15-20 years

Jim O'Brien, the founder of the firm, has been involved in Connecticut politics and government for the last 20 years. Jim began his political career in college by working as an intern on Capitol Hill. After college, Jim continued to pursue his interest in politics by working on several campaigns and political events and in 1994, Jim went to work in the Connecticut Governor's office as a Legislative Liaison. Jim helped organize the Governor's legislative agenda and his responsibilities included both editing proposed legislation as well as developing and executing a strategy to pass the legislation. He also represented the Governor's office on the Electric Deregulation Working Group, a group formed to analyze ways in which to deregulate the electric utility industry.
Upon leaving the Governor's office in 1997, Jim joined an investment firm. Also, in that year, Jim ran and was elected to the West Hartford Town Council where he served two terms. In 2004, Jim started his own government relations firm, J. O'Brien & Associates, LLC.
Jim received his B.A. in History from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 1988 and his J.D. from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in 1995.

20+ years

Bruce is the founder of Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group. Having worked the halls and hearing rooms of the State House for more than 40 years, he is one of the most experienced lobbyists in Concord and has developed deep relationships with key policy makers.

Bruce began his work in state government in 1980 as a college intern and later served as a legislative assistant to the New Hampshire House Majority Leader. He began his lobbying career as the Legislative Counsel to the Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire, the state's leading business advocacy organization.

Bruce has represented clients in a wide variety of policy issues during his career including taxation, environmental regulation, electric utility restructuring and health policy.

He has also been involved in political campaigns for the past 40 years and is a sought-after advisor to candidates during each election cycle.

15-20 years

Prior to starting on her own, Christine was the Director of Government Affairs for two of the largest state agencies in Washington State: Department of Social and Health Services and the Department of Labor and Industries as well as lobbying for the Associated General Contractors of Washington.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Central Washington University, and lives in Olympia with her husband, who owns a commercial water construction business as well as large storage facility, and five children. Christine and her family are very active in their community and are major donors to the Hands' on Children's Museum in Olympia, Boys and Girls Club of Thurston County, St. Martins University, and the the Olympia School District Education Foundation.

Christine is also a member of the Association of Washington Business, serves on the state of Washington Paid Family Leave Advisory Committee representing employer interests and is the past-president for the Olympia Hand's on Children's Museum.

6-10 years

Simon joined Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group in 2015 after serving for 10 years as a staff member for two New Hampshire U.S. Senators, John E. Sununu and Kelly Ayotte.

During Simon's tenure as a senate staffer, he worked on many in-state issues, which led to him developing meaningful relationships throughout the state and in state government that now provide our clients with a deep network to address concerns.

Since joining the firm, Simon has been involved in many key legislative issues at the State House. With his experience in public service, commitment to his clients, and the respect he has built on both sides of the aisle, Simon has become a go-to advocate who has served Capitol Group's clients well.

Simon was raised in a political family. His grandfather, Meldrim Thomson Jr., served three terms as governor of New Hampshire in the 1970s and his mother served three terms as a state representative.

As a third generation participant in New Hampshire's political process, Simon has developed his own network of elected officials and state agency staff members, which gives him insight on the innerworkings of the State House and throughout state government.

Simon, his wife Liz, and their two sons live in Merrimack, N.H. where he has served as a member of the town's Conservation Commission. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Greater Nashua YMCA and was recently installed as an incorporator with Franklin Savings Bank.