20+ years

Capitol Inside recently ranked him among the top 50 Hired Gun lobbyists

Former legislative intern to Congressman Barney Frank
Former legislative assistant to State Senator John Sharp
Former legislative assistant to State Senator Rodney Ellis
Former Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Ann W. Richards
Interim Director, Texas Ethics Commission

Carl's areas of concentration are legislative representation and administrative law. Prior to starting his law own firm, Carl worked at three major Texas-based law firms and built successful legislative and public policy practices and achieved the status of partner. Over his 30-year career, he has managed both large and small external legislative teams or worked closely with other lobbyists to represent corporations, governmental and quasi-governmental clients, and trade associations. He has lobbied the Texas legislature on issues ranging from appropriations, financial services, education, elections, energy, environmental regulations, gaming, healthcare, housing, land use development, local government, insurance, public utility regulation, taxes, tort reform, transportation and water issues.

He served as Vice President of Government Affairs for TXU Energy where he managed the company's state legislative and regulatory advocacy teams and external consultants. Additionally, he managed TXU Energy's employee-based political action committee and its associated activities.

Carl is considered among Texas' top power lobbyists. Capitol Inside recently ranked him among the top 50 Hired Gun lobbyists. In its 2009 and 2011 lobby power rankings, the publication ranked Mr. Richie second and fourth respectively in the "Corporate In-House Lobbyists" category as the lead lobbyist for energy giant TXU Energy. In the law firm category, he ranked among the five in 2003 and 2005 as a lobbyist with the law firm Gardere Wynne Sewell, LLP.

Carl has extensive legislative experience, having worked at all three levels of government; local, state and federal. He began his legislative career serving as a Fellow to a member of the United States Congress. Following that, he served as a Chief of Staff to a member of the Houston City Council. Carl went on to serve as a legislative assistant to two former State Senators, John Sharp, and Rodney Ellis. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Texas Governor Ann W. Richards. While serving in the Governor's office, he led the Governor's Ethics Commission Task Force, which established the Texas Ethics Commission and he served as the agency's Interim Director.

Carl also is a skilled administrative litigator. He has represented clients in administrative matters before state and federal agencies in the areas of campaign finance, energy matters, and housing issues. Carl has extensive experience representing clients in numerous areas of the electric utility industry, including competitive retail providers, independent power producers, power marketers, utilities, municipal utilities, and consumers. Carl has participated in numerous contested and negotiated proceedings before state and federal regulatory agencies. He also provides strategic counseling and governance representation to nonprofit organizations.

In 2007, Carl was recognized as one of Best Lawyers in America by Woodward/White. In March 1991, Carl was one of 60 individuals to be named as "A Rising Star" in American politics by Campaigns and Elections magazine. Additionally, he was one of 35 individuals from across the country in the executive, judicial and legislative branches of state government to be selected to participate in the Henry Toll Fellowship and was elected Class President of the 1993 Fellows Class.

Carl is very active with local, state and nation civic organizations. Currently, Carl serves as President of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority for the City of Austin. He has earned numerous state, regional and national awards for his work in public housing. He is certified to teach courses in the area public housing and ethics.

Carl is married to Nan Burley Richie and they have a daughter, Ana Elizabeth.

DAVID A. SMITH is a partner in the Princeton Public Affairs Group, is a veteran of the public affairs arena and has successfully managed public affairs campaigns impacting auto insurance, life insurance, tort reform and environmental legislative initiatives. Mr. Smith received national acclaim when he was honored with a ""Pollie Award"" by the American Association of Political Consultants and named to their United States ""Public Affairs Team of the Year." Mr. Smith was also named one of the most influential players in New Jersey's Healthcare arena by the Annual HealthSense Listing. Since 2005, Mr. Smith has been a Commissioner on the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (nominated by the Governor for two separate four year terms and confirmed by the NJ Senate) and currently serves as an Officer on the Commission (Secretary). Mr. Smith serves on the National Board of Directors of the Public Affairs Council, and was one of the few contract lobbyists in the Country to be appointed to a National Task Force charged with creating ethical standard for lobbyists throughout the United States. Mr. Smith is a founder and member of the Board of Directors of ProtectingAmerica.org, an advocacy organization Co-chaired by James Lee Witt, former Cabinet member under President Clinton and Admiral James Loy, Deputy Director of Homeland Security under President Bush. Mr. Smith also serves as an Officer (1st Vice President) of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Directors and also serves on the Executive Committee (Secretary) of The Advocacy Group (TAG). Finally, Mr. Smith serves on the Board of Directors as an officer (Treasurer) of the State Capitol Insurance Company RRG, the first professional liability company for lobbyists headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mr. Smith has appeared on television and radio stations representing clients' interests, authored dozens of articles on politics/policy issues in New Jersey and is a frequent guest speaker/lecturer at national and state conferences, legislative hearings, meetings and seminars. He has been a consultant to statewide and legislative political campaigns and is a member of the Executive Finance Committee of the Assembly Democratic Leadership Committee as well as the New Jersey State Democratic Committee. Prior to joining the firm in 1995, Mr. Smith served as Director of Policy and Planning for the New Jersey General Assembly Democratic Office. In that capacity, Mr. Smith supervised the partisan staff of all Assembly Committees and Task Forces while serving as senior staff aide to the insurance and commerce legislative committees. He was a Director with the New Jersey Dental Association from 1985 to 1990 and served on several national and state health care and insurance advisory committees.

Mr. Smith was awarded a Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) Degree from the Richard D. Irwin Graduate School of The American College. He is a Graduate Fellow of the Public Affairs Institute, a three year educational program of the Public Affairs Council located in Washington, DC. Mr. Smith also graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science from Gettysburg College.

6-10 years

Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch": Government Relations

Dieter Raemdonck's practice is focused primarily on government relations matters at the federal, state, and local levels.

As a registered lobbyist, Mr. Raemdonck has invaluable expertise and experience communicating with state, county and municipal officials; state and federal legislators; executive branch employees; and state agencies and regulators. At the Colorado General Assembly, Dieter assists clients with all aspects of the legislative process, including drafting legislation, building coalitions, developing strategies for advocacy and messaging, lobbying legislators, and ultimately achieving clients' desired policy outcomes. His clients have a broad range of priorities, from general business issues to education, energy, real estate, and technology. In addition, he regularly advises and assists clients with political giving programs and campaign finance matters.

Dieter's practice also includes advocating client interests before regulatory bodies at the state and local levels. He often drafts proposed regulations, and represents clients before administrative boards and commissions.

20+ years

Clay was just re-appointed to U.S. EPA's Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, a senior-level policy committee established by Congress to provide EPA with independent advice, information and recommendations on policy and technical issues associated with the development, implementation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act.

Clay is also a member of The National Petroleum Council, a federally chartered and privately funded advisory committee established in 1946 by President Truman, to advise, inform, and make recommendations to the Secretary of Energy with respect to any matter relating to oil and natural gas or to the oil and natural gas industries.

Further, Clay is a member of the Executive Committee and serves as the Chair of the Transportation Committee for the Texas Association of Business.

Additionally, he was a member of the Executive Committee of the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT). He played a key role in WCIT Austin's national and global networking program having traveled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Mexico to promote trade exchange with top-ranking government and business leaders.

Clay Pope founded Pope Strategies Group with a mission to cultivate honest and effective relationships. Clay's personal approach takes the complexity out of business relationships, making him your trusted partner for success. He represents clients before the Texas Legislature, Texas Governor's Office, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Railroad Commission, Texas General Land Office, Texas Comptroller's Office, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Texas Water Development Board and Texas Department of Transportation.

Clay Pope is a public affairs consultant based in Austin, Texas. He has over 36 years of experience in the governmental field.

Clay assists corporations, local governments, individuals and foundations primarily in the areas of environmental management, water resource development, economic development, information technology, taxation and transportation. He represents clients before the Texas Legislature, Texas Governor's Office, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Railroad Commission, Texas General Land Office, Texas Comptroller's Office, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Texas Water Development Board and Texas Department of Transportation.

Prior to establishing an independent practice, Clay sub-contracted with Mike Toomey, Doc Arnold and Cliff Johnson working on their clients' interests before the Texas Legislature and state agencies. Term: July 1991 to August 1993.

Clay was the Commissioners' Legislative Assistant at the Texas Water Commission, the predecessor agency to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. In this position he presented the commissioners' positions to the Texas Legislature. Term: January 1991 to July 1991.

The Texas House of Representatives employed Clay in various positions. Starting as a Sergeant, commonly known as a Page, he was later assigned to the Appropriations Committee. Next, Representatives Sam Johnson (R-Plano) and Cliff Johnson (D-Palestine) jointly employed him as a Legislative Assistant and later he became Administrative Assistant to Cliff Johnson. Upon Cliff Johnson becoming Governor Clements' Legislative Director, he became Legislative Assistant to Representatives Ron Lewis (D-Mauriceville) and Rick Perry (then D, later R-Haskell). Once Cliff Johnson's successor was elected, Dick Swift (D-Palestine), Clay was employed as his Administrative Assistant. Term: September 1985 to January 1991.

Clay was just re-appointed to U.S. EPA's Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, a senior-level policy committee established by Congress to provide EPA with independent advice, information and recommendations on policy and technical issues associated with the development, implementation and enforcement of the Clean Air Act.

Clay is also a member of The National Petroleum Council, a federally chartered and privately funded advisory committee established in 1946 by President Truman, to advise, inform, and make recommendations to the Secretary of Energy with respect to any matter relating to oil and natural gas or to the oil and natural gas industries.

Further, Clay is a member of the Executive Committee and serves as the Chair of the Transportation Committee for the Texas Association of Business.

Additionally, he was a member of the Executive Committee of the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT). He played a key role in WCIT Austin's national and global networking program having traveled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Mexico to promote trade exchange with top-ranking government and business leaders.

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.