An important part of helping clients with legal needs, is the ability to help them in the law and rule-making process of government. From its inception, Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green's attorneys have provided that representation. William L. Phinney was Rockingham Park's eyes and ears at the New Hampshire legislature, Kimon S. Zachos, himself a former Deputy Speaker of the House, represented the wine industry and other clients for years, and Bradford E. Cook (head of the law firm's government relations practice group) and other Sheehan Phinney attorneys have represented a variety of businesses and not-for-profit and religious organizations as their "legislative representative," the legal term for "lobbyist."
When New Hampshire's legislature went from meeting ninety days every two years to annual sessions, legislative representation became a full-time job. Recognizing the need to provide the governmental representation in a more organized fashion, in 2000 the firm formed Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group as a joint venture with well-known Concord lobbyist Bruce Berke. Through this affiliate, the firm was able to provide full-time legislative representation, bill monitoring and representation before the rulemaking agencies in Concord even more effectively than before. Working with attorneys from the firm, the members of Capitol Group appear before legislative committees to convey client concerns and educate legislators about the effect of proposals on clients' businesses and activities.
Contrary to popular myth, lobbyists cannot make the legislators do anything, and their main function is to provide information so members of the House and Senate can make informed decisions. Armed with more research and information than individual members have, especially because of the limited research capacity available to the 400 House members and 24 Senators, lobbyists effectively serve as a research arm for the legislature. Lobbyists cannot afford to provide false or misleading information, since their credibility can be destroyed by doing so.
In 2006, Murphy Public Affairs, a prominent governmental representation firm headed by Elizabeth Murphy, combined with Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group to form what has become New Hampshire's leading governmental affairs firm.
Whatever the need of clients, whether local or national, Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group has the capacity to represent individuals, businesses, business associations and not-for-profit entities both before the New Hampshire legislature, executive branch and regulatory agencies. It also has extensive contacts with our representative in Congress, and regularly helps with federal issues.
Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group members are available to help your business stay informed about what is going on in Concord and can be reached at its offices at 2 Eagle Square, Concord, right across from the State House, or by calling 603-228-2370.
Here is a brief biography of the legislative representatives at Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group:
Bruce A. Berke, Managing Partner - Bruce is the President of Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group. He began his government relations experience in state government in 1980 as a college intern and later served as a legislative assistant to the New Hampshire House Majority Leader. Bruce began his lobbying career as the Legislative Counsel to the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire. He formed Capitol Consultants of New Hampshire, predecessor to Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group, in 1988 and operated it as a sole proprietor through 2000. Bruce has been involved in a wide variety of policy issues during his career including taxes, environmental regulation, electric utility restructuring, and health policy. Bruce has also been involved in political campaigns for the past thirty years and he is a sought after advisor to candidates during each election cycle. Outside of the office, Bruce has been a youth sports coach for many years and he sits on the Board of the New England Ski Museum.
Valerie J. Acres, Partner - Valerie joined the firm in 1997. She holds a BS degree in Human Engineering (ergonomics) from Tufts University and a JD degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Valerie has experience in all three branches of government having served as Legal Counsel to Governor Judd Gregg, as a litigator at law firms in Nashua and Concord, and in government relations at the same law firm in Concord and now at Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group. Valerie's government relations practice has focused on acute, dental, and mental health care; long-term care; insurance; and human resources/employment issues. Her legal practice focused on banking compliance and commercial and environmental matters. Valerie currently serves on the Board of Capital Region Health Care, as Vice Chair of Riverbend Community Mental Health Center, as Chair of the Quality Assurance Committee at Riverbend Community Mental Health Center, as a member of the Human Resources Committee at the Business and Industry Association, and as a member of the Public Policy Committee at NAMI-NH (National Alliance on Mental Illness, New Hampshire Chapter).
Henry G. Veilleux, Partner - Henry joined Murphy Public Affairs, Inc. in 1999, bringing with him his many years of experience lobbying the New Hampshire Legislature on behalf of business interests. He began his government affairs career in 1986 lobbying for a variety of clients with a local firm. In 1995, Mr. Veilleux moved to the Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire, representing the interests of its more than 400 member businesses. His experience includes managing legislative issues for the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association.
Elizabeth D. Murphy - Liz is a highly experienced lobbyist and consultant with a substantial and significant record of success in all aspects of government relations. With more than two decades of results-oriented experience, her current clients include many prominent New Hampshire businesses and trade associations, as well as national and international businesses with interests in New Hampshire. Liz founded Murphy Public Affairs in 1991 and recently merged her practice with Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group. She was recently named one of New Hampshire's three most effective lobbyists in a cover story, which ran in Business New Hampshire magazine. Liz also served as a State Representative in the New Hampshire Legislature where, with no seniority, she garnered a prestigious assignment as a member of the Appropriations Committee.
Elizabeth C. Sargent - Beth joined Murphy Public Affairs in 1997 and came to Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group when the two firms merged in 2006. In addition to representing a number of the firm's clients, she serves as a member of the legislative committee of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, a member of the BIA Annual Dinner Committee, and a member of the 5K Friendly Kitchen Road Race Committee. She is a graduate of Plymouth State College.
Erle B. Pierce - Erle has 33 years of service with Verizon Communications, most of which were spent in the community, public, and government affairs arena. Since 2007 Erle has been President of Peirce Public Affairs, LLC, full service public, community, and government relations consulting firm. Erle has been doing contract work with Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group since 2008. He serves on various non-for-profit boards and is a graduate of the Leadership Greater Concord and Leadership New Hampshire programs.
Kathleen M. Veracco - Kathy's experience includes a 26-year career as Public Affairs Director for NYNEX/Bell Atlantic as well as 15 years as a contract lobbyist in Concord, including Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group. She has been actively involved with various not-for-profit boards and is a long-standing member of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce legislative affairs committee.
This article is intended to serve as a summary of the issues outlined herein. While it may include some general guidance, it is not intended as, nor is it a substitute for, legal advice. Your receipt of Good Company or any of its individual articles does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green or the Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group. The opinions expressed in Good Company are those of the authors of the specific articles.
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