Established a government relations department representing over fifteen national franchisee associations and 1.5 million independent business owners in the franchisee industry.Oversee government relations staff and serve as senior staff representative for legal and government relations issues. Serve as liaison between franchisees and corporate government relations and legal departments regarding matters including, but not limited to, trademark and copyright law, unified political strategies and coalition building. Oversee federal and state government relations staff concerning issues such as tax, immigration, health care, minimum wage and food safety.Organize government relations conferences for respective franchisee association meetings, including: managing hill visits; acquiring congressional speakers for legislative cocktail receptions, lunches and dinners; hosting PAC fundraisers; organizing speakers and panels for breakout sessions and preparing all written materials for both attendees and members concerning issues of importance to franchisees. Serve as PAC director and Treasurer, making recommendations to Government Relations Committees regarding disbursements and providing political strategy for upcoming election years. Work with state and federal coalitions to create grassroots activism on issues including health care, taxes, nutritional information and immigration. Provide weekly legislative update to Boards of Directors, Government Relations Committees and Regional Directors. Represent association at national and regional meetings as well as non-member franchisee association meetings. Serve as keynote speaker regarding current government relations issues.

Attorney, Government Relations/Manager of Compliance & EthicsMonitored, tracked and analyzed legislation on behalf of 13.3 million direct sellers and over 200 member companies.Attended and testified in support of or in opposition to legislation in federal and state legislative committees.Met with federal and state legislators concerning issues including workers compensation, unemployment compensation, independent contractor status and other tax issues on behalf of direct selling industry.Drafted advisory memoranda, amicus briefs and "action alerts" to membership regarding legislative or judicial actions.Acted as liaison to democratic federal and state political organizations.Created, oversaw and conducted one year review process for hundreds of pending member companies to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.Represented and spoke on behalf of association at consumer protection conferences, state retail association meetings, member company conferences and association-related meetings.

Political Law GroupCreated and managed incoming and outgoing contributions for 12 political action committees, including those on behalf of congressional, senatorial and presidential candidates.Allocated funds and conducted monetary transfers according to federal and non-federal election laws.Filed all FEC, IRS and state lobbying and reporting statements.Ensured compliance with both state and federal law, including integration of Bi-Partisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA).

Conducted preliminary interviews with potential clients.Oversaw discovery process, including preparing interrogatories, deposition questions, organizing financial documents and meeting with clients to discuss and prepare appropriate responses to such documents.Prepared opening and closing arguments for managing partners.Drafted briefs, memoranda and other legal documents on behalf of clients.Prepared Qualified Domestic Relations Orders and other retirement-related documents for appropriate governmental agencies.Attended legal seminars, trainings and informational sessions on domestic violence, custody and other family law matters.

Organized all incoming and outgoing contributions during 1996 presidential election.Served as liaison to finance department staff for all contributions, donor information and contribution limits.Monitored incoming donations to ensure compliance with federal election law.Vetted donors for various presidential, senatorial and congressional fundraising events.Oversaw 3 interns and one assistant to assist in tasks.