(860) 548-2681
100 Pearl St., PO Box 231277, Hartford, CT, 06123,
Nothing in government happens by accident. To deal with government successfully, creative and effective representation is needed. We are an aggressive lobbying group that anticipates problems and develops strategies to achieve our clients' objectives. Whether our representation is to pass legislation or stop legislation, prevent a crisis or respond to a crisis, we have the ability and experience to achieve our clients' goals and objectives. Our success is in our proven track record. We are a strong bipartisan team that is one of Connecticut's most highly respected government relations practice groups and are recognized for effective and articulate promotion of the interests of our clients.
Firm Specialties:
Unlike most Connecticut lobbying firms, we unite the legal, lobbying and public affairs disciplines through unique experience and intimate familiarity with the legislative and lawmaking process of the State of Connecticut. It is an asset that separates the Firm from its competitors. Few, if any, public affairs corporations offer our capability and professionalism.
We also provide legislative monitoring and personal tracking of legislative issues and proposals, and employ specially-trained staff for the purposes of following pending bills, legislative hearings, committee meetings, amendments and other items of interest.
FOCUS Government Affairs @ UKS is a full service government relations firm that draws upon the knowledge and experience of attorneys, former executive branch officials, and specialists whose collective expertise is made available to all our governmental affairs clients. This team-based approach ensures that the proper resources are determined and committed, so that our government affairs clients receive the most efficient, cost-effective professional services possible.
We provide a broad spectrum of legislative, regulatory, administrative and executive lobbying and consulting services to a wide range of clients. Because we have over 60 years of experience working with and within government, we are experts on the legislative process and can skillfully negotiate with staff and elected officials. In addition, our strong relationships with federal, state and local elected officials allow us to effectively assist our clients in their dealings with all levels of government.
FOCUS Government Affairs has strategic relationship with Connecticut-based law firm Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, PC that allow us to provide an additional level of service including legal advice, counsel, and legal assistance to corporate, institutional, municipal, and individual clients.
1) American International Group, Inc.
3) Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc.
4) AXS
6) Connecticut Association of Pawnbrokers
7) Connecticut Association of Realtors, Inc.
8) Connecticut Police & Fire Union
9) Connecticut State Firefighters Association
10) Connecticut State Society of Anesthesiologists
11) Connecticut Tourism Coalition
12) Connecticut Votes for Animals
13) Consumer Healthcare Products Association
14) Cordata Healthcare Innovations Inc.
16) CT Attorneys Title Insurance Co.
18) Encompass Health
20) Flock Safety
21) Hartford County Medical Association
23) Liberty Bank
24) Lincoln Technical Institute
25) NEAM
26) New Haven Center for Performing Arts
27) North Highland Company, LLC
28) Northwest CT Public Safety Communication Center, Inc.
29) Pattern Energy
30) Porter & Chester Institute
31) Post University
32) Ryan, LLC
34) The Personal Care Products Council
35) Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters
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.
Created the first a trade association of Maryland's nine Medicaid MCOs and served as Director and principal lobbyist for the MCOs who are responsible for providing health care to 1.2 million Marylanders enrolled in the Medicaid program
Provides strategic consulting and lobbying to the Maryland Hospital Association and its 64 hospitals on medical liability, tort reform, and integrated community oncology issues.
Lobbied for the passage of legislation on behalf of ZERO to Prostate Cancer making Maryland the second state in America to eliminate cost-sharing for prostate cancer screening
Named 2020 Top Lobbyist by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE)
1) Adobe Inc.
3) American Petroleum Institute
4) Amgen, Inc.
5) AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, LP
6) Baltimore County Public Library Board of Trustees
8) Capital One
11) Choptank Electric Cooperative, Inc.
12) City of Bowie
13) Clark Construction Group, LLC
14) Comcast Cable Communications LLC
17) Equifax Inc.
18) Equinor Wind US
19) Fenwick Behavioral Services
20) Francis Energy
22) Historic St. Mary's City Commission Foundation
23) Johns Hopkins
24) Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.
26) Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc.
29) Maryland Center for History & Culture
30) Maryland Hospital Association
31) Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission
32) Maryland National Electrical Contractors Association
33) Maryland Troopers Association
34) Maryland-Delaware-DC Beverage Association
35) Mechanical Contractors Association of Maryland, Inc.
37) National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
38) Nutanix
42) Prince George's County, Maryland
46) St. Mary's College of Maryland Foundation
47) Strittmatter Companies, Inc.
48) Susan G. Komen
49) Teach Coalition
50) TechNet
51) Thread, Inc.
Delora R. Sanchez, Esq. joined Cornerstone in October 2015 after leading Johns Hopkins Medical System's government affairs team. Delora spent nearly a decade representing Hopkins' interests before the Maryland General Assembly, Governor's office, and state administrative agencies. She has an extensive background in state legislative and regulatory issues.
As a senior vice president in Cornerstone's Annapolis office, Delora specializes in representing hospitals, managed care organizations (MCOs), pharmaceutical manufactures, medical cannabis companies, and private sector special interests. Over the past 10 years, Delora has used her deep policy expertise and legislative connections to save or create tens of millions of dollars in state funding for clients; shape Maryland's medical liability policy; and steer the top healthcare system in the world through the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the creation of the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange.
Delora was recognized by the Daily Record in 2017 as a VIP, 40 under 40 and as a Leading Woman in 2013. In 2014 Sanchez was named a Marshall Memorial Fellow -- the flagship leadership development program of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. From 2008 to 2010 she was appointed by the President of Johns Hopkins University to serve on the Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council. During the same time period, she was also appointed by then Governor Martin O'Malley to the Maryland Commission for Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities.
Delora is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and serves as chair of community engagement on the board of directors for Thread, which engages underperforming high school students facing significant barriers outside of the classroom. As a native of Baltimore and current South Baltimore resident, Delora was proud to accept an appointment by the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates to the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership Board. The organization is responsible for distributing approximately $8 million in casino revenue for community development projects in the areas immediately impacted by the casino's construction. Previously, she was a board member of the Charles Village Community Benefits District and Vice Chair of the board for Hope Forward, which provides support transitioning for former foster youth.
Delora holds a Juris Doctor degree with a concentration in Health Law from University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and an undergraduate degree in Healthcare Management from Towson University. She is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Delora is a lifelong resident of Baltimore and enjoys living downtown, yoga, and biking around the City.
PO Box 942, Middlebury, CT, 06762,
301-412-5399
2 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401,
410-204-1707
2 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401,
1) Adobe Inc.
3) Amgen, Inc.
4) AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, LP
5) Baltimore County Public Library Board of Trustees
8) Clark Construction Group, LLC
10) Equifax Inc.
11) Equinor Wind US
12) Historic St. Mary's City Commission Foundation
13) Johns Hopkins
17) Maryland Center for History & Culture
18) Maryland Hospital Association
19) Mid-Atlantic Petroleum Distributors Association
20) National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
21) Nutanix
23) Prince George's County, Maryland
26) St. Mary's College of Maryland Foundation
27) Susan G. Komen
28) Teach Coalition
