Jeff Hamling joined Cornerstone in 2017, bringing a wealth of experience and relationships in Atlanta, Georgia. Jeff came to the firm after two years as a lobbyist in Dentons' Atlanta and Washington offices where he represented a number of corporate, governmental, and non-profit clients.

Prior to Dentons, Jeff worked at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce as vice president for state and federal affairs. Jeff joined the Chamber after serving then-Congressman Tom Price for over five years. Starting as a staff assistant, Jeff was quickly promoted to deputy chief of staff, overseeing the Atlanta office and various aspects of the federal legislative staff.

Jeff has also been recognized by prestigious organizations for professional accomplishments: profiled in Capitol Impact Magazine's People on the Move, "Rookie of the Year" award voted on by his peers in the Georgia lobbying community, and James Magazine's Georgia's Political Influencers in Washington, D.C.

20+ years

Georgia State University 40 under 40, Member of 2022 Leadership Georgia

Gov Kemp Inaugural Committee in 2018 and 2022

John began his career in government in the Georgia House Appropriations Office. After leaving the legislative staff, Clayton went on to serve as Deputy Finance Director to former Governor Roy Barnes. John returned to the House where he played an important role in the 2002 election of Terry Coleman as Speaker of the House.

While in government, he served at the highest levels in the Georgia House of Representatives as Chief of Staff to former Speaker of the House Terry Coleman. In that position, Clayton demonstrated his deft touch as he worked behind the scenes to shepherd controversial bills into law at a time of political acrimony and upheaval within state government. Once Speaker Coleman left office, Clayton assisted in the transition for the first Republican Speaker in Georgia's history.

Clayton maintains strong relationships with key decision makers, in both parties, within the executive branch and legislative branch. He also has a proven ability to shape policy decisions within state agencies. His firm, Georgia Public Affairs, often represents Fortune 500 companies as well as public interests in front of all facets of state government. From transportation to healthcare Georgia Public Affairs has made an essential impact on policy in favor of their clients.

He is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A in Public Relations, and he also has his J.D. from Georgia State University. Clayton is a member of the Georgia Bar Association, Cartersville Zoning Board, as well as several boards at the state and local level.

Clayton was an original member of the Finance Committee for Governor Brian Kemp. He also has served on the Inaugural Executive Committee for Brian Kemp for Governor.

John is a proud member of the University of Georgia Alumni Association, as well as the Georgia State Alumni Association where he was selected as a member of their 40 under 40 class.
John and his wife Kate attend Macedonia Baptist Church and reside in Cartersville, GA with their two boys, Thomas and Jack, and daughter, Evie.

Sally Kilpatrick advises a diverse set of clients on state legislative and regulatory issues with a focus on healthcare, energy, education and economic development policy. Sally joined Cornerstone's Atlanta, Georgia office in September 2015 and has more than 10 years of experience providing strategic advice to the private sector.

Prior to joining Cornerstone, Sally served as vice president of government affairs at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the state's largest business advocacy organization. Through her seven-year tenure at the Chamber, Sally developed an extensive background managing legislative and regulatory issues in the policy areas of water, energy, education, economic development and health care. While at the Chamber, Sally served on the Technology Association of Georgia's Government Affairs Taskforce and the Georgia Water Alliance. She managed the Georgia Chamber's Local Chamber Legislative Ad Hoc Committee and legislative affairs for Chamber's Small Business Advisory Council.

She has established strong, bipartisan working relationships with House and Senate members of the Georgia General Assembly and state agency officials. Her industry specific knowledge and key relationships have been valuable in assisting clients to successfully achieve their legislative and regulatory objectives at the state Capitol.

Sally is a current board member of Atlanta Moms Making A Difference and serves on the executive committee of the Georgia Chamber's Government Affairs Council.

Sally earned her B.S. in Journalism at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She and her husband Trey reside in Atlanta with their daughter, Phen, and son, Clark.