After merger, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney makes splash with $733K in Q2 lobbying fees

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Florida has always been in the sights of Pittsburgh-based mega-firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC — one of the nation’s top 20 federal lobbying practices.

The firm’s March 2014 merger with Tampa’s Fowler White Boggs is evidence of its Tallahassee ambitions, further bolstered by Q2 lobbing earnings of $732,953 – $452,977 legislative and $279,976 executive. With Q1 fees of $772,952, the newest Tallahassee heavyweights have brought in $1,505,905 in 2014 so far.

Fowler White’s 6-person lobbying team, led by Mac Stipanovich, the state’s most-quotable Republican consultant, now services Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney’s roster of 31 legislative and 31 executive clients. The powerhouse lineup also includes former state Rep. Keith Arnold, healthcare and appropriations expert Brett Bacot, top consultants Jim Magill, Kimberly McGlynn, and environmental and land use specialist Linda Loomis Shelley.

United States Sugar Corporation — Florida’s agricultural and lobbying giant — is the top BI&R client, with $63,000 in legislative and up to $29,999 in executive fees. After that, it is State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and Lee Memorial Health System, each chipping in up to $29,999 for legislative advocacy.

At the $19,999 legislative level are Tampa-based University Medical Service Association, Inc., Universal City Development Partners, LTD. (dba Universal Orlando), Trademark Metals Recycling and lottery gaming specialists Scientific Games International.

Leading BI&R executive clients, after U.S. Sugar, include the Florida League of Cities and Lee Memorial Health System at the $19,999 level, followed by up to $9,999 each from:

Currently, the combined firm is cobranded in Florida as Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney/Fowler White Boggs. By next year, the firm will rebrand under a single name, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC.

Peter Schorsch is the President of Extensive Enterprises and is the publisher of some of Florida’s most influential new media websites, including SaintPetersBlog.com, FloridaPolitics.com, ContextFlorida.com, and Sunburn, the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. SaintPetersBlog has for three years running been ranked by the Washington Post as the best state-based blog in Florida. In addition to his publishing efforts, Peter is a political consultant to several of the state’s largest governmental affairs and public relations firms. Peter lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Ella.