Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

Experience You Can Count On

Drexwood's core competency is lobbying. Our team's in-depth knowledge of local, state, and federal government enables us to provide our clients with a blueprint for success in the public sector and a unique insight into what hazards to avoid. We use our political knowledge and experience to help our clients understand where they are, see where they need to go, and build a strategy for success here in Illinois. We help identify key public officials best suited to champion our clients' causes as we advocate on their behalf before the state legislature and Illinois's executive agencies. Our job is to get big things done at any level of politics, government, and public life.

6-10 years

Paul joined Drexwood Partners in 2019 bringing 10 years of professional experience with him, including a half decade handling multi-state government affairs and running a U.S. government affairs operation for a multi-national company.

Adept at handling complex public policy issues, Paul began his early professional days working as a litigation paralegal for multiple law firms and working as a field organizer on a national campaign. To begin his government affairs career, Paul spent a short time in Washington D.C. working for a child welfare non-profit conducting policy research and organizing advocacy days.

Prior to joining Drexwood as Vice President, Paul served as Director of Government Relations for a publicly-traded company where he led U.S. federal and state government affairs for multiple business segments. While there he executed federal and multi-state government affairs strategies to support organizational goals across six businesses. This included managing federal appropriation and jurisdictional committee advocacy, a fifty state legislative tracking operation, and direct and indirect lobbying in over half a dozen states across the country. In addition to traditional government affairs work, Paul led the first company-wide global political risk assessment due to international expansion and re-designed the internal government affairs approach to also focus on brand development for business segments that found more value in an elevated presence among government officials.

With a broad range of policy experience in agriculture, education (Pre-K through postsecondary), child welfare, healthcare, insurance, and tech fields, Paul is prepared to tackle new and complex issues quickly to deliver results. He is passionate about government affairs — from traditional lobbying and strategy development to advocacy, coalition building, and policy research.

A native of mid-Missouri, Paul holds a M.A. in Political Science from University of Missouri, Kansas City and a B.A. in Pre-Law/Legal Studies from William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri. He currently lives in Chicago, Illinois with his wife and two sons.

MATTHEW O SHEA

(Illinois)

Our goal is to deliver results for our clients. We are a hardworking team who represent our clients' interests at the highest levels on both the legislative and executive sides.

Dedicated to working hard for our clients in a bi-partisian fashion.

Passionate about public service, government relations, grassroots and politics.

Innovative in our ways of approaching clients legislative and lobbying needs.

Matthew O'Shea is the President of Matthew O'Shea Consulting, Inc. In 1994, Matthew started his public service career with State Representative Dan Rutherford and then worked for State Representative James Durkin and Senator Thomas Walsh from 1995 through 2000. While working for Representative Durkin and Walsh, Matt attended John Marshall Law School and completed his Juris Doctor in 2000. After leaving Representative Durkin and Senator Walsh, he served as the Village Administrator for the Village of Forest Park located in the western suburbs of Cook County. While serving as Village Administrator, Matt was also appointed to the Senate to fill out the remaining term of Senator Tom Walsh for the 22nd Legislative District.

As State Senator, Matt was able to learn and experience the legislative process from an elected official standpoint. In 2004, Matt joined House Republican Minority Leader Tom Cross as Deputy Chief and Ethics Officer before coming Chief of Staff. In his role as Chief of Staff, he dealt with all four legislative caucuses including participating in several high level leadership meetings. His role as Chief of Staff allowed him to deal with many important issues facing the legislature such as pensions, capital funding, energy, local government, budget, Medicaid and redistricting.

Matt has knowledge and experience working with many regulatory issues including those before Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. Matt has spent time working on many political elections at all levels of state government.

JOHN NICOLAY

(Illinois)

Nicolay & Dart LLC is a law firm concentrating on governmental and regulatory representation. Its two principals, John Nicolay and Tim Dart, have many years of experience representing premier clients at all levels of Illinois government. Nicolay & Dart LLC is one of the few firms in Illinois providing governmental representation in the General Assembly, the Chicago City Council, and Cook County government. Formerly partners at Winston & Strawn LLP, John and Tim provide a unique balance of experience that allows them to advocate effectively in any situation. The firm offers intensive, personalized strategy and representation that conforms to the highest ethical standards.

Firm Specialties:
Our attorneys are experienced in many areas of governmental and regulatory law, including legislation, agency rulemaking, government procurement, executive clemency, governmental ethics and zoning.

In addition, we have often partnered with the top public affairs firms in Illinois to provide a full range of grass-roots and media strategy services to our clients. Our experience has shown that a comprehensive approach to a legislative or regulatory problem is the best way to obtain a positive result for our clients.

JOHN D. NICOLAY directed state governmental representation at Winston & Strawn LLP for seven years. Previously, he served as general counsel to the Illinois Senate President, where his responsibilities included staffing and operations for the Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee.

Prior to his work with the office of the Senate President, he served as a legislative liaison for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office where he helped secure passage of more than 50 pieces of legislation, including major sentencing and evidentiary reforms. He also served as an Assistant State's Attorney and practiced in the area of commercial and governmental litigation at Shefsky & Froelich, Ltd. In addition, Mr. Nicolay served as a Legislative Aide to former Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, and as a special assistant to Governor James R. Thompson.

Mr. Nicolay has represented Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and entrepreneurs in the General Assembly. He also has negotiated and litigated on behalf of clients before municipal and administrative law tribunals. He is a frequent speaker on legislative process and governmental ethics, and served as outside ethics counsel to the Senate President. Mr. Nicolay is the co-author of Effective Dates of Illinois Legislation, in the Handbook of Illinois Administrative Law (Illinois State Bar Association, 2001).

In January 2008, Mr. Nicolay was named as a "Rising Star" in the Illinois Super Lawyers edition of Chicago Magazine, having been nominated by fellow members of the Illinois bar.

Mr. Nicolay is past President and serves on the Board of Directors of The Advocacy Group, an international governmental affairs organization. He is Vice-Chairman of the Illinois Executive Mansion Association, a not-for-profit corporation which administers the public use of the Governor's Mansion in Springfield and the Hayes Mansion in DuQuoin. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of MacMurray College, served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Board of Directors of Intermountain Corporate Affairs Company. He is honored to serve on the Advisory Board of Misericordia/Heart of Mercy Home in Chicago, a residential facility for developmentally disabled children and adults, which is a pro bono client of the firm.

Mr. Nicolay received a B.S. in history and political science from MacMurray College and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law. He is admitted to practice in the Illinois Supreme Court and the United States District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois.

ERIC MARTINS

(DEMANYUSILGAMDTXNVNMCA)

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

Eric is a highly accomplished senior executive, consultant, attorney, lobbyist and board member with 20 years of success in public policy, politics, law, government, healthcare, financial services, transportation and the nonprofit sector. He previously held a position as an associate at Drinker Biddle & Reath where he helped start the government relations and lobbying group.

20+ years

In 2017, Governor-elect Phil Murphy selected Eric to serve on the Human Services Committee for his transition team. During that same year, he was nominated by Kentucky State Senator Jimmy Higdon and commissioned by Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin to become a Kentucky Colonel.

In 2004, Eric was nominated by New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey to serve on the South Jersey Port Corporation's Board of Directors, which is responsible for the development of port facilities in South New Jersey. Eric was reappointed in 2008 by Governor Corzine and again in 2017 by Governor Chris Christie.

In 2018, Eric was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Burbank International Film Festival.

Eric is also a founding member of the Board of Directors for the NYC Fashion Manufactures Alliance of Design Educators and Save the Garment Center in New York City; a position he's held since 2008.

In 2007, Eric was selected by the American Council of Young Political Leaders, a bi-partisan not-for-profit international exchange organization, as a delegate to Vietnam for a two-week political exchange program. Eric joined six other young political leaders from the U.S. to study Vietnam's political system, engage in dialogue on international issues, and forge professional relationships. He's also participated in international trade missions, including trips to the Netherlands, China and the United Arab Emirates.

Eric was appointed in 2007 by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine to serve as a member of the Economic Growth Council to assist with statewide economic development policies.

Eric is a former Committee Chairman for the Mercer County College Board of Trustees Advisory Committee and a former member of the Board of Trustees for the Arts & Business Partnership of Southern New Jersey. He's served on the boards of the Mercer County Workforce Investment Board, the Mercer County Economic Development Committee and Junior Achievement. Eric was appointed by Assembly Majority Leader Paul DiGaetano in 2002 to the New Jersey Council of Local Mandates and served as Vice Chairman until 2004.

MICHAEL HOULIHAN

(Illinois)

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

Experience You Can Count On

Drexwood's core competency is lobbying. Our team's in-depth knowledge of local, state, and federal government enables us to provide our clients with a blueprint for success in the public sector and a unique insight into what hazards to avoid. We use our political knowledge and experience to help our clients understand where they are, see where they need to go, and build a strategy for success here in Illinois. We help identify key public officials best suited to champion our clients' causes as we advocate on their behalf before the state legislature and Illinois's executive agencies. Our job is to get big things done at any level of politics, government, and public life.

15-20 years

Mike founded Drexwood Partners LLC with the mission to merge government affairs with a business savvy approach. By drawing upon his nearly 15 years of experience in government and politics combined with 10 years of experience in finance and real estate, Mike is able to provide a unique perspective to his clients. As a registered lobbyist he works with government officials at the state, county and city level navigating the process to solve problems and achieve the desired results for his clients.

Prior to founding Drexwood, Mike served as executive vice president at All-Circo, Inc, a full service government affairs and lobbying firm. There he handled the needs of over 60 clients ranging from fortune 500 companies and small businesses to units of government, non-profits and associations across all sectors and issues. In addition to helping clients with their legislative and administrative goals, he provided counsel in regards to appropriations, regulation, procurement, and coalition development.

Mike was previously vice president at Chicago-based real estate development firm The Prime Group. Serving as a member of the capital markets group, he provided financial analysis, budgeting, and due diligence on real estate transactions as well as helped facilitate $400 million in financing for the JW Marriott mixed use development on LaSalle Street. He began his career in New York with Jefferies & Company on the institutional trading desk, providing sales trading coverage for corporate accounts and hedge funds.

Mike received a B.S. in Finance from Santa Clara University in 1998. He resides in Chicago with his wife, Liz, and two daughters.

  • 219-201-3923

  • 77 WEST WACKER DRSUITE 4100CHICAGOIL606011818

Subjects: All Subjects

Links:Website

0-5 years

U.S. Senate; U.S. House of Representatives; Illinois Department of Transportation

Before joining the firm, Greg Bales worked for U.S. Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin for more than a decade, serving as senior advisor in the Senator's government office as well as his campaign manager for his 2020 reelection. During his time with the Senator, he oversaw special projects throughout Illinois, and worked as a liaison to elected officials, businesses, community organizations, and other constituencies across the state.

Prior to joining Senator Durbin's staff, Greg worked as a policy advisor for the Illinois Department of Transportation. He was a staffer for former Illinois Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, and he has worked on numerous political campaigns in California, Illinois, and Indiana. Before managing Senator Durbin's recent reelection, Greg took leave to elect Illinois Congressman Sean Casten to his first term in 2018, and served as Illinois state director for Secretary Hillary Clinton's 2016 Presidential campaign.

Greg's relationships span across the state, including the Illinois Congressional delegation, the Illinois General Assembly, City of Chicago, Cook County government, and in numerous municipalities and local units of government. Greg has concentrated on infrastructure funding, economic development, and earmarks. He has worked with Illinois General Assembly leadership on legislative language to ensure millions of dollars in federal funding for election security were allocated to cybersecurity; managed multi-million-dollar campaign budgets; pitched stories and gone on the record with the media; and lobbied for state funding for public transit.

JENNIFER BAPTIST

(Illinois)
  • 2026828141

  • 400 WEST MONROE205SPRINGFIELD, ILIL62704

ROBYN BARRETT

(Illinois)
Clients:
  • 2175271280

  • 1 NORTH OLD STATE CAPITOL PLAZASUITE 410SPRINGFIELDIL62701

Clients:

DEX BATTISTA

(Illinois)

KHADINE BENNETT

(Illinois)

BRIAN BERNARDONI

(Illinois)

ERIC BLANCK

(Illinois)

ADAM BRACKEMYRE

(Illinois)
Clients:
Clients:

ANTHONY BRUNO

(Illinois)

KATHERINE BUCHANAN

(Illinois)

ROBERT BURGAN

(Illinois)

KYLE BURLESON

(Illinois)

RYAN BURROUGHS

(Illinois)

JON CESARETTI

(Illinois)

CHELSEA CHANEY

(Illinois)

ROBERT CHESTNUT

(Illinois)

JENNIFER CLARK

(Illinois)

NORA COLLINS-MANDEVILLE

(Illinois)

JULIE CONENNA

(Illinois)
  • 3129048357

  • BANK OF AMERICA TOWER CHICAGO110 N WACKER DRCHICAGOIL606061511

BRIAN COSTIN

(Illinois)

AISHA DAVIS

(Illinois)

THOMAS DENES

(Illinois)
  • 3123392264

  • 110 N WACKER DRMC: IL4-110-26-01CHICAGOIL606061511

KELLY DENSON

(Illinois)

MARK DESMOND

(Illinois)

MANUEL DIAZ

(Illinois)

GARY DOUGHERTY

(Illinois)

BRITTANY DUFFY

(Illinois)

WILLIAM DUMAIS III

(Illinois)

CAROLYN EHRLICH

(Illinois)

CAITLIN FELDE

(Illinois)

SEAN FLYNN

(Illinois)

PETER FOTOS

(Illinois)
  • 7036245129

  • 500 W. MADISON STREETSUITE 1000CHICAGOIL60661

Clients:

ELIZABETH GALEA

(Illinois)

RICKY GANDHI

(Illinois)

PATRICK GAROFALO

(Illinois)

THOMAS GENTRY

(Illinois)

ONNALEE GETTLER

(Illinois)

WILLIAM GLUNZ

(Illinois)

CHARLES HADDOW

(Illinois)

KRISTINA HAMILTON

(Illinois)

JONATHAN HARVEY

(Illinois)

JASON HEFFLEY

(Illinois)

ANGELA HOOVER

(Illinois)

RYAN JASKIEWICZ

(Illinois)
  • 6306358561

  • 1 E. ERIE STREETSUITE 525 349CHICAGOIL60611

JONATHAN JONES

(Illinois)

BROOKE KELLEY

(Illinois)

MARTIN KLEIN

(Illinois)

ANDREW KNAPP

(Illinois)

SHARON LAMBERTON

(Illinois)

JUSTIN LAMPERT

(Illinois)

GRACE LATTZ

(Illinois)
  • 2179021285

  • 3331 SMYTHBERRY LANEAPY 2SPRINGFIELDIL62711

TOM LONDRIGAN, JR.

(Illinois)
Clients:

ALLYSON LOPSHIRE

(Illinois)

REBECCA LOSLI

(Illinois)

KATELIN LUCARIELLO

(Illinois)

TIM LYNCH

(Illinois)
Clients:

JOSHUA MCCLENNEY

(Illinois)

THOMAS MCDANIELS

(Illinois)

GRACE MCKIBBEN

(Illinois)

CANDICE MILLSAP

(Illinois)

ROBERT MINER

(Illinois)
Clients:

JENNA MITCHELL

(Illinois)

KRISTINA MOORHEAD

(Illinois)
Clients:

SEAN NOBLE

(Illinois)

BERT NUEHRING

(Illinois)

KEITH O HARA

(Illinois)

LAUREN PETERS

(Illinois)
Clients:

STEPHEN RAGAN

(Illinois)

GERARDO REYES

(Illinois)

LIZA ROBERSON-YOUNG

(Illinois)
Clients:

BENJAMIN RUDDELL

(Illinois)

JOSHUA SCHULMAN

(Illinois)

KEVIN SHEEHAN

(Illinois)
Clients:
Clients:

MICHAEL SIUREK

(Illinois)

KEVIN SPIEGEL

(Illinois)

ROBERT STEFANSKI

(Illinois)

KATHERINE STONEWATER

(Illinois)
Clients:

BEN TAUBE

(Illinois)
  • 4046075561

  • 3455 PEACHTREE RD NEMC: GA7-024-12-03ATLANTAGA30326

AMANDA THACKER-BAKER

(Illinois)

ROBERT VANDEN BOSCH

(Illinois)

JAMES WATSON

(Illinois)
  • 2175447404

  • 400 WEST MONROE, SUITE 205SPRINGFIELDIL62704

JOHN WEBER

(Illinois)

ANTHONY WILLINGHAM

(Illinois)
Clients:

SIMON WLODARSKI

(Illinois)
  • 3129922362

  • 110 N. WACKER DR, IL4-110-05-03BANK OF AMERICA TOWER CHICAGOCHICAGOIL60606

JOHN YOUNG

(Illinois)