In 2010, after 20 years as a State Capitol lobbyist, Mike Dugan established Capitol Consulting a full-service government relations firm. Capitol Consulting provides the experience, integrity, access and respect one achieves through years of successful representation of our clients' issues. Capitol Consulting is well respected with a proven network of legislative and state agency contacts to navigate the often-complex halls of state government. Capitol Consulting is founded on the simple principle that there is no substitute for hard work.
2) American Council of Engineering Companies of CT
3) American Family Life Assurance Company (AFLAC)
5) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
6) Christian Healthcare Ministries, Inc.
8) Connecticut Association of Independent Schools
9) Connecticut College of Emergency Physicians
10) Connecticut Environmental Council
11) Connecticut Land Conservation Council
12) Connecticut Preservation Action
13) Connecticut State Golf Association
14) Connecticut Tax Collectors Association
15) Consumer Data industry Association
16) Credit Union League of Connecticut
17) CT Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
18) CT Funeral Directors Assoc.
19) CT Industrial Energy Consumers
22) CTIA - The Wireless Association
23) DaVita Health Care Partners Inc.
24) Dijon LLC
25) Diversified Brokerage Group Corporation
26) eBay, Inc.
27) Horizon Therapeutics USA, Inc.
28) Kinship Health
29) Kooth USA, LLC
30) National Payroll Reporting Consortium, Inc.
33) Outdoor Advertising Assoc. of CT
35) Scan Optics, LLC
36) StubHub, Inc.
37) The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
38) The Retreat (Retreat) c/o The Law Office of Juda J. Epstein
39) TikTok Inc.
20+ years
Since 1989, Mr. Dugan has been lobbying legislators, state agency officials, constitutional officers and municipal officials on behalf of a wide variety of clients. As a Capitol lobbyist, Mr. Dugan has assisted numerous corporations, associations and nonprofits navigate the halls of state government. Clients have come to rely on his strategic counsel and advice to achieve success on their legislative and regulatory agendas.
During his over two decades of lobbying Mr. Dugan has represented dozens of clients before state government, included but not limited to: Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Visa, eBay, Diebold Election Systems, Connecticut Society of CPAs, Outdoor Advertisers, Emergency Physicians, Funeral Directors, Physical Therapist, School Psychologists, Town Clerks, The Trust for Public Land and the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut.
Prior to becoming a Capitol lobbyist, Mike was the 2nd Congressional District Campaign Coordinator for the successful 1986 campaign of then Governor William A. O'Neill. Following that campaign he was the Legislative Assistant for two different Speakers of the Connecticut House of Representatives.
Mr. Dugan was recognized by Hartford Magazine as one of the "Players" among the Lobbyists at the State Capitol. He continues to be active politically, serving as an advisor on numerous statewide and local campaigns. He has served as a delegate to several state and congressional conventions.
Since 1999, the Liberty Square Group has been delivering strategic, integrated communications and public and government affairs counsel to a host of businesses, associations, political candidates and non-profit organizations.
20+ years
Jim Leahy brings 30 years of experience in lobbying, non-profit association management and political organizing to Liberty Square Group. An expert in building strong grassroots organizations, he has worked with clients in a wide variety of sectors, including healthcare, environment, consumer protection, budget, gaming, government procurement, public safety, development, as well as arts & culture. His advocacy track record includes several high profile wins, including two first-in-the-nation laws, one to require labeling genetically modified foods and another to require labeling small parts that pose choking hazards to children under 3.
A seasoned lecturer with a focus on leadership, grassroots advocacy and communicating with public officials, Mr. Leahy has addressed professionals at national, regional, and state organizations as well as students at more than a dozen New England colleges and universities. He is also a Certified Association Executive, the highest level of professional achievement available from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
A graduate of Brandeis University with a B.A. in Psychology, Mr. Leahy lives in Tolland Connecticut.
In 2010, after 20 years as a State Capitol lobbyist, Mike Dugan established Capitol Consulting a full-service government relations firm. Capitol Consulting provides the experience, integrity, access and respect one achieves through years of successful representation of our clients' issues. Capitol Consulting is well respected with a proven network of legislative and state agency contacts to navigate the often-complex halls of state government. Capitol Consulting is founded on the simple principle that there is no substitute for hard work.
2) AbbVie Inc.
3) American Council of Engineering Companies of CT
4) American Family Life Assurance Company (AFLAC)
5) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
6) Christian Healthcare Ministries, Inc.
8) Community Association Institute - Connecticut
9) Connecticut Alcohol Retailers Exchange Inc.
10) Connecticut Alliance for Subacute Care Inc
11) Connecticut Association of Independent Schools
12) Connecticut College of Emergency Physicians
13) Connecticut Environmental Council
14) Connecticut Land Conservation Council
15) Connecticut Preservation Action
16) Consumer Data industry Association
17) Credit Union League of Connecticut
18) CT Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
19) CT Funeral Directors Assoc.
20) CT Industrial Energy Consumers
22) CT Physical Therapy Association
27) Diversified Brokerage Group Corporation
28) eBay, Inc.
29) Eli Lilly & Co.
30) First American Title Insurance Company
31) Horizon Therapeutics USA, Inc.
32) JUUL Labs Inc.
33) Kinship Health
34) Kooth USA, LLC
36) National Payroll Reporting Consortium, Inc.
37) National Waste & Recycling Association
38) NextEra Energy Resources, LLC
41) Outdoor Advertising Assoc. of CT
43) Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America
46) Scan Optics, LLC
47) StubHub, Inc.
48) The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
49) TikTok Inc.
20+ years
Liz Connelly joins Capitol Consulting as a Government Relations Associate after more than six years on staff in the Connecticut General Assembly. Liz began her tenure with House Democrats as a top advisor to then House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz (Berlin and Southington). When Rep. Aresimowicz was elected Speaker of the House, Liz was then promoted to Senior Legislative and Communications Advisor to Speaker of the House. During her time as a senior advisor to the Speaker, Liz developed and maintains a wide network of legislators, state agency, staff and advocacy organizations. In addition, she was responsible for dealing and negotiating with numerous business and industry representatives on behalf of the Speaker. Liz brings to Capitol Consulting a strong work ethic and a clear understanding of the legislative process to immediately assist Capitol Consulting's clients. In addition to lobbying directly for the firm's numerous clients, Liz will manage the firm's social media presence, assist in the firm's marketing for new business and maintain the firm's bill tracking system.
Prior to working in the legislature, Liz served as a Communications and Media Coordinator at The Governor's Prevention Partnership, a nonprofit organization that builds and offers youth prevention programs to prevent substance misuse and bullying.
Liz received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut, where she double majored in political science and journalism.
