Brownstein Re-Elects Rich Benenson to Third Term as Managing Partner and Names New Executive Committee Members

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is pleased to announce that its shareholders have re-elected Rich Benenson to serve a third term as managing partner. Additionally, Shareholders Stephanie Hastings and Jonathan Pray have been newly elected to the firm’s Executive Committee (EC), while Shareholder Al Mottur has been re-elected. They all began their three-year terms this month.

The firm’s current EC members include: Managing Partner Rich Benenson and Shareholders Gino Maurelli, Nicole Ament, David Cohen and Al Mottur. Hastings and Pray replace Shareholders Elizabeth Paulsen and Angela Otto, who have both demonstrated steadfast leadership and impactful service to the firm throughout their tenure on the EC.

“I’m humbled to be re-elected for another term as managing partner. It’s a privilege to lead Brownstein during such a dynamic period of growth. Congratulations to Stephanie and Jonathan on their appointments to the Executive Committee. I look forward to our collaboration as we shape the firm’s future together. I also want to express my deep gratitude to Elizabeth and Angela for their invaluable leadership and the lasting impact they’ve made on the firm’s strategic direction,” said Benenson.

Since becoming managing partner in 2019, Benenson has steered Brownstein through a period of transformative growth. In 2024, Brownstein achieved record-breaking financial results and strengthened its position as the nation’s top lobbying firm. The firm saw a 9% revenue increase to $289.3 million, nearly a 21% rise in profits per equity partner and a 25% boost in net income. In 2025, the firm announced its 13th office in Tampa, Florida, added a Public Affairs practice group in Washington, D.C., and welcomed a notable group of five lateral partners from Crowell & Moring. This lateral group also marked the opening of Brownstein’s 14th office in New York.

Hastings has over 20 years of expertise in water law and has played a leading role in California’s most complex and precedent-setting water matters. She offers sophisticated legal skills and experience in acquiring, maintaining and protecting water resources and rights. A skilled project manager, Hastings excels at providing strategic advice for complex, dynamic and often novel water matters. She represents commercial agriculture, large-scale land and energy developers, resorts, and public water providers, among others, and drives client success in high-stakes, multiparty transactions and litigation. Additionally, she is a cofounder of the California H2O Women Conference, which empowers and inspires women to enhance the management of California’s and the world’s most valuable and vital natural resource.

Pray, a shareholder who also serves as the firm’s chief legal officer, works to balance the firm’s legal and business interests. He also brings a powerful combination of expertise to his clients in the real estate and construction industries—deep experience as both a litigator and transactional attorney. One of the firm’s lead litigators, he has facilitated the resolution of disputes on some of Denver’s largest development and construction projects. He skillfully handles all manner of real property disputes, including commercial lease disputes and litigation between buyers and sellers. Pray identifies the best solution to help clients obtain ideal outcomes, whether through litigation in state or federal court or in private arbitration.