MICHELLE MCGEE focuses her practice on government affairs representation before government bodies at the local, state and federal levels. She has extensive experience representing clients' interests before both the Massachusetts and Connecticut legislative and executive branches of government. Formerly, Michelle worked at New England Electric System (now National Grid) where she developed and implemented comprehensive legislative and external strategies to achieve New England Electric's public policy initiatives in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. Prior to establishing Kearney, Donovan & McGee, LLC, Ms. McGee was a member of the government affairs practice group at Choate, Hall & Stewart.

ANTHONY PETRUCCELLI came to Kearney, Donovan & McGee LLC with extensive experience at the municipal and state levels of government in Massachusetts. First elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1999 and then the Massachusetts Senate in 2007, Anthony is well-versed in legislative issues and is able to use his unique perspective to successfully advocate for his clients' interests.

20+ years

Contributed to Michigan's renewable energy reform package, which overhauled the state's siting process for utility-scale wind, solar, and storage projects and established a clean energy standard of 100% by 2040.

Contributed to Michigan's public safety legislation package addressing firearm background checks and safe storage requirements.

Secured one of Michigan's largest housing grant appropriations on behalf of an economic development client, enabling substantial new attainable housing development and directly addressing a critical regional housing shortage.

Negotiated over $40M in capital outlay renovation and maintenance projects.

Planned legislative event for New York private equity firm to promote public-private partnership relationships in Michigan and to develop relationships with department directors, the Governor's office, and the Legislature.

Negotiated $120M multi-year contract with Department of Management and Budget for client.

Negotiated $100M contract extension for with Department of Management and Budget and developed strategic plan to position client for winning bid in state data warehouse contract.

Worked with Michigan Governor's Office, Legislature, Attorney General's Office, and state departments on joint projects, legislative proposals, and programs affecting DMB priorities; responsible for legislative and legal oversight of DMB's agenda including the Michigan State Fair, Office of the Children's Ombudsman, Veterans Memorial Commission, and Law Enforcement Memorial Commission.

Worked with Legislature, governor's legal counsel and various interest groups to craft legislation enabling transfer of Michigan State Fairgrounds from Department of Agriculture to Department of Management and Budget.

Successfully developed and implemented strategy for legislative approval of construction of the new Michigan State Police Headquarters.

Mediated landlord contract disputes between Department of Management and Budget Real Estate Division constituent landlords and key state officials.

Responsible for relationship development between Department of Management and Budget staff and Legislative members of Joint Capital Outlay committee.

Assists environmental and mining companies build relationships with Michigan's legislature and the governor's office.

Citizens Research Council of Michigan, Director

UM Sparrow Health System, Board Member

Lansing Regional Chamber Public Policy Committee, Member

MI-ACE Public Policy Committee, Member

National Black Professional Lobbyists Association, Member

DENNIS J. KEARNEY concentrates his practice in government. He provides legal, legislative and strategic services to clients affected by local, state or federal government policy, legislation or regulation. Dennis formerly served in local, state and county government including 12 years in elected office as a member of the Massachusetts Legislature and as Sheriff of Suffolk County. Prior to forming Kearney, Donovan & McGee, LLC in 2003, Mr. Kearney managed the government practice group at Choate, Hall & Stewart, and served as President of Kearney & Gleason, P.C.

CHARLENE RIDEOUT provides government relations and lobbying services to clients of Kearney Donovan & McGee, P.C. Formerly, Ms. Rideout served as Intergovernmental Affairs Manager for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). In that capacity, she was responsible for implementing legislative and regulatory strategies as well as promoting and advocating MWRA's legislative agenda. Prior to working at MWRA, Ms. Rideout was legislative director for the Massachusetts State Senate Assistant Majority Leader and Senate Chair of the Banks and Banking Committee.

Greening of Detroit, Board Member (2023-Present)

iMPROve Health, Board Member (2022-Present)

Develop Detroit, Board Member (2022-Present)

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Board Member (2019-Present)

Chandler Park Conservancy, Board Member (2019-Present)

Mayor's Workforce Development board, City of Detroit (2018-Present)

Career and Educational Advisory Council, Member

Ron Stallworth is an attorney and lobbyist who bridges the gap between clients, the Michigan legislature and local governments. With a wealth of experience, he offers guidance on navigating intricate issues and legislative processes, particularly those that directly influence businesses across the state.

Ron is thoroughly committed to resolving challenges for his clients and leveraging legal frameworks to advance worthy causes that profoundly impact communities and individuals. His work centers on building coalitions and creating pathways for businesses to receive tax incentives, relocation opportunities and to obtain permitting and licensing that's imperative to the growth and expansion of Michigan commerce. Finding common ground among city governments and neighborhoods, residents, associations and block clubs – Ron forges equitable and harmonious relationships that foster cooperation, understanding and mutual prosperity for all stakeholders involved.

A Detroit native, Ron's roots run deep within the vibrant city, intertwining with its essence and shaping his profound connection to its culture, community and spirit. His expansive network connects him to an abundance of insight and expertise, ensuring he always stays at the forefront of both emerging and enduring public policy matters.

Prior to joining Warner, Ron was the senior manager of state and local public affairs for Stellantis where he oversaw a 10-state region and Wayne County, focusing on legislative policy and government affairs. His responsibilities included leading and developing coalitions with various stakeholders such as government officials, community college and public-school leaders, nonprofit and community organizations to achieve private and public investments with long-term transformative impact. He led strategies to mitigate costs and other roadblocks to economic development by ensuring corporate operational units aligned with local regulations and expectations of residents and other community leaders. Ron led several high-profile initiatives and secured economic development incentives, including training grants, tax credits and other programs to support operational needs at Wayne County manufacturing facilities. He also represented and advocated for the company's interests through lobbying strategies across Michigan and other states.

Before Stellantis, Ron founded and owned Stallworth & Associates, a firm that provided legal representation to corporations, small businesses, nonprofits and individuals in various civil proceedings. He also held positions as associate general counsel and vice president of government relations, associate vice president for the office of general counsel and director of government relations and associate attorney – all for Health Alliance Plan of Michigan.

11-15 years

Arkansas College Media Award winner for photo and print
Arkansas Business 30 under 30
National Junior Chamber President's Medal of Honor winner and Ambassador to Japan
Arkansas Junior Chamber Star Award

Our representation for energy and insurance clients keeps us close to the Insurance and Commerce Committees. Our pharmaceutical and other health related clients keep us close to the Public Health Committees. However, we regularly have bills in other committees and can successfully lobby the entire house and senate.

We have relationships all over our state government. If we don't know someone already we will find an introduction. We specialize in cultivating long term relationships with people and always remain loyal to our friends and those that help us.

My father returned home to Harrison, Arkansas after playing for the Denver Broncos for a few years and began working as a sales rep for Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Over the next decade he worked his way up to VP of marketing. In 1986 I was 8 years old and he was asked to be something called a "lobbyist". I immediately was in love. I knew at eight years old that I wanted to be a lobbyist when I grew up. Believe it or not I planned my life accordingly.

In the early 90's the newspapers had painted a target on all of the lobbyists in Arkansas. Dad had a heated exchange with a legislator and an editorialist took some liberties with article. I knew then that I wanted to join the media before lobbying in order to avoid anything like that. In high school, I managed the local GNC, volunteered for every campaign that I could and took summer work at the capitol as a driver and staffer for our Treasurer and Attorney General. I took some journalism courses and immediately got a job as a reporter when I started college.

After college I was an inaugural staff member for Governor Mike Beebe. After serving as a policy adviser I left to join my father's firm, Phillips Management and Consulting Service. After having a very successful run under a Democratic administration, we had a very smooth transition into the next Republican administration with myself serving on incoming Governor Asa Hutchinson's transition team in the areas of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Information Systems.
We love our job. Neither my father nor myself plan to retire. We want to lobby as long as we can.

In 2009 I started a company called LobbyUp. I was disappointed with the only bill tracking service available in Arkansas so I built my own. We now have over 50,000 users in 14 states and we'll continue to add states until we are in all 50 and congress. We have a free mobile app for android and ios.

PAUL DONOVAN's practice is focused in the area of government relations, including representation before government bodies at the local, state and federal levels. He has extensive experience representing clients before the Massachusetts General Court, where he has been successful helping clients meet their governmental objectives.

Paul worked for 10 years at the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, earning a seat on the Sheriff's Department management team. In addition, Paul provided counsel to the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association on various legislative issues. Paul has been involved in numerous political campaigns, including a 1993 Boston mayoral campaign, in which he was responsible for directing a field operation of more than 2,500 people. Prior to establishing Kearney, Donovan, and McGee, LLC, Mr. Donovan was a member of the government practice group of Choate, Hall & Stewart.

Transition Director, Michigan Office of the Attorney General Elect, 2010

Assistant Attorney General, Michigan Office of Attorney General, 2011-2012

Environmental Advisory Rules Committee, Michigan Office of Regulatory Reinvention (Chair, Remediation Subcommittee) - 2011-2012

Collaborative Stakeholder Initiative, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, 2012

Criteria Stakeholder Advisory Group, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, 2014-2015

Landscape Architect Ad Hoc Committee, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing - 2020-present

Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors (2024-26)

Hispanic Center of West Michigan, Board of Directors (2022-25)

Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Chair, Energy and Environment Committee (2021-Present)

West Michigan Air and Waste Management Association

National Brownfields Association

Republican National Lawyers Association

Gracefully navigating the intersection of law, policy and politics, Troy Cumings is a Warner partner and government affairs attorney who specializes in achieving solutions to complex and contentious government affairs issues. He has served as a primary advocate for some of the most polarizing and high-profile issues in Michigan over the past 10 years.

Troy is regarded as one of the lead proponents in the state on environmental policy, but has extensive experience with a myriad of other policy areas, including health care, child welfare, tax, economic incentives, labor, energy, mining, licensing, religious issues and banking. One of the top campaign-finance and election lawyers in the state, he regularly represents statewide candidates and ballot initiatives, local and state public officials, PACs, nonprofit entities and political parties.

Launching Warner's Government Affairs practice in 2007, Troy hasn't looked back, effectively bringing the lobbying strengths of K Street to Lansing. Most lobbyists in Michigan are not lawyers, which qualifies Troy somewhat uniquely to finesse the laws and policies that may impact businesses and organizations with a Michigan presence. His impact often transcends Michigan borders, reaching other states, Washington, D.C. or globally.

A recently administered "Kolbe A Index Test," which measures the instinctive way that individuals take action when they strive, confirmed Troy's somewhat rare "quick starter" quality. But his clients would confirm this and could speak to his ease in idea generation, as well as his strong relationship and consensus-building skills - all must-have attributes in a sought-after lobbyist. While Troy always plays to win, he effectively "plays well" with other lawyers and lobbyists. Wherever in Michigan, D.C. or well beyond, this is how successful business gets done - and Troy gets it done.