Ryan Ray
Corcoran & Johnston collected an estimated $1.3 million during the second quarter of 2015, according to recently submitted compensation reports.
The firm’s largest invoices came from Sharon Robinson, who is a guardian and personal representative seeking relief from the state of Florida. Robinson easily broke six figures: She paid $84,000 for legislative lobbying efforts and between $30,000 and $39,999 for executive branch lobbying.
The iconic Fontainebleu Florida Hotel in Miami also paid a pretty penny for representation in Tallahassee last quarter. Its total fees ran to $52,000 for legislative lobbying and between $20,000 and $29,999 for executive branch work for an estimated total of $77,000, the second-highest total of any Corcoran client.
Led by co-founder GOP electoral guru Michael Corcoran, brother of rising speaker and House budget chief Rep. Richard Corcoran, the tight-knit firm pulled in $1,011,000 in consulting fees for legislative work and $285,000 for executive branch lobbying altogether.
The firm’s Tampa Bay area roots showed in its client list last reporting period, which ran April 1 to June 30.
Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission, University of South Florida Foundation, Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority, TECO Energy, IMG Academy, and pro football’s Tampa Bay Buccanneers were among major local institutions that employed C&J’s services during Q2.
Other major clients included Florida Optometry Eye Health Fund, whose compensation totaled an estimated $50,000, as did that of Spirit Airlines.
Interests as variegated as Florida Crystals, Beer Industry of Florida, Citizens Against Cigarette Manufacturers and Walmart also sought the firm’s representation in Florida’s capitol last quarter.
Along with the aforementioned Corcoran himself, name partner Jeff Johnston, Matthew Blair, Michael Cantens and Amanda Stewart handled the firm’s sprawling client list.
State law requires lobbying firms to submit compensation reports quarterly. They are permitted in most cases to simply report an approximate range of client compensation — e.g. $1 to $9,999 — in lieu of the specific dollar amount.
