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JAMES PAOLINO

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.

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.

NORA BURNES

Palattao Burnes Strategies is a top-tier government relations and legislative advocacy firm in Washington State, known for its specialized expertise, strategic vision, and strong commitment to client outcomes. Our method transcends typical advocacy by integrating thorough legislative tracking, proactive policy involvement, and tailored strategic counsel to advance client goals effectively in both legislative and regulatory contexts. Our bipartisan work with the Washington State Legislature and Executive Offices has resulted in impactful public policy reforms, bolstered by precise regulatory, legislative, and political insights customized to each client's objectives.

0-5 years

Before beginning her lobbying career, Nora worked as the top aide to the former Speaker of the House Frank Chopp and several other House Democratic Leadership team members, including Representative Christine Kilduff, currently the Speaker's Attorney, and former Democratic Caucus Chair Eric Pettigrew. A graduate of the University of Washington and Washington State University, Nora has served for 17 years in the U.S. Army and is a Civil Affairs officer and Jumpmaster in the U.S. Army Reserve. She is based in and lives with her family in Olympia, WA.

LEONARD LOPES

LEONARD LOPES

(Rhode Island, )

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

TVG provides customized lobbying and consulting services to a wide variety of businesses and organizations, from FORTUNE 500 companies to non-profit organizations. Working closely with our clients to understand their operations and the legal and regulatory issues that impact their operations, TVG conducts strategic planning exercises that can serve as long-term blueprints for achieving the clients' governmental relations goals.

TVG monitors legislative developments at the Rhode Island General Assembly that are of special interest to our clients and develops effective strategies to promote their particular interest to achieve the desired result.

As a government relations firm with extensive contacts throughout Rhode Island, TVG assists our clients to successfully navigate the waters of governmental bureaucracy and politics through established relationships with the appropriate key decision makers at all levels of federal, state, and local government.

TVG is proud of its results and is eager to deliver for you.

20+ years

RI State Nurses Association Excellence Award

Former Chief of Staff and Director of Policy & Legislation, Office of the Attorney General Patrick C Lynch

Former Legal Counsel to Lieutenant Governor, Charles J. Fogarty

Former Senate Parliamentarian

Former member of the Providence School Board

Former government affairs lobbyist and trial attorney for the Massachusetts Attorneys General, Scott Harshbarger and Thomas Reilly

LEONARD LOPES, ESQ.
President and Founder of The Victor Group

Leonard Lopes is the Founder and President of The Victor Group, LLC, with practice areas focused on state and local government relations and lobbying. Leonard has over two decades of governmental relations experience representing both public officials and corporate clients. He has over 25 years of experience with drafting state legislation and appearing before regulatory and legislative bodies. With his experience as a government affairs lobbyist and strategist, combined with his public, not-for-profit and private sector contacts, Leonard has emerged as a leading government affairs advisor in Rhode Island.

Prior to founding The Victor Group, Leonard was Senior Counsel at a downtown Providence law firm. In his capacity as the firm's Director of Government Affairs and Legislation, Leonard managed all aspects of the law firm's roster of corporate clients. Leonard served as the chief lobbyist and advisor for the private and public sector clients of the firm. He advocated before local and state governmental agencies, helping clients discover strategic solutions that merge legal analysis and keen knowledge of the state's legislative process.

Leonard has held senior-level management positions with the Department of the Rhode Island Attorney General and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Leonard served as the Chief of Staff and Director of Policy & Legislation for the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General. In that capacity, he served as the Attorney General's senior policy advisor and liaison to all state agencies and the Rhode Island General Assembly.

Before his time at the Department of the Attorney General, Leonard served as the Legal Counsel for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. In that capacity, Leonard represented the Lieutenant Governor in all legal matters and was a key lobbyist. During his tenure with the Lieutenant Governor's office, he was appointed the Senate Parliamentarian.

Leonard earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law and his undergraduate degree in Legal Studies from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Leonard is admitted to practice law in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Leonard is active in many community organizations and regularly volunteers his time and talent on several non-profit boards.

ELISE BAILEY

(New York, )
  • 555 13TH STREET NW, SUITE 300W, WASHINGTON, DC, 20004, 

BRIAN MCDANIEL

(Minnesota, )
  • bmcdaniel@momentum-advocacy.com

  • Edina, MN, 55435, 9522393612, 

ADAM NECRASON

(Vermont, )

JESSICA OSKI

(Vermont, )

KARIN ROSS

(New York, )
  • 555 13TH STREET NW, SUITE 300W, WASHINGTON, DC, 20004, 

KATHRYN WRIGHT

(New York, )
  • 555 13TH STREET NW, SUITE 300W, WASHINGTON, DC, 20004,