Top New York Lobbying Firms: Capalino & Company, Suri Kasirer & More
New York is a playing field for many different industries. It’s also home to arguably the largest PR community worldwide. Lobbyists often fall in the PR spectrum. The job of a lobbyist is to influence a public official on an issue in favor of their client. Remember lobbyists often work to maintain citizen’s rights and wellbeing.
As an example, there is a strong group of lobbyists who worked tirelessly to get regulations passed for no smoking in public laws. Lobbyists also pushed hard for stiffer penalties enforced on drunk driving violations.
Take a quick look at these names for New York lobbying companies and learn a few insights about what the City has to offer:
Suri Kasirer
Suri Kasirer is a graduate of Yeshiva University and now sits as Vice Chair for New York Building Foundation. Suri’s lobbying firm, Kasirer Consulting, provides oversight for Fortune 500 corporations and non-profit groups. The firm specializes in public affairs, strategic consulting, and government relations. Suri Kasirer has also been listed among the 50 Most Powerful Women in New York as curated by Crain’s New York Business.
Kasirer Consulting often acts as liaison between New York City departments and non-profits or real estate developing companies. Some of their past and current clients include United Nations Development Corporation, Forest City Ratner, Ross & Cohen, CBS, Time Warner, Delta Airlines, ASPCA, Jewish Community Project, Cornell University, JC Penney, Madison Square Garden, General Electric Financial, and New York Legal Assistance Group.
Capalino+Company
New York City and State governments both benefit from the consultancy this government relations firm provides. Capalino brings creativity in their approach, as well as a reputation for being “a premier problem-solver.”
Lobbying challenges include securing delivery of government services, resolution of complex policy, and regulatory land use issues provide challenges for Capalino+Company to conquer. Its ties with the City Council and New York City’s Administration are a big part of allowing them to get things done.
CEO, James Capalino, is well-known for his urban problem-solving strategies. His past experiences include management in real estate and development, senior management roles in government organizations, and public relations. In the late 70’s he co-managed the mayoral campaign of then-Congressman Koch. At the age of 28 he was named Commissioner of General Services, and is still the youngest commissioner ever named for New York City.
Hank Sheinkopf
Hank Sheinkopf is nationally known in the political realm and the press. His expertise spans various sectors including public relations and political policy. The list of worldwide campaigns overseen by this political powerhouse is over 700. Sheinkopf is great at communications strategy and a brilliant strategist. He is also an ordained Orthodox rabbi.
But, Rabbi Sheinkopf plans to continue his career in political consulting, saying, “I’ve been at this a long time. I like to think I set the standard for some people. I’m a true consultant, I don’t just call myself one. I’ve worked all over the world.”
He says he once gave up a campaign worth several million dollars in the Midwest because he refused to be available on Saturdays. Sheinkopf says he is a “warrior” in both professions – you have to fight for what you believe is right.
Bolton-St. Johns
This firm employs lobbyists from the state of New York. Lobbyists here get intertwined with the Department of Taxation and Finance and the State’s Department of Health; including facets of government and labor. A main area of focus for Bolton-St. Johns is the healthcare industry by representing numerous unions, institutions, and associations.
They develop solution-oriented and research-based plans of attack. They perform political training, lobbying services, business development, and grassroots campaign strategies woven into regulatory representation. Their understanding, skills, and know-how help them deliver real results. Currently, they represent over 100 clients in sectors including corporations, tech companies, labor unions, and non-profit organizations.
Patricia Lynch Associates Inc.
Patricia Lynch Associates was founded in 2001. You can find Patricia’s work and partnership with a Malaysian gambling group named Genting. That was in 2011. In that same year, Patricia Lynch Associates had a total compensation level of $8,128,671. They have offices in New York City, Albany, Buffalo, and Panama City. They were acquired recently by MWW.
PLA is one of only a few women-owned lobbying firms, and clients include multinational corporations, large gaming interests, health care groups, major real estate companies, educational interests, as well as religious institutions. Patricia Lynch has been named three consecutive times on Crain’s New York’s list of the “50 Most Powerful Women in NY.” Other honors include Campaign & Elections Magazine’s “100 Most Influential New Yorkers,” City and State’s “The Albany Power 100,” and the NY Observer’s “Political Power 80.”
Top 10 Lobbyists by Compensation*
Lobbyist Total Compensation
Kasirer Consulting LLC $6,618,302.00
James F. Capalino + Associates, Inc. $4,670,526.50
Bolton-St Johns, LLC $2,834,637.60
Constantinople & Vallone Consulting LLC $2,661,992.00
Greenberg Traurig, LLP $2,578,733.55
Mannett, Phelps & Phillips, LLC $2,238,197.00
Pitta Bishop Del Giorno & Giblin LLC $2,101,864.89
Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP $2,035,683.25
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP $1,742,264.60
Parkside Group LLC (The) $1,658,500.00
