Top Ten Lobbying Firms Make $4 Million
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
It's a lot of money.*
In 2009, organizations and companies paid the state's top ten lobbying firms more than $4 million to lobby the RI General Assembly. Nearly $8,000,000 was spent on Rhode Island lobbyists, and it got the GoLocalProv team of researchers on the trail of who bagged the biggest paydays.
And that's where it got interesting… and frustrating. First, they found that nearly $4.5 million is shared by the state's top ten firms, spotlighted today. But as our researchers spent more than 100 hours of careful double-checking and cross-referencing public filings at the Secretary of State's offices, they found that, based on the system in place, no one can accurately pinpoint how much any one firm earns.
That's what the asterisk is about. More on that, and why Rhode Island can't produce accurate, and accountable numbers, tomorrow.
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No. 1: $851,501
The Face of Goldberg Law Offices… Robert Goldberg
Talk about a power position… this former Senate Minority Leader and husband of Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Maureen McKenna heads a pack of big-league influence wielders with clients like GTECH, Twin Rivers, and United Health Care Services. Pictured below with folder.
No. 2: $743,238
The Face of Advocacy Solutions… Francis X. McMahon
Working the marble hallways on Smith Street is second nature to this deep-benched firm with clients including St. Joseph Health Service and Delta Dental; Frank McMahon, former Deputy Legal Counsel to Governor Bruce Sundlun, is one of their prime heavy hitters. (McMahon, below)
No. 3: $548,000
The Face of F/S Capitol Consulting, LLC… Carolyn Murray
Keeping it all in the family, Carolyn Murray carries water for this firm with top clients including Covanta Energy Corporation and Rhode Island Beverage Association, along with her brother Tom Hogan. The two draw on powerful genetics from their father, former Superior Court Judge John J. Hogan. (Murray, right)
No. 4: $471,473
The Face of Adler Pollock & Sheehan… Richard Licht
Representing big interests in food service management, insurance, and health care, look to savvy insiders like former Lieutenant Governor Richard Licht to make rain in the Statehouse hallways.
No. 5: $364,800
Pannone Lopes Devereaux & West, LLC… Leonard Lopes
Power partner Lopes brings big background to the lobbying game, as former Chief of Staff and Director of Policy and Legislation for the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General. This means good access for Amgen and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
No. 6: $338,500
Brown Rudnick LLP… William Farrell
Longtime Statehouse lobbyist William Farrell shows the deep attack that draws blue ribbon clients like Aramark and CARE New England.
No. 7: $337,100
Government Strategies, Inc.
Knowing how politics and influence play ball is second nature here, evidenced by lobbyists on staff like former Warwick Mayor Joseph Walsh. Just ask clients like the Rhode Island Greyhound Association and the Rhode Island Health Care Association.
No. 8: $283,167
The Face of Roberts Carroll Feldstein & Peirce… R. Kelly Sheridan
Lawyer/lobbyist R. Kelly Sheridan helps rake in the big billables that put this firm in the top ten, with clients like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.
No. 9: $257,798
The Face of Martiesian & Associates… Terrance Martiesian
This longtime Statehouse lobbyist and small business advocate headlines this firm with clients including the Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association, and the Rhode Island Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association.
No. 10: $207,000
Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP... Marc Crisafulli
Marc Crisafulli, former general counsel to GTECH, swings big at Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, where big-time clients like Twin Rivers, CARE New England, Lifespan put them on the top shelf of lobbying powerhouses.
