Richmond, Va. – October 2, 2018 – Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies today announced that Thomas A. Lisk, an attorney and government relations professional who has represented business interests and trade associations before the Virginia General Assembly since 1980, has joined the firm as a managing director of its fast-growing Public Strategies Group in Richmond, Va. Lisk comes to the firm from Eckert Seamans, where he represented a wide range of businesses in regulatory matters before the Commonwealth of Virginia agencies, boards, and commissions, including the State Corporation Commission.
Lisk brings to the firm’s Virginia Public Strategies team substantial experience in matters relating to alcohol beverage regulation; antitrust, election law, franchise, gaming and lottery, health care, insurance, and Internet regulation; professional and occupational regulation; and issues related to privatization of governmental services.
In addition, Lisk is currently the legal and legislative counsel to the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association, representing a wide range of restaurants, hotels, amusement and establishments, as well as breweries, wineries, distilleries, and wine and beer wholesalers and importers on legal, regulatory, and legislative matters.
“As a seasoned attorney and one of the state’s best-known advocates in the hospitality and alcohol beverage industry, Tom has always been well-regarded by the team here at Cozen O’Connor,” says Jerry Kilgore, former Virginia Attorney General and a member of Cozen O’Connor’s State Attorneys General Practice who led the opening of the firm’s Richmond office earlier this year.
“Whether he’s lobbying for a legislative amendment, negotiating a government contract, analyzing a regulatory proposal, or managing a political crisis, Tom brings to each and every client a proven record of success. We are thrilled to welcome him to both the law firm and the Public Strategies group,” says Howard Schweitzer, Managing Partner of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies.
The hiring also reunites Lisk with Julia Ciarlo Hammond, who worked with him at Eckert Seamans. Hammond, along with Ryan F. O’Toole, left Eckert Seamans to join the Richmond Public Strategies Group in July.
“Tom brings an impressive range of legislative and industry contacts, as well as a track record as an attorney and lobbyist that’s essentially unmatched,” says Kilgore. “With a proven ability to closely monitor Virginia’s political, legislative, and regulatory activity to identify opportunities tailored to the needs and strengths of his clients, Tom will be a great addition to our Virginia team and a clear asset to the firm’s client base.”
Lisk also advises hotel owners and management companies, lenders, developers, and real estate investment funds in matters relating to management agreements, licensing and permitting issues, and operational issues. Appointed by the Virginia Code Commission to chair the Virginia Administrative Law Advisory Committee, Lisk also formerly served on the Editorial Board of the Virginia ABC Board’s Licensee Newsletter, as well as the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board’s Industry Advisory Panel.
A frequent speaker at restaurant/lodging industry events and quoted often in the press, Lisk is a Fellow at the Virginia Law Foundation and was recently selected for inclusion as Best Lawyers 2019 Government Relations Practice “Lawyer of the Year” in Richmond.
He earned his B.A. from Washington & Lee University and his J.D. at Washington & Lee University School of Law.
About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
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 cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, 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. Its client base spans across several industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, 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 32 offices across two continents.
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