Brownstein, the country’s top lobbying firm and AmLaw 200 law firm, announced today the launch of its new Public Affairs practice, reinforcing its commitment to shaping narratives, influencing policy and safeguarding reputations in an increasingly complex communications landscape. The firm hired Campbell Spencer and Max Hamel, co-founders of FORA Partners, to chair the practice. Sean Bartlett and Kristina Baum also joined the firm as public affairs senior managers.
This bipartisan team of public affairs and public relations professionals brings decades of Beltway experience to crafting multidimensional strategies that drive measurable outcomes. The new practice will complement the firm’s lobbying and legal work to provide clients with tailored solutions to navigate policy challenges, mobilize key stakeholders and elevate their influence across local, national and global arenas.
“In today’s fast-paced environment, organizations need agile, high-impact public affairs and strategic communications strategies that cut through the noise and deliver real results,” said Rich Benenson, Brownstein’s managing partner. “This new team, led by Campbell and Max, will leverage extensive experience at the highest levels of government, from the White House to state legislatures, ensuring our clients are equipped to shape discourse, build alliances and achieve their advocacy goals.”
Brownstein’s Public Affairs practice will focus on these key areas:
- Best-In-Class Communications – Blending data-driven insights, impactful storytelling, deep media relations and crises management to shape narratives and influence key stakeholders.
- 50-State Approach – Mobilizing engaged constituents and trusted thought leaders to drive momentum through tailored multistate campaigns.
- Digital Advocacy – Leveraging public advertising, new media and social engagement to communicate complex issues effectively.
- Reputation and Brand Management – Crafting research-driven strategies that establish credibility, manage crises and build trust.
- Opinion Research – Providing actionable insights through custom research, message optimization and precise audience targeting.
“Advocacy is changing, and today’s toughest fights demand more firepower. That’s why we’re launching Brownstein’s Public Affairs practice group—with a clear mission to help clients win on the most critical issues, where policy, public opinion and reputation intersect,” said Spencer. “Our clients gain a decisive edge: world-class public affairs and strategic communications, powered by the influence and insight of America’s top government relations firm.”
Spencer is a public affairs and strategic communications professional with 25 years of experience helping clients navigate the complex intersection of business, policy, reputation and politics. She provides high-level counsel to Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and advocacy organizations seeking to shape public discourse and drive significant policy and regulatory outcomes. Her career includes senior roles in national politics and government, including serving in the Obama White House as Midwest political director. Spencer also held senior positions on presidential campaigns and at the Democratic National Committee, where she led national outreach and coalition-building initiatives.
With over 20 years of experience in government and corporate consulting, Hamel effectively positions companies and organizations to address complex policy and regulatory challenges through tailor-made communications and public affairs strategies grounded in research and complemented by cutting-edge creative that shapes the conversation, drives policy and protects clients’ reputation and brand. He served as the chief of staff to the Congressional Advisory Committee on Electronic Commerce, as a media and policy advisor to the Republican National Committee’s 2012 and 2016 national conventions, and as a senior policy advisor to Gov. Jim Gilmore of Virginia.
With over 15 years of experience, Baum leverages her expertise in digital campaigns, earned media outreach and paid media to capture the attention of key stakeholders. Most recently, she worked in the private sector, advising clients on strategic communications and public affairs for highly respected public affairs firms and trade associations. Prior to that, she served as communications director for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for the Trump administration, acting as the chief spokesperson on over 90 policy streams. She also spent time on Capitol Hill, working in senior communications positions for the U.S. House Natural Resources and Space, Science, and Technology committees and the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Bartlett leverages nearly two decades of experience in Washington to design and implement impactful public affairs strategies and campaigns that drive change and respond to crises. At the U.S. Department of State, Sean held multiple roles developing policy messaging for the Biden administration, including deputy assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Global Public Affairs. He also served as a liaison to the Bureau of Legislative Affairs and the lead senior advisor to the department spokesperson, where he coordinated public and internal messaging in the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. During his tenure with the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Bartlett oversaw a multimillion-dollar communications budget to support the bank’s mission.