Hollis Public Affairs

Background:
Hollis Public Affairs (HPA) is a dynamic and rapidly expanding public relations and lobbying firm representing a diverse portfolio of clients across industries, including health care, financial services, technology, social media, and the nonprofit sector. The firm specializes in providing strategic advocacy, communications, and development services to help their clients navigate the complex intersection of government, business, and community interests.  Known for an innovative approach and its tailored public policy and communication strategies, HPA is committed to advancing its clients’ interests in the context of and in response to the ever-evolving landscape of New York State policy and regulation.

The Position:
Hollis Public Affairs (HPA) is seeking a Legislative Counsel to serve as a critical member of HPA’s legal and government relations team, providing expert guidance, support, and advocacy for its varied clientele. This Albany-based position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of law, policy, and politics in New York State, helping to shape legislation and regulatory outcomes that will impact sectors vital to the state’s economy and communities.

The Legislative Counsel must have the demonstrated ability to act as a liaison between the firm and other constituencies, ideally having familiarity with New York State agencies and legislators, and experience working with elected and appointed officials. The ideal candidate will be adept at identifying new and proposed policies, legislative proposals, and regulations affecting clients in order to build a plan of action, which would include drafting legislation, preparing testimony and other written materials, and representing clients in meetings and public forums.

In addition, they must be highly intelligent, a strong leader and a self-starter with a commitment to HPA and its clients.  They must be an attorney in good standing in New York and possess substantial experience with law, rules, and regulations, as well as a deep understanding of government operations, advocacy, and policy implementation. In addition, they must be a hands-on manager, a strategic thinker and planner, an effective problem solver with a proven record of accomplishments who is adept at  responding to crises quickly and decisively.

Excellent negotiation and communication skills are critical.  The ideal candidate must be comfortable in making presentations before corporate executives, elected officials, public agency administrators, and the public. The Legislative Counsel must be able to work closely with the leadership team and staff to promote an open, inclusive environment that emphasizes cooperation and teamwork with a minimum of ego.  In addition, they will be diplomatic, of the highest integrity, and possess unwavering tenacity, grit, and sound judgment, as well as a sense of humor.

Key responsibilities include:  

• Lead legislative strategy and lobbying campaignsfor multiple clients across sectors, including agenda development, goal setting, tactical planning, and execution through session and interim periods.
• Serve as senior counsel on New York State legislative and regulatory matters,providing strategic guidance to firm principals and clients on policy risk, opportunity, and political feasibility.
• Draft, negotiate, and advance legislation(including chapter amendments), coordinating directly with legislative staff, agency counsel, and executive chamber stakeholders.
• Oversee monitoring and analysis of legislation, budgets, and regulationsaffecting client interests; synthesize developments into clear strategic recommendations and client-ready products.
• Represent clients and the firm in high-stakes forums,including legislative hearings, agency proceedings, coalition tables, and meetings with elected and appointed officials.
• Design and deliver persuasive written advocacy materials,including position papers, testimony, memos, regulatory comments, talking points, and policy briefs tailored for decision-makers.
• Lead or co-lead stakeholder and coalition strategy,building alliances with advocacy groups, industry associations, community leaders, and other partners to advance client goals.
• Provide day-to-day supervision and quality controlfor junior staff and/or cross-functional teams supporting legislative accounts, including work planning, mentoring, and review of deliverables.
• Support business development and firm growthby identifying new policy opportunities, contributing to proposals, and helping expand existing client relationships.
• Serve as a visible culture-carrier and thought partnerwithin HPA, promoting collaboration, inclusivity, and high professional standards across engagements.
• Support the firm’s involvement in rulemaking and regulatory proceedings, including research, drafting comments, and navigating procedures in accordance with the New York State Administrative Procedure Act (SAPA).
• Analyze, draft, and review legislative proposals, amendments, and regulatory filings on behalf of clients across multiple sectors.
• Support the firm’s involvement in rulemaking and regulatory proceedings, including research, drafting comments, and navigating procedures in accordance with the New York State Administrative Procedure Act (SAPA).
• Other duties as required by the scope of responsibility for this job.

Internally Focused Engagement

• Firm Partners, Principles and Senior Leaders to align advocacy strategies with client priorities and firm objectives.
• Government Relations, Communications, and Research team members to integrate lobbying, media, and stakeholder tactics into unified campaigns.
• Junior policy staff and legal/legislative associates for delegation, coaching, and consistent delivery excellence.

Externally Focused Engagement

• New York State legislators, committee staff, and leadership offices; Governor’s Office and executive agencies.
• Client executives, general counsels, government affairs leads, and advocacy teams across multiple industries and nonprofit sectors.
• Coalitions, industry associations, grassroots organizations, and civic stakeholders relevant to client programs.

Capabilities and Competencies 

• Advanced knowledge of New York State legislative procedure, budget mechanics, and political dynamics. Business Acumen: Identifies opportunities for improvement or growth within the business and can independently make decisions that drive these outcomes.
• Business Communication and Self Awareness: Communicates clearly and effectively across teams, adapts communication style for different audiences, and independently adjusts based on feedback. Adapts language for technical vs. non-technical audiences and uses feedback from past interactions to improve future communication.
• Enterprise Operations: Manages day-to-day within assigned responsibilities, ensuring that processes run smoothly. Independently oversees project logistics, ensuring resources are used efficiently and deadlines are met.
• Enterprise Visioning: Proactively develops ideas that drive the organization toward its vision, showing strategic foresight. Suggests initiatives that prepare the organization for future challenges, demonstrating a deep understanding of the vision.
• Industry Experience and Expertise: Uses industry expertise to provide insights, identify opportunities, and make recommendations that improve the organization’s competitiveness.
• Professional Effectiveness: Proactively identifies ways to increase personal productivity, supports team efficiency, and seeks continuous improvement. Checks for high-quality accuracy when executing assigned tasks. Begins to identify pain points within processes, practices, or protocols.
• Relationship Management: Strengthens relationships by proactively addressing needs, resolving conflicts, and building long-term partnerships. Engages stakeholders regularly, identifies opportunities for collaboration, and strengthens trust.
• Risk Analysis and Assessment: Conducts risk assessments independently, identifies key risks, and suggests basic mitigation strategies. Analyzes risk data, identifies patterns, and provides initial recommendations for risk reduction.
• Senior Leadership: Leads projects or initiatives that align with executive direction, demonstrating growing leadership abilities. Influences, motivates, and brings people together; assesses, defines, and drives organizational culture; builds buy-in around mission and strategy. Takes ownership of significant projects, engaging with multiple teams and aligning with executive priorities.
• Stakeholder Management: Proactively manages stakeholder expectations, builds strong partnerships, and aligns stakeholder interests with organizational objectives.
• Strategy Development and Design: Develops strategies for specific initiatives independently, aligning objectives with organizational goals. Designs a strategy for a project that addresses key business challenges and aligns with overall objectives.
• Strategy Execution and Oversight: Manages the execution of a strategy within their scope, ensuring milestones are met and objectives are achieved. Oversees the implementation of a specific strategic initiative, tracking progress and making adjustments as needed.
• Technology Acumen: Adapts technology to solve problems, identifies technology trends, and suggests improvements for organizational processes.
• Understanding Enterprise Impact: Independently aligns work with organizational goals, understanding how their efforts impact overall success. Sets priorities that align with organizational goals, ensuring their contributions support the broader

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active admission to the New York State Bar in good standing (required).
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in New York State government, legislative counsel roles, government relations, policy advocacy, and/or lobbying.
• Prior experience in the NYS Governor’s Office, State Senate, State Assembly, or relevant state agency strongly preferred, with direct involvement in legislative negotiations and procedure.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage senior client relationships and deliver measurable advocacy outcomes.
• Residency in or willingness to relocate to the Albany, NY area.

Other Information:

Projected salary range is:  $150K – $180K plus benefits.

All positions at HPA are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  All are encouraged to apply.