Duffy & Sweeney Expands Into Government Relations, Adds Connors and Ryan
GoLocalProv Business Team
Duffy & Sweeney Expands Into Government Relations, Adds Connors and Ryan
The new entity will be headed by former Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader Daniel Connors.
He will be joined by Michael Ryan, Jr.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBoth Connors and Ryan left the lobbying firm Advocacy Solutions.
“As the overlap between business and government continues to grow, adding Dan and Mike positions us to provide even greater value to our clients. They will take our representation of clients beyond the boardroom and the courtroom to the legislative halls of government,” said Mike Sweeney, founding partner.
Connors and Ryan combine their skills as business attorneys and government relations strategists to deliver a suite of services including lobbying, regulatory affairs, compliance, and analysis.
In addition to launching DS Government Strategies, Connors joins Duffy & Sweeney as senior counsel and Ryan joins Duffy & Sweeney as an associate.
About Connors
Connors' bio on Duffy and Sweeney’s website is as follows:
Connors is a business lawyer and litigator with over 15 years of experience handling complex, high-stakes matters involving a wide range of legal issues. He will continue his government relations work as head of the newly formed DS Government Strategies, designed to manage threats, create opportunities, and protect clients’ interest in the halls of government. He is a registered lobbyist.
He frequently appears in courts and in administrative forums in RI and MA. Specifically, Connors has served as outside counsel to business organizations in the renewable energy, healthcare, facility service, and hospitality sectors. He also has represented lawyers charged with contempt of court or matters before the disciplinary counsel.
Prior to joining Duffy & Sweeney, he most recently spent eight years at a government relation and strategic consulting firm as Managing Director of Policy and Research. He is known for researching and developing public affairs strategy and public policy initiatives that protect clients’ interests and, ultimately, impact their bottom lines.
He previously was the Director of Human Resources for the Town of Cumberland, an experience which helps him counsel clients on employment law issues.
Connors was first elected — at age 20 — to the Rhode Island Senate in 1996 and served until January of 2011. In 2008, he was elected by his colleagues to serve as Senate Majority Leader. He is a visiting lecturer in strategic management at Providence College.
About Ryan
Ryan’s bio on the Duffy and Sweeney's website is as follows:
Ryan joined the D&S team in January of 2019 with a focus on business and corporate law. He will continue his government relations work as part of the newly formed DS Government Strategies, designed to manage threats, create opportunities, and protect clients’ interest in the halls of government.
Prior to joining Duffy & Sweeney, Ryan spent ten years at a government affairs firm in Providence. He is a registered lobbyist and admitted to practice law in Rhode Island.
Ryan is known for developing and executing comprehensive government affairs campaigns for a variety of clients. From issues research and strategic planning to campaign execution at the Rhode Island State House, He provides clients with sound and strategic government relations counsel, navigating the legislative process from start to finish. With expertise in health policy, state budget policy, education, and telecommunication, He ensures that his clients’ interests are well-represented.
Ryan earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island in 2008 and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts School of Law in 2018.
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