Higher Education
Successfully assisted entities before regulatory agencies to achieve compliance.

Public Health
Worked with regulatory agency and broader coalitions to secure a positive recommendation from a Texas State agency which subsequently led to final passage of key legislation.

Local Government
Worked with the 3rd largest county in the country to secure vital legislation.

Regulatory Projects
Successfully assisted a national association and private companies in matters dealing with state franchise issues.

Telecommunications
Successfully assisted a publically traded company to secure passage of legislation affecting the Texas Universal Service Fund.

Energy
Successfully assisted client in passage of electric utility matters.

Ms. Leo has over 25 years of combined experience in federal, state and local government. Prior to joining the firm in 1996, Ms. Leo served as the Intergovernmental Relations Manager for the City of San Antonio. In that capacity, she had chief responsibility for managing federal, state and local matters on behalf of the City of San Antonio. Ms. Leo managed legislative and political activities at these various levels of government including Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC); state legislative matters impacting the City of San Antonio as well as interlocal agreements between the city and county.

She served as Chief of Staff for the first Hispanic woman elected to the Legislature, State Representative Irma Rangel, in which she managed all legislative policy, including appropriations, redistricting, healthcare, education and transportation. In this capacity, Ms. Leo also served as the Director of the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus and managed policy issues in behalf of the members of the Caucus. Prior to joining the House side of the Capitol, Ms. Leo worked in the policy division of Lieutenant Governor William P. Hobby, Jr. Ms. Leo's legislative career began as a Senate Messenger.

Ms. Leo serves on the Firm's Global Diversity Committee which promotes a diverse workforce and an inclusive firm culture. She is a Board member of the Senate Hispanic Research Council (SHRC), a non-profit research group that supports internships for college students in the offices of members of the Texas Senate. Ms Leo is a 9th generation Texan, and a member of the William B. Travis Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

15-20 years

20+ years

Jim Grace advises and advocates for a wide variety of clients on federal, state, and local public policy matters. His deep knowledge of and experience with governments and political campaigns at virtually all levels allow him to assist with complex government relations matters. Jim enhances and protects his clients' business opportunities by monitoring political developments and formulating and implementing strategies to help clients achieve their government relations objectives.

In addition to operating Grace & McEwan, in 2019, Jim and Jennifer McEwan were co-founders of Datum Tech, Inc., a mobile data advertising company. Datum ingested the location data from mobile devices at scale from around the United States and organized that data at the household level using parcel data. Once sorted, the location data could be matched to voter files and other address lists and utilized for highly targeted multiplatform advertising. Jim and Jennifer grew Datum to sixteen employees and yearly revenues of $9 million. They successfully exited in 2024 when Datum was acquired by a publicly traded gaming company.

Prior to forming Grace & McEwan Consulting, Jim chaired the Texas government relations practice at Baker Botts L.L.P. and served as director of Texas state relations and senior counsel at CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Before serving in an in-house counsel capacity, he was a member of a Houston-based international law firm where his practice concentrated on merger and acquisition transactions, securities offerings and general corporate matters for companies involved in oil and gas exploration and production; oil field and energy services; natural gas liquid processing; propane and heating oil and chemical production and distribution.

Jim holds a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center and a B.A. in History from the University of Notre Dame. In 2020, Jim received the University of Houston Law Alumni Association's Pro Bono/Community Service and Leadership Award for his pro bono efforts to secure $45 million in funding for a new building for the Law Center.

From 2016-2019, Jim was the Chair of the Board of Directors for Undies for Everyone, a charity that provides new underwear to underprivileged children, and he continues to serve on that organization's Board. He also currently is on the Board of Directors of the Houston Area Women's Center.

In 2007, the day before he turned 40, Jim took a commission in the United States Navy Reserve, and in 2011-12, he deployed to Afghanistan for nine months, where he served as an intelligence officer with a unit that conducted counterinsurgency operations.

20+ years

With decades worth of hands-on experience in Texas government and politics, Sabrina Brown offers valuable strategic counsel, as well as access to a vast network of key associates and decision-makers to a broad spectrum of clients.

Brown's extensive expertise in the state's legislative, regulatory, public affairs and appropriations arenas - combined with her strong bipartisan relationships - provides businesses and organizations with vital political and governmental guidance. Utilizing her many contacts within the Texas House and Senate, Executive Office and state agencies, Sabrina has effectively achieved the public policy goals of a wide variety of clients, from aeronautics giants to groundwater districts to Fortune 100 companies.

Prior to opening her own consulting firm, Sabrina was a highly successful lobbyist for an Austin-based law firm, and previously spent a half-dozen years at the Capitol working for the Texas House of Representatives. Her first-hand experience has given her a detailed familiarity with the legislative process and an in-depth understanding of state lawmakers' perspectives. With these insights, Sabrina creates effective messages and uses her firm's resources to efficiently communicate a client's position to busy legislators.

Brown earned her Masters in Public Affairs at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas, and her bachelor's degree at Texas A&M University.

Brown currently serves on the boards of Dell Children's Medical Center Foundation, West Austin Youth Association, Beyond Batten Disease Foundation, Friends of the Governor's Mansion, Texas Conference for Women, and the Seton Development Board.

Jay Williamson advocates on behalf of clients at the state and local levels. He is experienced in developing effective legislative strategies, navigating complex policy needs, analyzing policy, and supporting appropriations initiatives.

Jay has represented clients across a diverse range of issues, including telecommunications, county government, voting rights, business liability, tort reform, appropriations, public safety, and workforce development. He has helped clients navigate Texas state government and Austin City Hall while serving as a policy analyst for a Central Texas-based public safety 501(c)(3) organization.

Before joining Grace & McEwan Consulting, Jay spent five years as an associate at a boutique government relations firm in Austin and served as a legislative aide for Rep. Travis Clardy.

Jay is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a McCombs Business Honors Degree and a minor in business and public policy.

0-5 years

Logan Spence is a Partner at the Austin office of Hance Scarborough, LLP where he represents trade associations, corporations and interest groups before the state legislature and agencies. Logan began his career in state government in 1999 as an intern for State Senator Robert Duncan. In 2001, he worked as the legislative assistant to State Rep. Warren Chisum. While attending law school in Houston, Logan worked for Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, District Judge Harvey Brown and the government affairs office of El Paso Energy.

Upon graduating from law school, he spent five years as a Policy Director in Gov. Rick Perry's Office of Budget, Planning and Policy covering a wide variety of issues and agencies. Logan moved to the Texas State Senate in 2007 where he served as Sen. Dan Patrick's Chief of Staff.

In 2013, Logan served as the manager for Dan Patrick's campaign for lieutenant governor. This ultimately successful effort, against three established statewide incumbents, gave Logan first-hand experience in political communications, grassroots management and campaign strategy. After leading the transition team, Logan was named Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant Governor in 2015.

Logan's broad experience in the Texas House, Texas Senate as well as the Office's of Governor and Lt. Governor, give him a unique ability to advocate for his clients in Texas government. Logan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Texas Tech University and a Juris Doctorate degree from South Texas College of Law. He has been married to his wife Cynthia for over 20 years and they have four children.

11-15 years

20+ years

Named Top Lobbyist by Austin Business Journal Girl Scouts' "Woman of Distinction" AwardAustin Business Journal's "Profiles in Power" "Austin Under 40" AwardGlossy 8 list by Austin American-Statesman Austin Fashion Week's "Style Setter" Award

Lobbyist, political fundraiser and national political commentator Andrea McWilliams is a skilled strategist, combining grace with grit and patience with persuasion. Known for her meticulous attention to detail, McWilliams brings her unique expertise to every issue she engages drawing on her time in both the private and public sector. The national media, including FOX News, the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, USA Today, CNN, BBC, and NPR have all reported on McWilliams' role as a leading fundraiser and political strategist. Named Texas Businesswoman of the Year by the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Texas, she was recognized as "consigliere to the powerful and political." McWilliams was the only lobbyist profiled together with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House in Texas Monthly's "POWER" feature highlighting the most powerful people at the Texas Capitol.

McWilliams is also a proud recipient of both the Austin Business Journal's "Profiles in Power" and the Girl Scouts' "Woman of Distinction" Award. She has received the "Austin Under 40" Award, and the Austin American-Statesman honored her as a member of its Glossy 8 list. Last year, McWilliams received Austin Fashion Week's "Style Setter" Award, recognizing her work and dedication on behalf of local nonprofit organizations.

A Chief of Staff at the Texas Capitol at just 21, McWilliams went on to hone her private sector grassroots skills at the iconic public relations company Public Strategies, Inc. Today, she is the President of McWilliams Governmental Affairs (MGA), a full-service firm of governmental affairs consultants, respected and trusted at the local, state and national level.

Family and Community:

Raised just steps from the Texas Capitol on Congress Avenue, McWilliams now resides in Old Enfield, raising three children in a historic home.

She is a well-known philanthropist, community volunteer and proud native of Austin, named on many occasions to the "All-Stars" of Austin American Statesman Fortunate 500 list. McWilliams is honored to serve on the Board of St. David's Medical Center, one of the largest health systems in Texas and the third-largest private employer in the Austin area. Last year, McWilliams was also appointed to the Board of the Save Historic Muny District whose charge is to preserve 141-acres of green space in Central Austin that includes Lions Municipal Golf Course ("Muny"), widely recognized as the first public golf course in the South to become integrated and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, she enjoys her time on the Pease Park Capital Campaign Committee whose efforts will transform this important landmark for future generations in her hometown.

McWilliams currently serves on the PAC Board of RYAN, an award-winning global tax services firm based in Dallas. And, she has also served as a board member for many other non-profit organizations, including Texas Lyceum, Mexi-Arte Museum, Arthouse, Rise Across Texas Challenge, HeartGift, Austin Children in Crisis, Pioneer Farms and the Waterloo President's Council. She is an inaugural member of the Long Center's Notable Women and a long-time member of the St. David's Hospital Toast of the Town Committee. True to her roots, McWilliams is a proud past President of Inherit Austin, an organization founded to preserve Austin's architectural and cultural past by not only protecting the city's important landmarks and historical fabric, but safeguarding its unique character as well.

McWilliams has represented the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and KillCancer, two nonprofit groups committed to cancer prevention. She was also honorary chair for the Mamma Jamma Ride, which since its inaugural ride, has raised millions of dollars for non-profits serving thousands of Central Texans coping with breast cancer. In recognition, the Seton Breast Cancer Center in Austin named their screening room after McWilliams. In 2018, McWilliams additionally served as the honorary chair of the Celebration of Life, the most significant fundraising event for breast cancer in Austin, Texas.

In partnership with the Austin Business Journal, McWilliams enjoys volunteering as a business mentor to other young women in Central Texas. Aside from her continued board service with Preservation Austin, Ballet Austin and the Pease Park Conservancy, she also served as a member of the Girl Scouts Centennial Celebration Committee and chaired Austin's largest charity event, the Ballet Fete, benefiting Ballet Austin. McWilliams additionally co-chaired the Marathon Kids gala and was a chair of the University of Texas Blanton Museum of Art Gala. In support of the Center for Child Protection, McWilliams was a celebrity dancer for Austin's inaugural "Dancing With The Stars" fundraising event. She is a proud past member of the Texas Emerald Ball Committee, whose endeavors support the American Ireland Fund.

During the 86th Legislative Session, McWilliams also served on the Governor For A Day Committee.

Mr. Erskine was listed in the 2012-2017 editions of the Best Lawyers in America in the area of government relations.

He was also the architect of the Oil Field Clean-up Fund, which created an industry-supported fund that is dedicated to the plugging of the State's 48,000 abandoned oil and gas wells and the sites upon which they are located. It has become the model legislation for the states and has been adopted in many jurisdictions since its passage in Texas.

Mr. Erskine joined the firm in 1994 after seventeen years of service with Amoco Corporation as senior government affairs representative, where he was ultimately responsible for all legislative and political activities for the parent corporation and subsidiaries, including those involving exploration and production, refining and marketing, chemicals, pipeline, research and development, marine transport and waste disposal in Texas and New Mexico. From 1976-1978, he was an attorney in the state government affairs section of Dupont's legal department. Mr. Erskine was also associated with Alan M. Voorhees and Associates, where he was responsible for legal and political issues involved in transportation and environmental planning studies.

Mr. Erskine's practice with K&L Gates consists primarily of legislative representation and administrative law. He was instrumental in the formulation and passage of Proposition 2, which exempted pollution control equipment from property taxation. In addition to working with building the coalition that insured its passage by the legislature, he was deeply involved in the statewide campaign for voter approval.

He was also the architect of the Oil Field Clean-up Fund, which created an industry-supported fund that is dedicated to the plugging of the State's 48,000 abandoned oil and gas wells and the sites upon which they are located. It has become the model legislation for the states and has been adopted in many jurisdictions since its passage in Texas.