Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATE
Skilled government relations professional, with broad knowledge of federal legislative strategy. Expert in
developing grassroots messaging. Adept in advocacy for labor, public interest, and environmental groups,
raising their presence and effectiveness on Capitol Hill. Experienced in managing relations with coalitions,
and the legislative and executive branches. Expertise in the political process. Excellent communicator with
emphasis on building strong client relationships. Skilled in message development, authoring legislation, and
public affairs. Proven ability to implement strategy on national legislation. Additional experience in
representing foreign governments, and in criminal trial litigation.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Legislative Strategy
Public Speaking
Environmental Legislation
Congressional Lobbying
Public Policy
Speech Writing
Congressional Testimony
Media Relations
Trial Litigation
Coalition Initiatives
Message Development
Trade Legislation
Foreign Policy
Op-Ed Authorship
Diplomatic Initiatives
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Government Relations Consultant, Washington, DC, 1999-Present
Lobby for wide range of clients including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Electronics
TakeBack Coalition, the Institute for Policy Studies, Conrad & Scherer (one of Floridas leading law firms),
Citizens Trade Campaign, the International Labor Rights Forum, and others. Advise foreign governments on
relations with the United States. Develop innovative approaches to environmental, trade, and labor
legislation. Advise clients on message development; Write opinion-editorial articles for members of
Congress and others.
Conceived critical amendment on China PNTR legislation; it garnered more votes than any other
amendment. The amendment was sponsored by Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC).
Conceived and implemented strategy to secure multiple Republican conservative sponsors for liberal
environmental, pro-EPA legislation.
Conceived and implemented lobbying strategy on an amendment to President Bushs Fast Track bill.
My amendment was labeled the killer amendment by the Bush administration. Then-Senator John
Kerry (D-MA) sponsored the measure.
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Washington, DC, 1990-1994
Director, Government Affairs
Lobbied congressional and executive branches, creating legislative and grassroots strategies for one of the
largest international unions in the AFL-CIO. Acted as primary legislative spokesman. Designed strategic
campaigns to protect the jobs of union members.
Acknowledged as prime mover on OSHA Reform Bill strategy; worked closely with the executive
branch. Secured conservative supporters for this key liberal labor bill.
Key planner in establishment of a coalition structure for a robust network of advocacy groups on
international trade issues.
Conceived and created campaign to successfully challenge House Chair on major tax legislation.
Legislative representative for NGO umbrella for 100 organizations across the country. Lobbied and created
grassroots strategies on issues concerning Puerto Ricans.
Led congressional and grassroots initiatives for a coalition of professional, research, religious, and human
rights groups.
Responsible for research on winning brief in criminal case that clarified New York State law in a
matter concerning insanity acquittees. (People vs. Ortega 127 Misc. 2nd 717; dismissal of charges
upheld by Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court, and Affirmed by New Yorks highest
court, the Court of Appeals, 69 N.Y. 2d, 763
http://www.leagle.com/decision/1985844127Misc2d717_1689/PEOPLE%20v.%20ORTEGA
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, New York University School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, Political Science Major, The City College of New York