Personnel note: Ballard Partners adds legislative expert Jessica Baker

Florida lobbying house Ballard Partners announced today it is adding legislative expert Jessica Baker to its team based out of Jacksonville and Tallahassee.

Baker, a graduate of Florida State University College of Law, will be working out of the Jacksonville office and in Tallahassee, during the 2015 Legislative Session, which begins tomorrow.

Ballard President Brian Ballard cited Baker’s legal insight and knowledge of the legislative process, adding that she will become a “vital resource” for clients.

“She’ll be a great addition working in the Jacksonville office with professionals like Susie Wiles and Tony Boselli,” Ballard said in a statement Monday. “We look forward to watching her thrive.”

Prior to joining Ballard, Baker served a lobbyist at Sachs Sax Caplan, P.L. in Tallahassee, specializing in education and transportation issues.

“Ballard Partners is the most prestigious government affairs firm in Florida and I am honored to join the strong and successful team that Brian has assembled,” Baker responded. “I look forward to working in Tallahassee and helping to grow the Jacksonville practice, too.”

Baker had also served as a legal intern in the Office of the Florida Senate Deputy Majority Leader, providing research and analysis on proposed legislation for potential conflicts between Senate and House bills. She was also a legal clerk and research intern for Mike Haridopolos in his campaign for U.S. Senate, working on policy issues such as health care, energy, and taxes.