AV-rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Fellow, America Bar Foundation
Fellow, Tennessee Bar Foundation
Fellow, Napier-Looby Bar Foundation
Fellow, Nashville Bar Foundation
Appointed by Gov. Lee to the Board of Directors, TPAC Management Corporation, 2019- Present
Appointed by Gov. Haslam to the Board of Directors, TPAC Management Corporation, 2013-2019
R.B.J. Campbelle Award, the University of Tennessee College of Law, 2012
"Nashville's Top 101 Lawyers", Nashville Post Magazine, 2011
Best Lawyers in America
    Energy Law, 2011-2022
    Government Relations, 2016-2022
    Administrative/Regulatory Law, 2022
    Communications Law, 2020-2022
    Lawyer of the Year, Energy Law (Nashville, TN), 2018, 2020, 2022
Mid-South Super Lawyers , Civil Litigation Defense, 2013-2014
J.C. Napier Trailblazer Award, Napier-Looby Bar Foundation, 2010
"In Charge," Legal Category, Nashville Post, 2010
Best of the Bar, Nashville Business Journal, 2003, 2009, 2020
Commissioner, Tennessee Public Utility Commission (Formerly Tennessee Regulatory Authority), 1996-2002
Deputy Legal Counsel to Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist, 1995-1996
Dr. Calvin Calhoun Distinguished Member of the Year Award, 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, 2006, 2014 & 2015.
Special Appointment by Gov. Haslam, Tennessee Supreme Court, 2013

Melvin was one of the first practitioners before the Tennessee Public Utility Commission to obtain approval of capital recovery riders under Tennessee's newly passed legislative initiative authorizing alternative regulatory mechanisms for public utilities.

Served a special appointment by Governor Bill Haslam to the Tennessee Supreme Court to hear a case from which four Supreme Court Justices recused themselves (Hooker et al v. Lt. Governor Ramsey et al.).

Successfully litigated on behalf of Tennessee's only publicly held water provider, a regional financial institution, a global wireless communications company, the nation's largest three-service utility, a national automotive finance company, and a coalition of Tennessee telephone cooperatives.

Successfully litigated on behalf of a coalition of over 200 retail fuel providers in an alternative fuel anti-competition case.

Commissioner, Tennessee Public Utility Commission (Formerly Tennessee Regulatory Authority), 1996-2002.

Deputy Legal Counsel to Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist, 1995-1996.

20+ years

Kyle brings to GSL Public Affairs and Communications more than two decades of experience in state government. A native of northeast Pennsylvania, Kyle came to Harrisburg more than 20 years ago and began his career in the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Kyle quickly worked his way up the ranks, serving in various roles and most recently as the Chief of Staff for Senator John Yudichak.

As Chief of Staff, Kyle was responsible for the day-to-day operations of both the Harrisburg Office and the District Offices. Kyle developed, implemented and promoted the Senator's legislative proposals and public policy agenda. He also identified and helped secure funding sources, such as RACP, LSA, PennDOT/DCED Multimodal and other CFA grant programs for economic development and infrastructure projects in the Senator's district.

In 2016, Kyle made the transition from chief of staff in the Senate to a career in lobbying. Widely regarded as one who could always work in a bipartisan manner within the halls of the Capitol, Kyle has been able to utilize those relationships to achieve numerous successes for his clients. Over the last few years, Kyle has worked with his clients to accomplish many legislative victories, such as the expansion of tax credit programs, implementing the first e-Scooter pilot program in Pennsylvania, amending state licensure laws and securing state appropriations.

Throughout Kyle's entire professional career, he has maintained an outstanding reputation amongst his peers. Kyle continues to use his experiences and longtime connections to collaboratively work with his clients and stakeholders to achieve policy and legislative goals.

0-5 years

Nick has served in key leadership positions both within Pennsylvania's Office of Administration (O.A.) and Governor's Office under both Governor Corbett and Governor Wolf. He brings a bipartisan approach to assisting GSL clients. While in O.A., Nick served as the Director of the Bureau of State Employment overseeing 32,000 non-civil service jobs and the application, interview and selection process associated with them. Nick built relationships with key stakeholders in the hiring process, including Deputies for Administration, labor unions and human resources personnel. Additionally, he was influential in proposing and implementing various executive orders, HR initiatives, management directives and policies throughout the enterprise


After transferring to the Governor's Office under Governor Wolf, Nick served as the Director of Administration and as a Deputy Chief of Staff before being named the Governor's Executive Deputy Chief of Staff. In these various roles, he oversaw personnel, procurement and the Governor's Office of Performance Through Excellence. He participated in legislative negotiations and played a key role in the Governor's final budget. Through his administration and procurement background, Nick has extensive experience working with all state agencies and delivery centers and specifically served as a liaison for the Office of Inspector General, Office of Administration, Department of General Services and the Department of Agriculture.

20+ years

Martindale-Hubbell
    AV -Preeminent Peer Review Rated
Best Lawyers in America
    Insurance Law, 2007-2022
    Government Relations Practice, 2015-2022
    Lawyer of the Year, Insurance Law (Nashville), 2018
    Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice (Nashville), 2020, 2022
Nashville 101 Top Lawyers, Nashville Post Magazine, 2011
In Charge list, Government/Politics, Nashville Post, 2010
150 Best Lawyers, Business Tennessee, 2009
Best of Bar, Nashville Business Journal
Trustee, Harpeth Hall School
Former Board of Directors, Women's Fund of Nashville, Community Foundation of Middle of Tennessee
Former Board Member, Book 'Em
Former Alumnae Board Member, Harpeth Hall School
Former Board Member, Jade's Fund, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
Tennessee Lobbyist Association
Former Member, Board of Directors

JAMES S. PAOLINO, ESQ. began his career working in municipal government before working for several years at the state level with both the Executive Branch and the Connecticut General Assembly. Attorney Paolino has worked as the Director of State Lobbying for the Connecticut Hospital Association, one of Connecticut's largest healthcare provider associations. As Director of State Lobbying, Attorney Paolino gained extensive experience in handling complex issues including Medicaid reimbursement, workforce and employment legislation, tax issues, patient safety programs, as well as a wide variety of other issues related to healthcare, technology, the environment, and business.

Attorney Paolino brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the FOCUS Government Affairs team. Having worked at the municipal and state levels as well as the private sector, Attorney Paolino adds a deep level of understanding of government and the legislative process as well as commitment to achieving positive results for his clients. This background gives Attorney Paolino a wide range of personal contacts and relationships in both government and the private sector, which are then utilized to provide positive results for clients. Attorney Paolino combines his background and personal contacts with his legal skills to provide a comprehensive bipartisan approach to challenging issues for his clients.

Attorney Paolino is very active in his community where he currently serves as Chairman of his town's Sewer and Water Commission. He also serves as the Chief Financial Officer and on the Board of Directors of his local branch of the Lion's Club International. Attorney Paolino is also an adjunct professor, teaching Western Civilization, World Civilizations and U.S. History.

0-5 years

0-5 years

Senior Advisor to the Shapiro Transition Committee

Rob has extensive experience in crafting and implementing policy, particularly in the areas of economic development and energy. A veteran of state government, Rob served in the Governor Tom Wolf Administration as Deputy Chief of Staff, Speechwriter, Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs and most recently as Senior Advisor to the Governor. In this position, he served as primary political advisor and oversaw all aspects of economic development for the Wolf administration as well as coordinated all economic development related grant programs in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. He also coordinated all aspects of the administration's federal government relations efforts to advance the Governor's agenda in Washington, D.C.

Rob is an expert on the intersection of economic development, state funding and labor organizations. He has built coalitions to advance common goals and fostered relationships with a range of stakeholders, including interest groups, business and professional organizations, elected officials and community leaders across the state.

0-5 years

City and State's "40 Under 40 State Leaders" in 2022

PoliticsPA's "Top PA Political Operatives" in 2014

Board Member on the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Board of Review

Elena has significant experience coordinating and advancing legislative initiatives in Harrisburg. As former Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Governor Tom Wolf, she oversaw operations of 24 executive agencies, led the planning and implementation of the Governor's strategic plan and worked closely with the General Assembly to advance budgetary, investment, tax reform, election reform, public health and economic goals. Among numerous major initiatives that Elena helped guide from development to completion include the 2022-23 $45 billion budget process, Pennsylvania's largest tax credit package for energy and advanced manufacturing development, COVID vaccine distribution, Pennsylvania's Broadband Authority, regional economic hub development and business recruitment, and the regulatory and executive action agenda for equal rights policies across various industries. She also oversaw the development of risk management, process improvements and data management structures across state agencies. Having served as a liaison between various cabinet agencies, nonprofit organizations and public and private leaders, Elena understands how to collaborate to achieve a common objective.

Elena also has a depth of strategic knowledge about the organization and coordination of political and field programs for key caucus operations and races. Prior to her senior advisory career in the Governor's Office, Elena held executive leadership roles in the Democratic Party and election organizations. She was Executive Director for Campaign for a Fresh Start, which coordinated gubernatorial campaign and other Democratic campaign efforts; served as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party; and was Political Director for the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee.

11-15 years

JD, Willamette University School of Law, Salem, OR (Oregon State Bar # 094769)
MBA, Atkinson Graduate School of Management, Willamette University, Salem, OR
BA, Political Science, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA

John C. Powell and wife Abby Powell live in Lake Oswego, OR with their three children

LYNN STOKES-MURRAY serves as the Government Relations Director in Burr Forman McNair's Columbia office. Lynn is a governmental affairs and lobbying consultant who represents clients at the South Carolina State House and in local government matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Lynn was actively involved in numerous political campaigns across the state, including managing a South Carolina Congressional race in 1988. She has authored and implemented grassroots plans for major corporations to engage employees in the political process. Additionally, she drafts legislation and has extensive knowledge of the legislative rules and appropriations process.

Lynn recently served as chairperson and continues on the board of The Advocacy Group (TAG), which was established in 1992 as the first international public affairs and government relations corporation to provide a diverse array of professional advocacy services internationally.

JOHN D. NICOLAY directed state governmental representation at Winston & Strawn LLP for seven years. Previously, he served as general counsel to the Illinois Senate President, where his responsibilities included staffing and operations for the Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee.

Prior to his work with the office of the Senate President, he served as a legislative liaison for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office where he helped secure passage of more than 50 pieces of legislation, including major sentencing and evidentiary reforms. He also served as an Assistant State's Attorney and practiced in the area of commercial and governmental litigation at Shefsky & Froelich, Ltd. In addition, Mr. Nicolay served as a Legislative Aide to former Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, and as a special assistant to Governor James R. Thompson.

Mr. Nicolay has represented Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and entrepreneurs in the General Assembly. He also has negotiated and litigated on behalf of clients before municipal and administrative law tribunals. He is a frequent speaker on legislative process and governmental ethics, and served as outside ethics counsel to the Senate President. Mr. Nicolay is the co-author of Effective Dates of Illinois Legislation, in the Handbook of Illinois Administrative Law (Illinois State Bar Association, 2001).

In January 2008, Mr. Nicolay was named as a "Rising Star" in the Illinois Super Lawyers edition of Chicago Magazine, having been nominated by fellow members of the Illinois bar.

Mr. Nicolay is past President and serves on the Board of Directors of The Advocacy Group, an international governmental affairs organization. He is Vice-Chairman of the Illinois Executive Mansion Association, a not-for-profit corporation which administers the public use of the Governor's Mansion in Springfield and the Hayes Mansion in DuQuoin. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of MacMurray College, served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Board of Directors of Intermountain Corporate Affairs Company. He is honored to serve on the Advisory Board of Misericordia/Heart of Mercy Home in Chicago, a residential facility for developmentally disabled children and adults, which is a pro bono client of the firm.

Mr. Nicolay received a B.S. in history and political science from MacMurray College and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law. He is admitted to practice in the Illinois Supreme Court and the United States District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois.

6-10 years

Jennie served as the primary staff member for the House Education Committee.

Jennie Previously served as:
Senior Director of Government Relations and Policy, University of Memphis, 2018-2019. Built and maintained relationships, studied policy initiatives, and advocated for funding before state, local, and Federal officials. Successful in securing capital funding for the Lambuth Campus, a first for the University. Organized the inaugural University of Memphis Legislative Retreat, bringing a record 40 legislators from across Tennessee to the University of Memphis Campus.

Director of Government Relations, State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), 2014-2018. Represented Tennessee's leading education policy and advocacy organization before the Tennessee General Assembly. Successfully designed and executed a statewide roadshow for a Governor's cabinet member to interact with business and community stakeholders.

Legislative Staffer, Tennessee General Assembly, 2011-2014. Worked for the Tennessee General Assembly in several roles including Research Analyst for the House Education Committee. Developed strong working relationships with key education and business community stakeholders. Maintained a deep understanding of education-related legislation to serve as the primary policy advisor to the committee.

Fundraiser and Campaign Coordinator, Congressman Bill Cassidy, 2010-2011.

20+ years

The Best Lawyers in America, Administrative/Regulatory Law, Government Regulations Practice (2007-2019)

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated

Methodist University- Economics and Business Alumni Award (2003)

B. DAVIS HORNE, JR. manages the Government Relations practice at Smith Anderson and leads a team of professionals in the firm's Corporate Relocation and Expansion practice. Dave has spent nearly 30 years representing private interests - including many non-profit associations, medical groups and businesses - before the North Carolina General Assembly and other state and federal government entities. He has been rated in the top twenty of more than 700 lobbyists registered in the State by an independent survey of his peers, the press, and legislators conducted by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research Inc for more than a decade.

Dave also advises clients expanding in or relocating to North Carolina about state and local economic development incentives. He has represented clients in many of the state's largest economic development projects.

After receiving his BA with honors from Methodist University, Dave spent several years in business, returning to law school and receiving a J.D. from Campbell University with distinction. His law practice experience includes serving as Associate General Counsel and State Legislative Director for the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation and its affiliated entities, which include the largest domestic property and casualty insurer in North Carolina. He also served as Director of Government Affairs for the North Carolina Bar Association for five years.