Power Lists
The 2023 New York City Top 50 Lobbyists
The leading government relations firms across the five boroughs.
City & State presents the 2023 New York City Top 50 Lobbyists. Sara Beth Turner; Leigh Beckett; Submitted
Who are the top lobbyists in New York City?
Well-established firms such as Kasirer, Bolton-St. Johns and Capalino lead the way in total lobbying compensation. A number of law firms with active government relations shops are in the mix, including several that focus on real estate and land use. And upstarts like Actum, Cojo Strategies and JMG Strategies have quickly made their mark.
Government relations firms of all shapes and sizes are featured in City & State’s latest top New York City lobbyists list. This list, which is based on an analysis of 2022 compensation figures reported to the New York City Clerk’s Lobbying Bureau, features the top 50 firms – all of which raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars that year.
Some of these firms also provide campaigns or communications services, but only lobbying dollars are counted. Organizations lobbying on their own behalf are omitted, and lobbying entities in the same corporate family are 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 who 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 Corey Johnson to Diana Reyna to Ruben Diaz Jr.
We’re pleased to present the Top 50 New York City Lobbyists.
1. 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
2. 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: 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. The Wright Group NY
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
15. 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
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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
19. 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
20. 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
21. Converge Government Affairs New York
Elnatan Rudolph, Co-Founder and Partner
Bruce Rudolph, Managing Partner
Jonathan Kilman, Chair
Biggest achievement:
Converge continues to deliver assisting our clients receive the money appropriate to them by the Council. Our biggest achievement this year was delivering for every one of our clients.
Key industries: Nonprofit, health care, mobility, transportation
Notable clients: Touro College, Premium Health, HASC Center, Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services, The Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale
22. Bender Cantone Consulting
Bruce Bender, Principal and Co-Founder
Scott Cantone, Principal and Co-Founder
Key industries: Real estate, transportation, cultural institutions, nonprofit, health care
Notable clients: Independent Drivers Guild, Brooklyn Museum, Hospital for Special Surgery, Trinity Place Holdings, The Woodlawn Cemetery
23. Kramer Levin
Paul D. Selver, Partner and Co-Chair, Land Use
Elise Wagner, Partner and Co-Chair, Land Use
Valerie G. Campbell, Partner
James P. Power, Partner
Key industries: Real estate, land use
Notable clients: Madison Square Garden Entertainment, Vornado Realty Trust, Extell Development, The Public Theater
24. b2gny Group
Gino Menchini, Principal and Co-Founder
Agostino Cangemi, Principal and Co-Founder
Key industries: Technology, sustainability, transportation, health and human services, finance
Notable clients: Crown Castle, Dell, Gaeta Interior Demolition, Palo Alto Networks, Mason Technologies
25. 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
26. 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
27. RG Group
Alan Rosenberg, Partner
Gregory Mitchell, Senior Associate
Catherine Giuliani, Partner
Biggest achievement:
RG Group is a trusted adviser for many innovative firms seeking to enter or expand their presence in New York. In the past year, RG Group has successfully guided its clients through a number of important projects. Our team has spent time building relationships and securing funding for important initiatives that align with the mayor’s “Get Stuff Done” agenda.
Key industries: Technology and innovation; consulting services; energy; real estate and construction
Notable clients: KPMG, Red Hat, Boldyn Networks, Splunk
28. TLM Associates LLC
James McMahon, Principal
Sharada Polavarapu, Senior Associate for Affordable Housing
Biggest achievement:
Working with clients to raise awareness with decision-makers on the need for expanding investments in infrastructure including housing.
Key industries: Affordable housing, economic development, environment, energy
Notable clients: Bank of America, Community Preservation Corporation, Enterprise Community Partners, Neighborhood Restore, Greenpoint Manufacturing Design Center
Other key employees: Thomas McMahon, Pablo Zangerle, Ian Riley
29. 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
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. Urban Strategies
Mike Klein, President and CEO
Biggest achievement:
I take pride in being at the forefront of addressing some of the most critical issues impacting our city and state. We have worked with Phoenix House to raise awareness about substance use and the fentanyl overdose crisis. We’ve been instrumental in educating leaders and stakeholders about the remarkable advancements in weapons detection technology, and making schools, office buildings and cultural institutions safer for our community. Additionally, we played a crucial role in the swift transformation of the Roosevelt Hotel into the largest shelter and intake center in the city, serving a growing wave of migrants seeking asylum in the U.S.
Key industries: Public safety/emergency management; real estate/community development; technology/aviation; social services/substance abuse treatment and policy; cultural institutions/arts/media
Notable clients: Phoenix House of New York, Accela, Innovative Emergency Management, Evolv Technologies, Outfront Media
Other key employee: Francesca Iodice
32. Akerman
Joshua Rinesmith, Co-Chair, Land Use and Development Practice
Steven Sinacori, Partner, Real Estate
Eleanore Martins, Partner, Real Estate
Key industries: Real estate, real estate development
Notable clients: Boston Road Associates, Burlington Coat Factory, Catholic Medical Mission Board, Camber Property Group
Other key employees: Jaclyn Scarinci, Frank St. Jacques, Richard Bass, Lisa Orrantia, Joseph Sbarro, Michael Curley
33. Allied Government Affairs LLC
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
34. Gotham Government Relations
David Schwartz, Founder and President
Denny Salas, Senior Vice President
Biggest achievement:
We advocated for: age-friendly executive orders in both Suffolk and Nassau counties; city, state and federal legislation introduced to protect the earned Medicare benefits of municipal retirees; and introducing state legislation creating the strongest consumer protection and pet care standards in the country.
Key industries: Health care, older adult care, development, consumer affairs
Notable clients: Red Apple, AARP, New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees, Flair Beverages
Other key employees: Arthur Aidala, Imran H. Ansari, Shai Franklin, Corey Pegues, Lauren Fix, Jacquie Téllez, Stephen Graves, Matilde Tysz, Charles Ribando, Joan Pelzer, Antonio C. Martinez II, Gary Ackerman
35. The Carey Group LLC
Regina DeMilia, Vice President
Key industry: Real estate
Notable clients: Triangle Equities, The Rabsky Group, Bruckner Development II, Daroga Power
36. 99 Solutions LLC
Jacqui Williams, Principal
Key industries: Real estate, casinos, retail, higher education
Notable clients: Real Estate Board of New York, Tishman Speyer, SL Green, American Racing and Entertainment, Northeastern University
37. 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
38. The Advance Group
Scott Levenson, Founder and President
Sebastian Levenson, Client Relations
Sharnika Power, Communications
Biggest achievement:
This year we were successful in defeating Intro. 1099, legislation introduced by New York City Council Member Charles Barron that attacks the collective bargaining process established under city and state laws. The bill would have restricted the rights of unions like CWA Local 1180 to negotiate health benefits for retirees even though city and state laws make retiree health benefits a mandatory part of bargaining.
Key industries: Labor, nonprofit, property, health care
Notable clients: Artbridge, New York Communities for Change, CWA Local 1180, Community Voices Heard, Homecrest Community Services
39. Herrick
Mitchell A. Korbey, Partner and Chair of Land Use and Zoning
Key industries: Real estate, land use
Notable clients: Toby Moskovits, Jed Walentas, Astoria Owners LLC
40. Actum
Ruben Diaz Jr., Co-Chair
John Tomlin, Managing Director
Paul Persaud, Senior Vice President
Biggest achievement:
Actum secured over $1 million in funding to help tenants facing eviction in the six counties north of New York City stay in their homes.
Key industries: Housing, health care, education
Notable clients: Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Charter Communications, 5 Borough Housing Movement, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
41. JMG Strategies Inc.
Jason Goldman, Founder
Key industries: Health care, transportation, real estate, culturals, emergency response
Notable clients: Lyft, Northwell Health, Deloitte, Tishman Speyer, The Joyce Theater Foundation
42. Adams Buckner Advisors
Yvette Buckner, Co-Founder and Partner
Amelia Adams, Co-Founder and Partner
Gabriel Gallucci, Managing Partner
Biggest achievement:
Our firm successfully lobbied for increased investments in child care, health care and college in prison reform. These efforts resulted in improved prospects for marginalized individuals, contributing to a fairer and more equitable society, reflecting our commitment to social justice and education reform.
Key industries: Child care education, transportation, voting reform, climate justice, MWBE and small businesses
Notable clients: Bard Prison Initiative, New York Urban League, Wonderschool, Partnership for New York City, Tobacco Free Kids
Other key employee: Roberto Celestin
43. 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
44. Nicholas & Lence Communications
George Lence, President
Biggest achievement:
NLC is very proud to have expanded its public affairs practice over the past year into more robust representation of neighborhoods throughout the city via its work promoting and advocating for New York’s diverse communities including the business improvement districts of Fordham Road, Long Island City, midtown Manhattan, Arthur Avenue and others. NLC’s robust PR team, led by Cristyne Nicholas, highlights the many restaurants, retail stores, economic development initiatives and more, while lobbying veteran George Lence handles government interactions to assure smooth sailing with City Hall and Albany.
Key industries: Travel and tourism, transportation, business improvement districts, infrastructure
Notable clients: City Experiences by Hornblower, Times Square Alliance, New York Coalition of Code Consultants, Fordham Road BID, Arthur Avenue (Belmont) BID
Other key employees: Joshua Knoller, Andra Horsch
45. Sheldon Lobel PC
Richard Lobel, Zoning and Land Use Attorney
Key industries: Real estate and land use
Notable clients: David Parnes, Yoel Teitelbaum, Daniel Weiss
46. Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP
Stefanie Marazzi, Partner
Key industry: Real estate
Notable clients: The Rabsky Group, Monadnock Development, MHANY Management
47. Diana Reyna Strategic Consulting LLC
Diana Reyna, Principal
Key industries: Real estate, energy, environment
Notable clients: Microgrid Networks, Sure We Can, Shelter Rock Builders
48. George Arzt Communications
George Arzt, President
Bob Liff, Senior Vice President
Maya Gelfand, Chief Operating Officer
Biggest achievement:
We played a vital role in communicating with neighborhood leaders and elected officials to enable a smooth process in the construction of a medical office building on the Upper East Side for Hospital for Special Surgery. We secured City Council funding for nonprofits helping some of the most at-risk New York City populations. We won national attention to the Onondaga Nation’s assertion of Indigenous treaty rights against the American government over 2 million acres of treaty-guaranteed land taken from the Nation. And we maximized attention on health authorities’ failure to fund preventive care for diabetes and other chronic diseases, which would save thousands of lives.
Key industries: Real estate, construction, health care, nonprofit, law
Notable clients: Extell Development Company, Innovo Property Group, Abrams Fensterman, Emigrant Savings Bank, American Indian Law Alliance
49. Beaudoin & Co
Heather Beaudoin, Founder and CEO
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 16, Aptim Environmental & Infrastructure
50. The Ickes and Enright Group
Harold Ickes, Principal
Key industries: Culturals, health care, finance, tech, real estate
Notable clients: American Beverage Association, Northwell Health, MasterCard, 7-Eleven, Brookfield Financial Properties
Did we miss anyone? Let us know at lists@cityandstateny.com. And pitch us names for other upcoming power lists.
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