New York – November 1, 2017 – Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, LLC is pleased to announce that a five-person team, including three of New York City’s top government relations professionals — Katie Schwab, Rose Christ, and Reggie Thomas — have joined Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ New York City office. The team joins the firm from the New York office of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and will dramatically expand Cozen O’Connor’s existing New York government relations practice, which offers strategic guidance and government relations advocacy before a broad range of New York City agencies, the Office of the Mayor and the City Council.
“We are thrilled to welcome Katie, Rose, Reggie and their team to Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies. They are one of the most respected lobbying groups in New York, serving a broad array of clients, including leading companies, trade groups, and charitable organizations,” says Michael J. Heller, president and CEO of Cozen O’Connor. “Their expertise in budget, land use, and legislative processes is valued by clients and government officials alike and will add breadth and depth to our existing practice.”
Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in Pennsylvania and New York. With offices in Washington, D.C., Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management.
“There’s no substitute for hands-on experience and that’s what Katie, Rose, Reggie and their team bring to our group,” says Ken Fisher, a former New York City Council member from 1991-2001 (D-Brooklyn) who leads Cozen O’Connor’s New York land use and government law practice. “They share a common passion to make the city they love a better place, which brings a sense of energy and determination to the clients they represent. Each has a reputation for credibility among elected officials, appointees, and staff — all of which is essential to effective advocacy.”
“Joining Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies provides each with the opportunity to draw upon and support the firm’s government relations professionals not just in New York City but also across our federal and mid-Atlantic footprint, as well as Cozen O’Connor’s 50 State Attorneys General Practice,” adds Stuart A. Shorenstein, chair of New York Public Strategies.
Schwab, who joins the group as practice director, brings to Cozen O’Connor more than 25 years of experience working with government bodies in both New York City and Long Island. She started her career in New York City government and worked in three mayoral administrations, then ultimately transitioned to the private sector and became managing director and co-chair of Manatt’s New York City government, policy and government contracts practice. In that role, she provided analysis and strategic advice to nonprofit organizations, trade associations, and corporations engaged in the city’s regulatory, legislative and procurement systems. She also helped clients develop and implement broad-based public and community outreach strategies.
Christ, who will serve as a government relations principal with Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, was recently selected by City and State magazine’s annual “40 Under 40 Rising Stars” list and is currently president of the Stonewall Democratic Club, the oldest and most prominent citywide LGBT Democratic organization in New York. With an unmatched understanding of the city’s budget process and the arts and culture landscape, she has helped a wide range of nonprofit clients navigate complex application processes to secure millions of dollars for capital projects and new initiatives. As a senior adviser in Manatt’s government and regulatory practice, she closely monitored ongoing New York City and New York State legislative issues and prepared detailed analyses outlining New York City policies and proposed legislation and its potential impact on a broad range of industries.
Thomas also joins as a government relations principal and brings a deep understanding of New York City government, including expertise in land use and legislative matters. Prior to joining Manatt’s New York-based government and regulatory practice as an adviser, Thomas served in two mayoral administrations, most recently as first deputy director in the Mayor’s Office of City Legislative Affairs under Mayor Bill de Blasio. In that role, he successfully led negotiations on a wide array of policies, including environmental sustainability, sanitation, municipal finance, and the city’s housing and building codes. He also advised staff on legislative negotiations and bill analysis and managed the day-to-day operations of the division. Prior to that, he was deputy director and senior policy adviser for City Legislative Affairs under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. In that role, he served as lead negotiator for land use matters requiring city council approval — including often contentious matters involving zoning, lease renewals, dispositions, and landmark applications.
Also joining Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies from Manatt are Nantasha Williams, government relations adviser and Allison Sadoian Arethas, legislative analyst.
Equally comfortable on Wall Street and on Main Street, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies offers a singular blend of business savvy, political acumen, and policy mastery. Its clients represent a broad spectrum of businesses and nonprofits, including health care organizations, financial services firms, energy companies, transportation providers, and beyond. If and when necessary, it can also draw upon hundreds of seasoned attorneys from the Cozen O’Connor law firm who have handled complex legal issues in the public and private sectors across a multitude of industry sectors.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970 and ranked among the top 100 law firms in America, Cozen O’Connor has more than 825 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor services its clients’ needs through 26 offices across two continents.
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