Boston Dynamics
Other key employees: Stuart Shorenstein, Jamie Ansorge, Maura Avington, Katrell Lewis, Zak Malik, Nathan Toth
16. The Parkside Group
Kalima Johnson, Vice President
Dan Katz, Executive Vice President
Ben Kern, Senior Vice President
Biggest achievement:
Over the past year we have had several huge wins for our clients, including passage of the Grieving Families Act, defeating legislation that would undermine New York’s mobile sports betting law, and helping to ensure that pending legislation did not disrupt the sale of sunscreen in New York. But our biggest win was the Legislature’s passage of a demonstration program to help tackle the staffing crisis in nursing homes. On behalf of the Greater New York Health Facilities Association, we worked with other industry partners and 1199SEIU to preserve good jobs and ensure the viability of unionized nursing homes.
Key industries: Technology and telecommunications; sports and gaming; energy and environment; nonprofit; labor
Notable clients: AT&T, Major League Baseball, Microsoft, Queens Library, UFCW 1500
Other key employees: Saima Anjam, Jake Herring, Katie O’Leary, Stephanie Olcese, Paul Thomas
17. Albany Strategic Advisors
Mike O’Leary, Executive Vice President
Dan Cain, Senior Vice President
Michela Paniccia, Vice President
Biggest achievement:
ASA supports the Champlain Hudson Power Express, a 336-mile transmission project which will deliver 1,250 megawatts of clean hydroelectricity to New York City beginning in 2026. In 2022 the project was selected to supply renewable energy under the state’s Tier 4 Renewable Energy Credit program, which aims to displace fossil fuel resources. Once complete, CHPE will be the longest fully underground power line in the U.S., with a carbon reduction impact equal to removing half a million cars from the road annually. ASA continues to provide guidance to the CHPE developers regarding construction activities, ongoing permitting matters and regulatory compliance.
Key industries: Telecommunications; technology; travel and entertainment; health; criminal and social justice
Notable clients: Delta Air Lines, TechNet, FWD.us, Verizon, Highmark Health
Other key employees: Allison Lee, Jill Behrmann, Dan Vardaro, Justin Birzon, Andew Marocco, Kara Grippen
18. Cordo & Co.
John Cordo, Founder and CEO
Ali Rimkunas, Assistant Counsel
Biggest achievement:
This year, Cordo & Co. led the charge in statewide campaigns around health care, labor, gaming and beyond. At the beginning of this legislative year, thousands of union employees came to Albany to be heard on important topics including livable wages and hospital sustainability. With our support during the budget, hospitals and nursing homes saw across-the-board rate increases for the first time in a decade, which is essential to meeting facilities’ growing needs. We successfully negotiated legislation around women’s health that will allow over-the-counter access to contraceptives. We also effectuated legislation to increase transparency around LLCs and beneficial owners.
Key industries: Health care, labor, gaming, alcoholic beverages
Notable clients: 1199SEIU, Resorts World New York, New York District Council of Carpenters, New York Beer Wholesalers, Open Space Institute
Other key employees: Adam Richardson, Nora Boyle, Amy Agars, Steve Harris
19. Shenker Russo & Clark
Theresa Russo, CEO and Co-Managing Partner
Douglas Clark, Co-Managing Partner
Biggest achievement:
During a time of significant change, SRC was able to help our clients navigate the new administration and legislature. We were successful in representing our clients in highly regulated industries including banking and financial services, automobile dealers, cannabis, insurance, health care, labor, energy, law enforcement and higher education. We are also the “go-to firm” for alcohol licensing legislation. We were successful in our policy advocacy efforts before the Executive Chamber and state Legislature during the budget negotiation process and at the culmination of the legislative session, in addition to client representation before state agencies resolving impactful regulatory and administrative issues.
Key industries: Banking and financial services; labor and health care; automobile dealers; energy and environment; alcohol licensing and hospitality
Notable clients: Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, New York Bankers Association, New York Pipe Trades Association, Clean Fuels Alliance America, Center for Disability Services
Other key employees: Ed Draves, Michael Trunzo, Tracey Brooks, Jill Sandhaas, Ryan Horstmyer, Richard Lauricella, Philip Bolen, Maston Sansom, Mike Relyea, Mia Wolfe, Erin Bruce, Matthew Lauricella, Rachel Beamish, Sherley Mangroo, Jessica Gammans, Jessica Calarco
20. Manatt
Jim Walsh, Partner
Meghan McNamara, Partner
Julia Donnaruma, Senior Adviser
Biggest achievement:
We continue to secure significant funds from New York state based on the simple principle that our clients’ priorities serve a vital public need and advance the interests of our government partners, from health care to energy and education to public safety. Our truly greatest achievement is seeing the tremendous accomplishments by our clients to put those funds to use and to make a difference in millions of peoples’ lives. We are also proud of our work with our policymakers to improve legislation, regulations, and guidance to ensure the public policy that is advanced is smart, fair and achievable.
Key industries: Health care, public employee labor, higher education, procurement, energy
Notable clients: New York Safety Net Hospital Coalition, New York State Association for Affordable Housing, New York University, Coalition of New York State Public Health Plans, New York City Police Benevolent Association
Other key employees: Cassie Prugh, Tony Fiori, Tracy Fay Raleigh, Hailey Davis, Michael Paulsen, Gregory Pratt, Laura Manley Ladopoulos, Caroline Morelli
21. The Wright Group
Larisa Wick, President
Kristin Ruggles, Director of State Government Relations
Racquel Saddler, Associate Vice President, State Government Relations
Biggest achievement:
With the passing of The Wright Group’s founder and principal, John Wright, earlier this year, our biggest achievement has been moving the firm forward in a way that honors John’s original vision and purpose. Our commitment to our clients and the underinvested communities they serve is steadfast, and we are honored to bring a principled, values-based approach to government relations. By uplifting underserved New Yorkers and giving a voice to the too-often voiceless, we proudly carry on John Wright’s legacy.
Key industries: Nonprofits and human services, including cultural affairs; youth services; legal services providers; affordable housing; serving the LGBTQ+ community
Notable clients: National Black Theatre, Philanthropy NY, Youth Represent, PowerPlay NYC, Urban Resource Institute
Other key employees: Emily Contillo, Terri Jackson, Zachary Rubin, Cleveland Stair, Patricia Pulvirenti, Kayele Spencer, Nancy Montanez
22. CMW Strategies
Michael Woloz, President and CEO
Danna DeBlasio, Managing Director
Biggest achievement:
We were instrumental in getting the outdoor dining bill passed on behalf of our client the New York State Latino Restaurant and Bar Association, and in doing so, codifying what became a lifeline for the restaurant and bar industry and what is now a major benefit to communities across the city.
Key industries: Technology, transportation, cultural institutions, nonprofits, real estate
Notable clients: Verizon, Legal Aid Society, No Kid Hungry, Waymo, American Museum of Natural History
Other key employees: Regina Poreda Ryan, Rob Goldrich, Skip Piscitelli, Evelyn Pope, Caroline Engel, Kathy Cudahy
23. Statewide Public Affairs
Christopher Duryea, Managing Partner
Biggest achievement:
As we celebrate our 10th year, Statewide is proud of achieving its growth goals once again in 2023. We’ve placed incredible emphasis in meeting our clients’ needs by bringing in tremendous talent, including Albany veterans John Olsen and Carrie Harring. We’ve also added exciting new clients, including Hallmark Cards Inc., McLane Company, AshBritt Inc. and Resource Environmental Solutions LLC. Our New York City practice led by Partner Jim Quent also exceeded its growth goals and success by adding clients such as Carrier Corporation and Avaya Inc.
Key industries: Manufacturing; transportation; health care; energy and environment; hospitality
Notable clients: Comcast, Home Depot, New York State Restaurant Association, Cresco Labs, Volkswagen
Other key employees: Wayne Lair Jr., Jim Quent, Kevin Banes, Charlie Diamond, Brian Quiara, Carrie Harring, John Olsen, Ty Mills
24. O’Donnell & Associates
Jack O’Donnell, Managing Partner
Kara Hughes, Head of New York City Practice
Michael Cinquanti, Senior Vice President and Counsel
Biggest achievement:
OD&A is proud of helping our clients make change all over New York, from the new 340B reinvestment fund, major investments in upstate transit, a flagship designation and over $110 million in investment for the University at Buffalo, worker protections and prevailing wages on green energy investments, billions in procurement wins for New York companies, and leading New York City to establish a groundbreaking drone policy including a public-private partnership between the mayor’s office and Pixis Drones to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop!
Key industries: Economic development, labor, energy, health care, transportation
Notable clients: North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, New York State Building Trades, AIDS Health Foundation, Trillium Health, Regional Transit System
Other key employees: Jim Moore, Alec Lewis, Michael Greco, Diane Ong
25. Geto & de Milly
Ethan Geto, Principal
Michele de Milly, Principal
Biggest achievement:
We have proudly represented and championed New York City’s first pro soccer team, NYC Football Club, since its inception, and are now seeking ULURP approval for construction of NYCFC’s dedicated soccer stadium in Willets Point, Queens, along with 2,500 affordable apartments. And speaking of world-class sports, Geto & de Milly is responsible for landing the first-ever international Cricket World Cup tournament in the U.S., coming to Long Island in June 2024! We also continue to advance the revitalization of lower Manhattan’s Seaport and the transformative rezoning of Brooklyn’s Gowanus, ensuring New Yorkers benefit from new housing, job creation and sustainable development.
Key industries: Real estate and land use; professional sports (from tennis to soccer to cricket and more); affordable housing; education; life sciences; entertainment and the arts; LGBTQ+ advocacy; nonprofits (criminal justice reform, mental health, social services)
Notable clients: Taconic Partners, Howard Hughes Holdings, International Cricket Council, Grand Street Guild, PepsiCo, New Alternatives for Children, Sportime Clubs NY, Restoration Hardware
Other key employees: Daniel White, Maya Kremen, Julie Hendricks-Atkins, Mark Benoit, Christopher Johnson, Laura Dolan
26. The Roffe Group of Robinson+Cole
Andrew S. Roffe, President
Christine C. Rutigliano, Managing Director
Key industries: Health care, energy, technology, insurance, cannabis
Notable clients: Constellation Energy Corp., Xerox, NewYork-Presbyterian, Apple, Starbucks
Other key employees: Patrick Zlogar, Alexandra Moore and Caley Taratus
27. McBride Consulting & Business Development Group
Rochelle Kelly-Apson, Senior Vice President, Energy and Economic Development Practice
Jon Schneider, Executive Vice President and Partner, Crisis Communications & Public Relations Practice
Greg Lavine, Vice President, Government Affairs
Biggest achievement:
Each client industry we represent has a direct impact on New Yorkers. Whether it is safe and attainable housing, clean energy generation reducing carbon and global impacts, school bus safety or combating the opioid crisis, we are dedicated to meeting our region’s needs through policy and public-private sector engagement. We supported the successful selection of New York Transco and the Propel NY project by the NYISO, creating an opportunity for grid upgrades and transmission redundancy to help prevent power outages and increase grid resiliency, and renewal of the Bus Operations contract for NICE by Nassau County with Transdev North America.
Key industries: Renewable energy and transmission solutions; workforce housing and transit-oriented development; transportation, rider safety and electrification; utilities and wastewater infrastructure; health care facilities and programming
Notable clients: New York Transco and the Propel NY Project; Conifer Realty; Veolia North America; Catholic Health; Transdev North America
28. Fontas Advisors
George Fontas, Founder and CEO
Key industries: Real estate, nonprofits, tech, education
Notable clients: Intel, The Floating Hospital, LeFrak, Homeowners for an Affordable New York, Sunnyside Community Services
Other key employees: Tom Gray, Scott Crowley, John Sabini, Tara Martin, Jared Rodriguez
29. Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates
Dwayne Andrews, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Jennifer Richardson, Senior Vice President
Cory Loomis, Legislative Director
Biggest achievement:
Our firm has a lot to be proud of, but the passage of the Grieving Families Act holds a special place for us. Families love every member of their family, not just the ones who work.
Key industries: Civil justice, gaming, education, technology, transportation
Notable clients: New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Genting - Resorts World New York, Sports Betting Alliance, HNTB Corp., Education Reform Now Advocacy
Other key employees: Patrick B. Jenkins, Jordan Carelus, Bharati Kemraj, David Tanis, Nazareth Mungin, Amanda Valera
30. TBA
Tonio Burgos, Founder and CEO
Kristen Walsh, President, New York
Key industries: Transportation infrastructure; health care; renewable energy; real estate and development; hospitality; travel and leisure
Notable clients: Greater New York Hospital Association, Wynn Resorts Development, PSEG, Maddd Equities, AECOM
31. Malkin & Ross
Christine Tramontano, Vice President
Jessica Schafroth, Vice President
Biggest achievement:
Passage and enactment of the All-Electric Building Act, which bans fossil fuel infrastructure in new construction; the Save the Hudson bill, which prohibits the dumping of radioactive waste from decommissioning nuclear power plants into the Hudson River; passage of the Nutrition CME Resource Library bill to enhance physician nutrition education; increasing access to nutritious foods at schools by providing free meals for students; and increasing the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation moving forward.
Key industries: Expanding access to high quality mental and physical health care; criminal justice reform; addressing sexual and gender-based violence and harassment; environmental justice; worker justice issues; enhancing protections for our most vulnerable populations
Notable clients: Alliance for Clean Energy New York, Coalition for the Homeless, Drug Policy Alliance, Make the Road New York New York State Nurses Association, Safe Horizon, National Employment Law Project
Other key employees: Arthur Malkin, Jaron Benjamin, Amanda Cavanaugh, Carol Ann Lemon, Cylas Martell-Crawford, Stacie Orell
32. Moonshot Strategies
Jenny Sedlis, Co-Founder and CEO
Jason Ortiz, Co-Founder and CEO
Biggest achievement:
In the past year, Moonshot helped clients pass landmark vote by mail legislation in New York that could help secure the House of Representatives for Democrats nationally. We secured over $60 million in the state budget for immigration legal services, a 200% increase from 2022. We successfully campaigned to reopen 14 “zombie” charter schools in New York City. And we worked to pass the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act for the Innocence Project.
Key industries: Financial services; education, organized labor; nonprofits and advocacy organizations; hospitality and gaming
Notable clients: New York Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, Aetna, StudentsFirstNY, Human Services Council, Apollo
Other key employees: Jason Laidley, Elana Leopold, Gabriel Schnake Mahl
33. Tress Capitol Advisors
Kristen Murphy, Managing Director
Dan Leinung, Counsel and Senior Lobbyist
Laura Darman, Of Counsel
Biggest achievement:
We were successful in expanding patient access to lifesaving medicines and newborn screening for rare diseases. We secured capital funding for community health center clients and for civil legal service providers. We worked hard with partner organizations to preserve the community health care safety net. Our efforts helped to address the state’s lifeguard shortage and to enhance children’s safety at nonregulated camps.
Key industries: Health care, including women’s health care; financial; human services; social care technology; biotechnology
Notable clients: PhRMA, Empire Justice Center, Community Healthcare Network, New York State Camp Directors Association, Unite USA
Other key employee: Michelle Walsh
34. Featherstonhaugh, Wiley & Clyne
Jonathan McCardle, Partner
David Fleming Jr., Chief Operating Officer
Justin Hogan, Government Relations
Biggest achievement:
Featherstonhaugh, Wiley & Clyne is proud of our decades of service delivering tangible results for all of our clients. The firm’s achievements in the last year, for all the industries and organizations we represent, have a tremendous impact on their operations and success in New York. Our policy is to deliver results and let those successes speak for themselves.
Key Industries: Construction/engineering; finance/health; death care; gaming, racing and wagering; technology
Notable clients: CVS Health, The General Contractors Association of New York, The Goldman Sachs Group, New York State Association of Cemeteries, Robin Hood Foundation
Other key employees: James D. Featherstonhaugh, Elizabeth K. Clyne, Stephen D. Morgan
35. Yoswein New York
Joni Yoswein, Founder and CEO
Jeffrey Denman, Vice President
Jamie Van Bramer, President
Biggest achievement:
Beyond the excitement of helping to open the hugely anticipated new Wegmans grocery store at Astor Place (because who doesn’t love Wegmans?), this past year saw YNY continue to guide their diverse client roster toward success with integrity, sound judgment and deep relationships. These achievements included New York City funding for innovative public education programs (NYC Outward Bound), legislative victories for our recovering restaurant industry (NYC Hospitality Alliance), coalition building for New York’s safety net hospitals (SUNY Downstate) and the passage of a groundbreaking new bill to help support the state’s agriculture and horse breeding industries (Blue Chip Farms).
Key industries: Real estate development; technology and entrepreneurship; educational and cultural nonprofits; trade organizations; health care
Notable clients: Wegmans Food Markets, Amazon, New York City Hospitality Alliance, Brooklyn Public Library, JetBlue
Other key employee: Awilda Pomales-Diaz
36. Hollis Public Affairs
Bernadette DeVito, Government Relations Associate
Shershah Khan, Government Relations Associate
Biggest achievement:
Hollis Public Affairs continued a successful campaign to implement and establish legislation that allows for air ambulance service providers to initiate and administer blood transfusions while in flight. Since its implementation in 2022, hundreds of adult and pediatric trauma and medical patients have benefitted from this new law.
Key industries: Tech, infrastructure, health care, aviation, nonprofits
Notable clients: AECOM, JetBlue, Success Academy Charter Schools, Air Methods, YWCA Brooklyn
Other key employees: Brian W. Simon, Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, Andy Manshel, Sergio Mata-Cisneros, Jeremiah Williams, Gabby Anania
37. Masiello Martucci & Associates
Vic Martucci, Managing Partner
Tony Masiello, President
Key industries: Health care, higher education, transportation, nonprofits, municipal government
Notable clients: Kaleida Health, Erie County Medical Center, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, D’Youville University, Rosina Food Products
Other key employees: Connie Martucci, Allie Castilloux
38. Whiteman Osterman & Hanna
Richard Leckerling, Coordinating Partner, Governmental Relations Practice Group
Key industries: Health care, education, insurance, finance
Notable clients: American Express, Hertz, Life Insurance Council of New York, Columbia University’s Teachers College
Other key employees: Aggie Leahy, Kevin Quinn, Katherine Herlihy
39. State & Broadway
Jacqueline S.L. Williams, Partner
Lawrence Scherer, Partner
Richard Winsten, Senior Lobbyist
Biggest achievement:
The firm’s most resounding achievement was the team effort to advocate for policies that support economic development and job security for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers.
Key industries: Public employee labor unions; film and television industry; cannabis; gaming; financial industry
Notable clients: Broadway Stages; Writers Guild of America East; New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health; Small Business Finance Association; Medicare Rights Center
40. Empire Strategic Planning
Nick Spano, President
Maureen Kronau, Senior Lobbyist
John Spano, Senior Lobbyist
Biggest achievement:
Effective lobbying, according to founder, President and former Sen. Nick Spano, is about understanding the process with a strong knowledge of what makes elected officials motivated. Our firm has decades of service in New York state government and has worked successfully for the past 16 years developing and implementing strategies to navigate the complex and the ever changing landscape in New York state. We are proud of our ability to represent clients at all levels of government, working with the governor’s team, legislative leaders, county executives, local officials and the myriad of bureaucracies that sometimes appear unresponsive.
Key industries: Health care; nonprofit agencies serving the developmental disabilities community; real estate
Notable clients: Greater New York Hospital Association, New York Propane Gas Association, National Association of Wine Retailers, Westchester County PBA, MacQuesten Development LLC
41. Patricia Lynch Associates
Patricia Lynch, Founder
Key industries: Entertainment, real estate, renewable energy, education, nonprofits
Notable clients: Thor Properties LLC, The Walt Disney Co., Chia Network, Avis, East Ramapo Central School District
42. Catalyst Government Relations
Chris Bombardier, President
Kate Knight, Managing Director
Scott Wexler, Managing Director
Biggest achievement:
The firm, which was started in 2021, added Kate Knight and Scott Wexler as managing directors and Felicia Harris as an associate. We are discrete in the work we do on behalf of our clients and attribute successes to their hard work and that of policymakers.
Key industries: Health care, financial services, transportation, gaming, communications
Notable clients: Churchill Downs, Charter Communications, Grubhub, Honeywell, American Medical Response
Other key employee: Felicia Harris
43. Allied Government Affairs
Jeff Klein, Founder
Key industries: Health care, housing, construction, labor, tech
Notable clients: Community Housing Improvement Program; Riverspring Living Hebrew Home at Riverdale; Public Employees Federation; Grubhub; Saint Joseph’s Medical Center
44. Fried Frank
Zachary Bernstein, Real Estate Partner
Tal J. Golomb, Real Estate Partner
David Karnovsky, Real Estate Partner
Melanie Meyers, Real Estate Partner
Wesley O’Brien, Real Estate Partner
Carol E. Rosenthal, Real Estate Partner
Key industry: Real estate
Notable clients: Vornado Realty Trust, South Street Seaport, RXR, The Trust for Governors Island, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
45. Plummer & Wigger
Scott Wigger, Partner
Daniel Plummer, Partner
Key industries: Manufacturing, media, transportation, energy
Notable clients: General Electric, NBCUniversal, Railroads of New York, Millennium Pipeline, New York State Funeral Directors Association, New York Transco
Other key employee: Ed Wassermann, Marge Marto
46. Harter Secrest & Emery
Amy J. Kellogg, Partner and Practice Group Leader
John M. Jennings, Partner
Caitlin A. Anderson, Associate
Biggest achievement:
Our biggest achievement in the past year was helping our clients accomplish their legislative priorities in a challenging post-pandemic environment. We work with clients in a variety of industries, including the transportation sector, the alcoholic beverage sector, the life sciences sector and a variety of health care professionals. Our clients have varied and diverse needs, and we develop a personalized and unique legislative strategy for each of our clients to ensure that they secure the best possible legislative outcome, whether it be the passage or defeat of legislation or securing government funding.
Key industries: Life sciences, transportation, health care, energy, telecommunications, higher education
Notable clients: Amalgamated Transit Union Legislative Conference Board, Biogen MA Inc., New York State Brewers Association, New York State Association of Nurse Anesthetists, U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association
Other key employee: Bethany Latham
47. Reid, McNally, & Savage
Kayla Bogdanowicz, Associate
Elizabeth Reid, Associate
Biggest achievement:
RMS is proud to work closely with our clients to develop strong partnerships in state government and advance policy that improves lives. We were successful in helping to pass legislation to enhance health care and secure millions of dollars in state funding to support the human services sector and our nonprofit clients. Notable successes include increasing New York's cigarette tax, securing funds to bolster New York’s health care workforce, increasing access to community paramedicine, increasing public transit funding by over 30% in two years, ensuring safe anesthesia care, and enacting “shield laws” for clinicians providing abortion care via telehealth as well as gender-affirming care.
Key industries: Health care providers, public health, public transit, finance, human services
Notable clients: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Community Pharmacy Association of New York State, New York State Association of Health Care Providers, New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, New York State Society of Anesthesiologists
Other key employees: Bob Reid, Marcy Savage, Kelly Forster
48. Tusk Strategies
Chris Coffey, CEO
Shontell Smith, Head of New York Practice
Eric Soufer, Partner
Biggest achievement:
We were thrilled to work across teams and partner with Tusk Philanthropies’ Solving Hunger to secure $134 million in the state budget for free school lunches for students. We are primarily a campaign management firm so to use every tool in our toolkit, including creative paid media and a statewide press push, for such a critical cause was a special moment for our firm.
Key industries: Financial services; AI; cannabis; fashion and entertainment; food services
Notable clients: LVMH, McDonald’s, TransPerfect, Curaleaf, Queens Forward
Other key employees: Alex Sommer, Erika Tannor, Jake Sporn
49. Envision Strategy
Tim Bishop, Member
Steve Stallmer, Member
Steve Schultz, Member
Key industries: Health care, telecom/IT, government procurement, transportation
Notable clients: Healthcare Association of New York State, Home Care Association of New York, New York Roadway and Infrastructure Coalition, Avaya, Cigna
50. Cojo Strategies
Corey Johnson, Founder
Key industries: Health care, real estate, tech, transportation, higher education
Notable clients: Lyft, Vornado Realty, Northwell Health, B-Cubed Holdings, Northeastern University
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