Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Staff ReportsMay 16, 2017

The numbers are out. Registered legislative lobbying firms reported median earnings of more than $35.7 million in the first quarter of 2017. The Top 5 earners during the three-month period were Ballard Partners, Southern Strategy Group, Ronald L. Book PA, Capital City Consulting, and Greenberg Traurig. If those rankings look familiar, there’s a reason for […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 22, 2017

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Registered governmental affairs firms, representing virtually every industry in Florida, reported earning more than $31.75 million from October 1 to December 31 of 2016 to lobby the Florida Legislature. FloridaPolitics.com previously reported which firms made what, with Ballard Partners leading all firms in Q4 compensation. The 2016 Q4 numbers were down slightly from the 2015 Q4 numbers ($31.75 mil to […]

Scott PowersJanuary 2, 2017

Orlando lawyer and Republican fundraiser Ben Newman also is known — sadly not to all — as a merry prankster and over the weekend had many believing he was leaving the powerful GrayRobinson law firm to run a burrito truck. Me among them. Sorry about that. Newman has left GrayRobinson, where he’s been a shareholder […]

Peter SchorschDecember 23, 2016

The holidays are here. That means carols and cookies, brightly lit Christmas trees and twinkling menorahs, and nip of eggnog (or whatever seasonal cocktail tickles your fancy) to keep you warm at night. But the festive holiday season is also a chance for people to spend time with their family and friends, make resolutions for […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 19, 2016

The latest issue of INFLUENCE Magazine is out. From the rise of legal-lobbying firms to the next generation of influencers and power brokers, the winter edition looks at all aspects of the governmental affairs industry. In recent years, major legal firms have emerged as major players in the government affairs industry. For the first time […]

Staff ReportsNovember 4, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday appointed litigator Jeffrey T. Kuntz to fill a vacancy on the Fourth District Court of Appeal left by the retirement of Judge W. Matthew Stevenson. Kuntz, 35, is a shareholder in the Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale offices of GrayRobinson, a firm he joined in 2006, following his graduation from […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 6, 2016

George T. Levesque, formerly the top lawyer to the Florida Senate, is joining the GrayRobinson law firm’s Tallahassee office. Levesque will be “of counsel,” meaning he will work on a case-to-case basis and not as an associate or partner. The firm announced the hire Tuesday. “We are excited to add George to our capital city office,” said Mayanne Downs, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 4, 2016

Whether it’s at the ballpark or the beach, setting off fireworks or firing up the grill, Floridians will celebrate the July 4 holiday in style. The National Retail Federation predicts Americans will spend $71.34 per household on average on food for barbecues. The organization — which has been conducting its annual Independence Day survey since 2003 […]

Jim RosicaJune 10, 2016

A judicial discipline panel has recommended a public reprimand and 90-day suspension for a judge who “circulated a deceptive, misleading advertisement.” Its members also suggested paranoia on the part of Circuit Judge Kimberly Shepard, who believed “sinister forces (were) at work” trying to defeat her, they said. Shepard, who sits in Osceola County, ran for office and won […]

Anne LindbergJune 6, 2016

A committee for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority has recommended that RSA Consulting Group become the next state lobbyist for the county’s bus system. But the proposed deal comes with a string attached: Lobbyist Alan Suskey must be part of the contract. For the two — RSA and Suskey — the PSTA will pay up to $7,500 a month […]

Tag: GrayRobinson
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Lobby firms bring in more than $35.7M in first quarter to lobby Legislature

Known unknowns: Trying to divine the real numbers in the lobbying compensation reports

Ben Newman New Year’s prank: leaving GrayRobinson for possible political run, not love of burritos

This holiday season brought to you by these Florida lobbyists and political associations

Debuting today: The Winter 2016 edition of INFLUENCE Magazine

Rick Scott names GrayRobinson shareholder to state appeals court

Personnel note: George Levesque joins GrayRobinson

Independence Day brought to you by these lobbyists and political associations

Judge could be suspended for ‘deceptive’ campaign flier

RSA Consulting, Alan Suskey likely to be next PSTA lobbyists