Brownstein Announces 2026 Shareholder and Policy Director Elevations

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is pleased to announce 13 elevations effective Jan. 1, 2026. Elaine Bailey (Denver), Mack Carlson (Santa Barbara), James Carter (Denver), Matt Hofer (Santa Barbara), Marcus Reeslund (Los Angeles), Andrew Rothberg (Denver), Bella Sewall (Washington, D.C.), Melissa Thevenot (Atlantic City) and Mackenzie Warren Kay (Las Vegas) will all become shareholders. Brandt Anderson, Mimi Burke, Lauren Diekman and Maxwell Huntley, all based in Washington, D.C., will become policy directors.

At Brownstein, clients receive access to the top legal minds in the industry, powerful policy knowledge and best-in-class business acumen to solve businesses’ toughest challenges. Brownstein is a law and lobbying firm that has been making moves for more than 55 years to stay at the vanguard of its industry. The firm is at the heart of many of the most important cases, the most significant deals and the country’s most pivotal legislation. At Brownstein—we’re all in.

Shareholders

Elaine Bailey, a member of the firm’s Real Estate Department, focuses on lender-side finance and hospitality deals. She is known for crafting creative solutions for clients and effectively managing all components of deals and deadlines to move projects to close on time. Bailey has a proven track record with high-dollar real estate financing work for lenders, hotel management agreements, purchase and sale of hotels and resorts, and public finance work. She also handles general real estate acquisitions and dispositions.

Mack Carlson, a member of the firm’s Natural Resources Department, advises public agencies, developers and water districts on complex environmental, land use, housing, public law and water law matters. He has developed a detailed understanding of land use, especially related to assisting developers to understand and leverage California housing laws—including the Housing Accountability Act, Density Bonus Law and the Permit Streamlining Act—to advance residential and mixed-use projects.

James Carter, a member of the firm’s Real Estate Department, advises lenders and borrowers across a variety of loan types and asset classes, with an average annual transaction volume in excess of $1 billion. He has deep expertise in structuring and negotiating complex financing arrangements and employs a practical, business-oriented approach to solving problems.

Matt Hofer, a member of the firm’s Natural Resources Department, focuses on land use and environmental issues, civil litigation and regulatory/administrative law. He has extensive experience with state and federal environmental statutes, including the California Environmental Quality Act, the California Coastal Act and the “Superfund” law. His clients include Fortune 500 companies, municipalities and government agencies and private individuals.

Marcus Reeslund, a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department, centers his practice on strategic patent portfolio management and due diligence. He has built and managed patent portfolios for companies ranging from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 corporations, always aligning portfolio decisions with each client’s near- and long-term business goals. Drawing on nearly a decade of experience as in-house counsel, Reeslund brings a practical, business-focused approach to client service.

Andrew Rothberg, a member of the firm’s Real Estate Department, advises developers and investors on real estate transactions across the full deal lifecycle, from site acquisition and joint venture structuring to development, financing, leasing and disposition. He focuses on multifamily, senior living and mixed-use development projects and draws on broad experience with acquisitions and dispositions of stabilized assets in industrial, retail and hospitality sectors.

Bella Sewall, a member of the firm’s Natural Resources Department, has extensive experience working with federal agencies on interstate and tribal water resource issues and matters involving water law, federal Indian law, administrative law and the National Environmental Policy Act. She brings expertise from her 13 years at the Department of the Interior advising agencies including the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Melissa Thevenot, a member of the firm’s Corporate and Gaming Department, focuses on advising national and international operators, suppliers and investors navigating multijurisdictional gaming compliance frameworks, including sports wagering and iGaming. She regularly counsels clients on the intersection of gaming law with mergers and acquisitions, private equity and financing arrangements and works closely with them to implement compliant market entry and operating strategies.

Mackenzie Warren Kay, a member of the firm’s State Government Relations Group, understands Nevada’s evolving policy needs. Through her close relationships with elected officials and staff at every level of state and local government, she connects with key decisionmakers to drive productive conversations, ultimately reaching sound policy resolutions. Her government affairs practice has a strong focus on Nevada’s most highly legislated sectors, including housing and renewable energy.

Policy Directors

Brandt Anderson, a member of the firm’s Federal Government Relations Department, adeptly navigates the constantly shifting landscape of national security, defense and emerging technologies. He develops and executes advocacy strategies to capitalize on policy inflection points in domestic defense issues, including the annual National Defense Authorization Act and the defense appropriations process. His deep understanding of U.S. security policy and emerging technologies, combined with Republican priorities, makes him a trusted advisor to a broad range of clients.

Mimi Burke, a member of the firm’s Federal Government Relations Department, helps multinational corporations expand their presence in the United States, the Middle East and Asia and represents sovereign governments before U.S. policymakers. Throughout her career, she has developed personal relationships with business leaders and policymakers around the world, which she leverages to navigate the complex social, political and economic barriers for companies looking to expand in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.

Lauren Diekman, a member of the firm’s Federal Government Relations Department, provides strategic international policy counsel for companies across the infrastructure, energy, technology, telecommunication and mining sectors. Her foreign affairs practice draws on strong relationships with the administration, foreign business and domestic private industry leaders, allowing her to serve as a key advisor for those looking to understand changing geopolitical and trade landscapes and guide clients as they navigate global markets.

Maxwell Huntley, a member of the firm’s Federal Government Relations Department, engages with industry, congressional and Department of Defense leaders to anticipate legislation and funding levels for current and developing defense programs. During his years on Capitol Hill and at the White House, he developed close relationships with lawmakers overseeing defense policy and appropriations, including the annual National Defense Authorization Act.