6-10 years

Jeff Guillot is one of the founding partners of Millennial Strategies, a five-year old consulting firm with Offices in Huntington and lower Manhattan. Since its inception, Millennial has been a driving force behind some of New York State's most successful forward-thinking public policy endeavors- everything from improving public education and promoting environmental stability to passing Universal Pre-K, Paid Family Leave Legislation and recently, ushering in the legalization of ridesharing services statewide. Jeff is also the Co-Founder of Recruit Long Island, a nonprofit organization dedicated to workforce development and millennial retention

His prior public sector experience includes working as Finance Director for Congressman Gary Ackerman and City Councilman James Gennaro. Additionally, he has served as Legislative Director for Assemblyman Richard Brodsky during his tenure as the Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. Jeff holds a BA from Sacred Heart University and an MA in American Government from LIU Post. Jeff is currently doing Doctoral work at Northeastern University and plans to earn a Doctorate in Law & Policy by the Summer of 2021.

He currently serves as a member of the adjunct political science faculty at Suffolk County Community College. He also serves on the board of the New Leaders Council NYC Chapter and served as the Chapter's Selections Chair for the last five years. His Op-Eds and articles have been featured in USA Today, AND Magazine, PolicyMic, Newsday, and CNBC and the New York Times. Jeff lives in Babylon Village with his wife and their adorable baby boy named Lincoln James.

20+ years

2010 Agnes Ohlson Diamond Jubilee Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Through Political Action by the Connecticut Nurses' Association

Lori Samele-Bates serves as a Government Relations Specialist in Brown Rudnick's Hartford Office. She focuses on providing public policy services to clients, including administrative and legislative lobbying, as well as aiding in the development and execution of strategies to achieve her clients' goals. She also assists with grass-roots strategies, advocacy and constituent development.

Lori has significant experience advocating to policymakers on the federal, state and local levels. She was formerly the Manager of Government Relations for Cablevision of Connecticut, where she acted as the primary liaison with three regional cable advisory councils and ensured company compliance with Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) regulations. Lori also has experience with the Connecticut State Senate in serving as Supervisor of Legislative Aides, where she worked with Senate leadership officials to create legislative strategies and consensus-building.

Prior to joining Brown Rudnick, Lori worked as a Government Affairs Consultant at Murtha Cullina LLP, where she focused on assisting clients in the environmental, education, energy and health care industries.

15-20 years

Courtney serves on the boards of directors for Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University and Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. She is a Commissioner on the Louisiana River Pilotage Fee Commission, and a past member of the Reentry Advisory Council. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Courtney launched Courtney Baker & Associates in 2021, consulting with private clients after 15 years in the government relations field. She is a former policy director and development director for the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, where she successfully lobbied for legislation aimed at improving the state's business climate and coordinated campaign and fundraising events for candidates endorsed by the organization's Political Action Committees, leveraging relationships with donors and a network of advocates. Prior to joining LABI, she served in the Jindal Administration as Legislative Liaison for the Department of Children and Family Services, after working for both Governors Kathleen Blanco and Mike Foster.

Nial Patel joined Cornerstone Government Affairs in 2011 after more than seven years of service to Governor Bobby Jindal, dating back to his first run for governor in 2003. As one of the longest serving senior staff members for the Governor, Nial worked as the director of scheduling. Additionally, when Governor Jindal was elected to Congress, Nial served as his executive assistant. During his tenure with Jindal, Nial's duties varied from campaigning to research and outreach, working with elected politicians, stakeholders, and government officials from Washington, D.C. and across the state of Louisiana.

Nial holds a Masters in Economics from the Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University (LSU), and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from LSU, where he also minored Political Science and Business Administration.

Originally from New Orleans, Nial attended Holy Cross High School and the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. In 2014, he was recognized as one of the top forty under 40 leaders in the community, and is alum of the Baton Rouge Leadership and Louisiana Leadership programs. Nial serves on the Southeast Super Region Committee, Greater New Orleans Inc.'s Next Gen Council, New Schools for Baton Rouge Board, Teach for America Board, and is Chairman of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry's Emerging Leaders Council. He has helped raised money for the American Cancer Society, Republican Governor's Association, and several elected officials. Nial currently resides in Baton Rouge.

15-20 years

State Government Affairs Council

With nearly two decades of governmental experience, as both a public employee and as a private consultant, Tim Shea has developed a keen understanding of how the government works and how to achieve results for clients within the governmental arena. Serving as Director of Brown Rudnick's Government Relations Practice in the Hartford Office, Tim directs the firm's local and state activities at both the legislative and executive branch levels, servicing a full slate of government relations clients.

Tim's clients include energy and technology companies, health care institutions, biopharmaceutical companies, large multi-national corporations and non-profit entities.

Before joining Brown Rudnick, Tim spent seven years at Capitol City Economic Development Authority (CCEDA), the quasi-public authority formed to direct and manage state-supported economic development in and around Hartford, Connecticut's Capital City.

11-15 years

Gabrielle Kees joined Cornerstone Government Affairs in 2009 with over 12 years of experience working in and around the Louisiana Legislature and Louisiana politics.

Gabrielle served as a senior lobbyist for the Louisiana Association for Justice for six years, leading legislative efforts to preserve and improve access to the civil justice system and the legal profession. She built dozens of strong relationships with legislators and their staff and in her spare time, worked on several campaigns for legislative candidates. Gabrielle continues to represent the association as outside counsel and leads the team for Cornerstone.

In addition to her work with LAJ, Gabrielle is an integral part of several other Cornerstone client teams including UnitedHealth, CenturyLink, and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

Prior to joining the LAJ, Gabrielle spent six years as a staff attorney for various committees in the Louisiana House of Representatives. She began her career in the House as liaison to the Legislative Auditor's Office. She then staffed the House Committee on Agriculture, and eventually served as the attorney for the House Commerce Committee, where she specialized in drafting legislation on occupations and professions, banking and financial institutions, business associations, river navigation and piloting, and commerce in general.

Gabrielle received a BA in political science from Louisiana State University where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She earned a Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1996, and was admitted to the Louisiana Bar Association. After graduating she served as a law clerk for the 20th Judicial District Court.