15-20 years

Steve Wise joined the Firm in 2002 and became a partner in 2008. Early in his career with the Firm he was recognized by the The Gazette as one of the "Rising Stars" of the State House lobbying corps, and he has consistently ranked among the top earning lobbyists in Annapolis since that time.

Steve represents a diverse group of clients before the General Assembly and State agencies, including trade associations and companies in the alcoholic beverage, insurance, gaming, health care, telecommunications and environmental industries.

Mr. Wise's legal practice focuses on administrative law and regulatory matters. He has appeared before the Liquor Boards in 16 of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions and before the Office of the Comptroller, representing alcoholic beverage licensees on licensing and enforcement matters. Steve also represents health care professionals in licensing and disciplinary proceedings before the Board of Physicians, insurance producers and premium finance companies before the Insurance Administration, and has represented maritime-related industries before the Department of Natural Resources. Steve has appeared in many of the State's Circuit Courts, and litigated cases both before the Court of Special Appeals and Court of Appeals.

Steve received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1991 and his Masters degree in Public Administration in 1994, both from Florida State University. He graduated cum laude from the University Of Baltimore School Of Law in 2001, and he is admitted to the Maryland State Bar as well as the U.S. District Court for Maryland. Mr. Wise was born and raised on Maryland's Eastern Shore in Denton, and now resides in Annapolis with his wife Amy and twin sons.

11-15 years

As President of Oxley and Associates, Evyan Andries manages the firm's operations and development of political strategy for its diverse client base. She brings over a decade of experience in helping clients navigate complex regulatory, legislative, and political issues with agencies, municipalities, and state and local governments. In her time at Oxley, she has built trusted relationships with legislators, local government officials and leadership at agencies across the state.

Evyan is an adept political strategist and negotiator. She has helped shape the political and regulatory environment on issues in health care, transportation, energy, criminal justice, agriculture, and labor and employment among others. When Oregon's decision makers debate controversial policies impacting corporations, businesses, associations, or nonprofits, Evyan ensures her clients have a seat at the table. She's supported several of Oregon's largest retailers in navigating an evolving regulatory and political environment, allowing them to build a a strong reputation within the community while maintaining their operational integrity. Her rapport, expertise, and work ethic have helped clients start important conversations in the state from modernization of the public defense system to bringing baseball to Portland through the Portland Diamond Project.

Evyan has built a strong reputation in crisis management, supporting clients through a challenging, ever-changing regulatory environment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires. With boots on the ground, she was able advise clients on required adjustments to their operations to ensure compliance and safety in the community.

Evyan received her Bachelors degree in International Management from Pepperdine University and a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the Strauss Institute at the Pepperdine School of Law. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of LEAP, Leaders and Executives Across Professions, an organization of women executives focusing on career advancement, mentoring and referrals. In her spare time, Evyan enjoys being with her husband Colin and son Jack, exploring Oregon's beautiful scenery, hosting casual dinner parties, attending shows and traveling internationally. She has an adventurous spirit and has lived in Italy and London, where she became proficient in Italian and French.

Chris joined the firm in November of 2000 after serving seven years in Florida government. During this time, Chris served as the Assistant to the Chief of Staff and the Deputy Chief of Staff to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Prior to serving in Governor Bush's administration, Chris served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Legislative Director, and Special Assistant to former Florida Education Commissioner and former Florida Lt. Governor Frank T. Brogan. Chris also served as a legislative aide in the Florida House of Representatives. Throughout the years, Chris has worked on various state and local campaigns, including the 1998 and 2002 Bush/Brogan gubernatorial campaigns.

A devoted community activist, Chris was a finalist for Volunteer of the Year in 2007. Chris has served on the Board of Directors for the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science, where he served for two years as Chairman, the Board of Directors for the United Way of the Big Bend, and the Board of Directors for the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. Chris is currently the Chairman of the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, a not-for-profit statewide association representing agencies which serve homeless, runaway, and troubled youth. Chris also serves on the local advisory board for Hancock Bank and is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Maclay School. Chris was recently appointed by Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum to the Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority, an entity created by the Florida Legislature to promote the business and hospitality interests of downtown Tallahassee.

A native of Fort Myers, Florida, Chris Dudley graduated from the University of South Florida in 1993 with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. Chris, his wife Susanne, and their two sons live in Tallahassee.

Launched Cornerstone's 13th state office in South Carolina

Former Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel for the South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee

20+ years

Kyle G. Michel is a Columbia, SC lawyer-lobbyist specializing in government policy and related law. His background is primarily in lobbying and providing guidance to clients interacting with state and federal government, which he has done since 1994. Mr. Michel also represents clients before local government bodies in South Carolina. He has considerable experience in budget, energy, economic development, and education issues, but also works in other issue areas including criminal justice, healthcare, environment, and transportation. In addition to policy advocacy, he represents clients seeking government contracts for goods and services.Mr. Michel is retained to execute advocacy projects on behalf of clients. This work involves developing policy strategies, direct advocacy with government officials, drafting policy documents, and legislative drafting. Mr. Michel is also retained to provide counsel on policy and political forecasting. This work involves monitoring policy and political developments and advising clients on likely outcomes that affect their interests. Prior to forming Kyle Michel Law Firm in South Carolina in 2003, Mr. Michel was Vice President and General Counsel of Morgan Meguire, LLC, a lobbying firm in Washington, DC. He founded the firm with a partner in 1998 and expanded it to a twelve-person practice before relocating to South Carolina. At Morgan Meguire, he lobbied on behalf of clients before Congress, the White House, and executive branch departments and agencies. From 1993 to 1998, Mr. Michel practiced at the firm today known as Dentons in Washington, DC, specializing in federal government affairs. He represented Fortune 100 companies on policy matters in Congress and at the White House.Prior to practicing law, Mr. Michel worked as a Legislative Assistant in the U.S. Senate and in the White House as an advisor on personnel matters. Mr. Michel is a member of the South Carolina and Washington, DC, Bars. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Texas A&M University. He graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee School of Law. He and his wife Melanie have four children and live in Columbia.

David Browning is one of Florida's top political campaign operatives. David has worked with Florida's most powerful elected officials and brings a new dimension to Southern Strategy Group's team of lobbyists in Tallahassee. David was instrumental in raising millions of dollars for campaign war chests in the 2010 election cycle for Governor Rick Scott. David also worked for Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and set fundraising records for those campaigns. Fundraiser, strategist, and confidante, David is among a handful of insiders who help guide candidates to victory in Florida.

David has been equally busy helping the legislative branch. David served as the chief fundraiser for Speaker Dean Cannon. David's responsibilities included raising money for Speaker Cannon's personal campaign, as well as working with House leadership to raise money for the House Republican Caucus. Through these efforts, the Florida House returned 81 republican members giving them a supermajority.

In the Florida Senate David represented Senate President Mike Haridopolos and Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner. David worked with Senator John Thrasher who was elected in a highly contested special election. David brings his unique expertise to the Tallahassee team and offers our clients unprecedented insight into the workings of state government.

David is a graduate of Florida State University with a degree in Political Science.

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.

A leader within Florida's government relations arena, Mercer Fearington, Jr. has been representing clients before the executive and legislative branches of Florida government since the mid-1990's. Mercer is the past Chairman of the Florida Agricultural Coalition and is a graduate of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture -- an affiliate of the Institute of Food and Agriculture and Sciences at the University of Florida. Mercer is a graduate of Mercer University.

Mercer lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Lindsey, and their three daughters.

15-20 years

Mark Gaines Named to Alabama Today's 32 Powerful and Influential Alabamians to Know

"Mark Gaines has been around for decades, bringing a wealth of knowledge, decades-long relationships, and a positive attitude to the political arena in Alabama."


Southern Political Report - The South's Top Government Affairs Firms

"The law firm of Adams and Reese placed #1 in the states of Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee and also ranked in the top five in Mississippi and South Carolina.

Adams and Reese has a long-standing reputation as one of the region's most prominent Government Relations firms now with 16 offices in 15 markets across the Southern United States and Washington, D.C."

Mark Gaines lobbies at the local, state and federal level - in Alabama and Washington, D.C. - advising corporate clients on regulatory, legislative and economic development matters. His clients include companies in the telecommunications, road and bridge construction, infrastructure, financial, pharmaceutical, health care, alcohol, and defense industries as well as municipal governments and educational institutions. Having spent 15 years in state government and more than a decade providing government relations services, Mark has developed long-term personal and professional relationships with important decision makers at every level of government. He is skilled at building political coalitions to achieve client objectives.

Prior to joining Adams and Reese, Mark served as Probate Judge for Jefferson County and was elected to four terms in the Alabama House of Representatives. During his time in the legislature, he served on various legislative committees and commissions and served as the Republican Leader of the House and Chair of the House Republican Caucus. Mark has managed, consulted or counseled dozens of political campaigns, grassroots efforts and ballot initiatives, including races for Governor, U.S. Senate, judicial offices, and state legislative seats.

Prior to joining the firm, Mark was in private law practice concentrating in the areas of real estate, probate, wills, trusts and business entities. He tried many jury and non-jury cases to verdict in courts throughout Alabama.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships:
Alabama House of Representatives, Member, 1990-2005
Jefferson County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, Vice Chair, 2004-2005
Jefferson County Coroner and Medical Examiner's Board, Member, 1998-2005
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, Commissioner, 1994-2005
Probate Judge of Jefferson County, 2005-2007

15-20 years

Danna L. Kauffman, Esq. joined the firm in 2013 and became a partner in 2017. Throughout her career Danna has worked in various levels of State government and in the private sector. She has established a reputation as a problem solver and consensus builder who can handle complicated issues in a trusted and professional manner.

Beginning in 1997, Danna served as Counsel to the then House Environmental Matters Committee, working on complex health care issues, and then spent three years as a senior legislative advisor to Governor Glendening, where she worked on a wide range of issues in the areas of health, environment, civil rights and homeland security. Immediately prior to joining the Firm, Danna served as the Senior Vice President of Public Policy for LifeSpan Network, the leading senior care provider association in Maryland.

Raised in Howard County, Maryland, Danna holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from Towson University, where she graduated cum laude. In 1996, she graduated with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law, where she was an editor on the Maryland Law Review. Prior to entering State government service, Danna began her career as a litigation attorney at Smith, Somerville and Case, P.A. Danna resides in Annapolis with her husband and two children.

0-5 years

Jordan Bice joined Oxley & Associates in 2018. He works on a myriad of issues, including energy, transportation, and tax policy. He helps clients navigate Oregon's transition to a lower carbon emissions future and a cleaner transportation system by keeping his finger on the pulse with legislators and key state agencies, such as ODOE, DEQ, and ODOT. Whether it is helping transit programs run smoothly, businesses get goods to market, or troubleshooting carbon reduction programs, Jordan uses his policy and regulatory background, communication skills, and relationship building to help clients serve their customers better.

Before joining the Oxley team, Jordan worked in government affairs for the electric utility, Pacific Power, specializing in Oregon legislative issues and transportation electrification policy and programs. Prior to returning to Oregon, he worked in Washington, D.C. as a Legislative Aide for U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley on energy, environment, and agriculture issues. Jordan has campaign experience from his time working on a successful U.S. Senate race.

Jordan grew up in Lake Oswego and graduated from the University of Washington with a political science degree and a minor in music. Aside from work, he sits on the Board of Directors for the youth mentorship non-profit, Friends of Baseball, and lives in Southeast Portland with his wife, Samantha, son, Elliott, and Chihuahua, Griffey.

15-20 years

Has been named to the Columbia Regional Business Report Book of Lists as a top lobbyist for three consecutive years (2024 - 2026).

South Carolina General Assembly, Governor's Office and state agencies

Amber is a senior vice president of state government relations, assisting clients with traditional advocacy, lobbying and government relations services in matters before the South Carolina General Assembly and regulatory agencies. She has experience working with clients across industry sectors, including education, financial services, healthcare and energy. She assists clients with a variety of issues and has particular depth in the areas of non-profit advocacy and state budget requests. In addition, Amber works with multiple trade and business associations, managing programs, events, communications, membership, among other services.

Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Amber served as the director of government relations for the South Carolina Bankers Association. In that capacity, she was responsible for coordinating the organization's lobbying and legislative efforts at the state and federal level. Before that, Amber served as a leadership consultant for Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and traveled the country working with collegiate women on leadership and organizational management. She is a former intern of the Hodges Consulting Group, which was headed by former South Carolina governor and MWC president Jim Hodges.

Amber serves as the vice president of the South Carolina Girls State Foundation Board. She has been named to the Columbia Regional Business Report Book of Lists as a top lobbyist for three consecutive years (2024 - 2026).

20+ years

Gary Oxley established Oxley & Associates, Inc. in 1992, after serving as the Development & Government Affairs Manager for The Southland Corporation, a multi-level corporation that included the 7-Eleven Store chain and its subsidiaries. He has grown the firm into a multi-state, independent, full-service political and public affairs firm that represents a distinguished list of clients, including some of Oregon's largest employers. The broad range of issues that impact the firm's large portfolio of clients reflects the depth of public policy knowledge and related strategic skills that he brings into every advocacy situation he is asked to engage in at any point in time.

Gary has been actively involved in local politics and has been appointed to serve on a variety of state and local policy committees. He is a co-founder of the Retail Task Force (a coalition of real estate developers, realtors, national commercial tenants, and land use consultants). Gary previously served as a member of the Portland City Club's Land Use and Economic Development Committee, the State Health Department's Food Service Advisory Board, the Liquor Control Commission's Package Store Advisory Committee, and the Board of the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross. Gary is a member and past director of the Capitol Club.