Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney is the largest of its kind within any law firm in Pennsylvania. Its Government Relations Group provides a wide variety of clients with an outstanding program of advocacy services before the General Assembly and Executive Branch agencies of state government. The principals have held positions at the highest levels of state government, including former members of the House of Representatives, and a former member of the Governor's staff. In addition, they include former Chief Counsels of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and the Pennsylvania Insurance Department as well as former Chief Counsel to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and of the Pennsylvania State Police.

Firm Specialties:
Buchanan's services include providing background information to clients and key policy makers about the potential impact of proposed legislation or regulations; effectively communicating clients' concerns to government; drafting legislation; testifying before legislative committees and regulatory hearings; drafting and distributing position papers for clients; and monitoring the General Assembly and providing clients with updates.

STEPHEN M. DEFRANK is a senior advisor in Buchanan's state government relations group. He joins Buchanan after spending 23 years of his career in Pennsylvania state government. His most recent position was chief of staff for Senator Lisa M. Boscola.

Steve brings process and policy expertise to our Pennsylvania Government Relations Practice, having worked in state government for more than 20 years. He has served in several roles in his over two decades with the Senate of Pennsylvania, including chief of staff, committee executive director, and policy director. Steve called on his strengths differently in each of those roles: as a chief of staff for Sen. Lisa Boscola, he used his organizational skills and ability to multitask to advance the senator's legislative agenda in Harrisburg and manage constituent outreach and communications in her district office. As Executive Director for the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, Steve grasped new concepts quickly and effectively, and developed an area of expertise in issues affecting the energy and utility sectors. As Policy Director, he worked as a jack of all trades to advance a caucus-wide agenda that included initiatives related to legalized gaming, community and economic development, workforce development, education initiatives and government reform.

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We win. Period. Our team has a track record of winning in the halls of the capitol.Today's world is oversaturated with information and content. Whether you are trying to pass a piece of legislation, trying to mobilize the public to your cause, or trying to convey your brand's unique position in the marketplace, you need to define what makes you different from the competition.At Maverick Strategies, we use our decades of experience to match the right strategy and tactics to help you convey your message. We win. Differently.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Paul Costa brings extensive experience in local and state government to Maverick Strategies. He is the former State Representative for the 34th district situated in Allegheny County where he served from 1999 to 2018.

While serving as a legislator he sat on several committees including Appropriations, Liquor Control, Gaming, Policy, Rules, Tourism and Transportation. Costa also served on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, Point Park University Board of Trustees, University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics Board of Fellows and Eastern Area Adult Services.

In 2011 Costa was elected by his peers as Allegheny County Delegation Chair where he served until his appointment as Chairman of the Liquor Control Committee in 2013. While Chairman of the Liquor Control Committee he spearheaded several initiatives including but not limited to beer and wine modernization and consumer convenience. In addition, Costa sponsored several personal pieces of legislation such as the Film Tax Credit, 50/50 legislation which generates millions for non-profits, bills which advocate for the safety of animals, a bill which allowed for automatic granting of a CDL license upon returning home for qualified military personnel and sustainable transportation measures.

Prior to serving the 34th Legislative District, Costa spent more than 20 years working in the Allegheny County Prothonotary's office, ending as Deputy Prothonotary. Costa also served on the Wilkins Township board of commissioners for three years, serving one year as board president. Paul Costa graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Point Park University. Paul resides in Pittsburgh with his wife Kathleen. They have three children Michael, Maria, and Dante.