20+ years

Designated by peers as one of the most effective lobbyists in North Carolina

Recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Recognized in Best Lawyers in America in the area of government
relations practice, and as Lawyer of the Year in government relations practice in Raleigh

Selected by the American Registry as the top 1% of America's Most Honored Lawyers for 2020

To be provided upon specific request

Former North Carolina State Senator Alexander "Sandy" Sands is the leader of the firm's Public Policy and Governmental Affairs Group in Raleigh. He is a Registered Lobbyist. He represents businesses and individuals who have matters before both the legislative and executive branches of government in North Carolina. He's proven himself to be quite effective. When the North Carolina Center for Public Policy surveyed members of the General Assembly and lobbyists in 2009, researchers found Sands to be the 3rd most influential lobbyist in the Tarheel state.

Sandy has used his many years as a litigator in state and federal trial and appellate courts to develop his advocacy skills, which he now uses effectively for his clients in his lobbying and administrative law practice. He served as a North Carolina State Senator from 1986 until 1994. During that service he rose to the position of Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate.

6-10 years

James Sherwood is a senior vice president with McGuireWoods Consulting, and counsel with McGuireWoods LLP. Prior to joining the firm, he served as deputy legal counsel and ethics officer in the Illinois House of Representatives. James assists clients on a range of issues, including data privacy and security, worker classification and the gig economy, electrification of the transportation sector and the affordable housing crisis. He also counsels clients on various tax incentive programs. Most recently, he assisted an international data center client in obtaining a tax incentive for data centers located in Illinois.

As deputy legal counsel, James advised legislators on a variety of matters, including legislation that overhauled the state's energy policies, transitioned Illinois to a statewide 9-1-1 system and dealt with the increase in heroin and opiate abuse. In his role as ethics officer, James ensured members were apprised of their duties under Illinois ethics laws and regulations, and advised members to ensure compliance therewith.

James also serves as a board member on the Public Policy Committee for the Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

20+ years

We are a lobbying firm providing one-stop services for our clients.

One critical achievement was the passage of legislation which amended the statute governing the Charter County Transportation Surtax, now called the Charter County and Regional Transportation System Surtax. The change allowed all charter counties in Florida to utilize this funding mechanism, via referendum. JEJ & Associates' strategy was to cultivate legislative sponsors in each of the chambers, while simultaneously working with other groups, such as Polk County, to develop a coalition of supporters. After securing sponsors, Lena worked with legislators to explain the priority and its importance for transit agencies. JEJ & Associates developed written materials, coordinated testimony before legislative committees and monitored opponents' activities for parliamentary maneuvers which could affect the outcome. This legislative change was approved and became law.

A Central Florida commercial airport was experiencing a problem with multitudes of birds which interfered with airline traffic due to the inherent dangers of bird strikes. Lena initiated discussions with local legislators, worked with committee staff to write the bill, found sponsors in both chambers, educated legislators on the issue, worked with committee chairs to ensure that the bill would be heard in the referenced committees, visited legislators prior to the bill reaching the chamber floors, and pushed for the governor to sign the bill into law once it was passed. As a result of this, the Airline Safety and Wildlife Protection Act became Florida law and has since served as model legislation for other states on how to deal with the issue.

Lena has been appointed to numerous state-wide boards by current and former Senate Presidents and House Speakers.

Lena Juarez is the founder of JEJ & Associates, a governmental consulting firm with offices in Tallahassee, FL and Orlando, FL. She is a graduate of Sophie Newcomb Memorial College of Tulane University and the Reubin O'D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University.

Lena has been active in politics since a very young age and has served on many local and statewide boards. She has been appointed to numerous statewide boards by current and former Senate Presidents and House Speakers.Lena is a graduate of Leadership Tallahassee and Leadership Florida, which are programs of the local and state Chamber of Commerce. Lena is a member of the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists.

Lena is a Central Florida native, competes in triathlons and is an avid traveler.

11-15 years